Beginner Essentials

[plumbwader]

Hello everyone. I have been intrigued with pipe smoking for a very long time but have been hesitant to try for lack of knowledge. What are the essential tools and supplies I need to get started? I am not a cigarette smoker but I do enjoy cigars, mostly on the milder side. I have absolutely no experience with pipes so long winded detailed explanations are greatly appreciated!

 

[zitotczito]

From your post, I am guessing you have never smoked a pipe before.
Needs:
1.) Pipe-start with a cob, inexpensive and great pipe.

2.) Matches or lighter and not a torch.

3.) Some pipe cleaners

4.) Pipe tool

5.) Tobacco
Now you can look at the Featured Articles on this site for pipe basics or on Pipes and Cigars site and Russ O gives some good info.
PM me your addy and I will send you a package for you to give this a go and if you find that it's your thing you can expand into this great hobby. If not you lose nothing.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Spending a few hours in the forum will get you started. No point in getting long winded here! You're already in the right sub forum.

 

[foolwiththefez]

zitotczito nailed it on the head. Just be careful to get a Missouri Meerschaum corncob, not a cheap Chinese cob.

 

[plumbwader]

OK i just ordered me a Missouri Meerschaum corncob pipe. Is there any kind of kit, i.e. cleaning, tamping, lighter that I should get? What about tobacco? It seems like most everyone recommends Lane Ltd. 1Q.

 

[zitotczito]

PM received and replied to. Wait until you get your package and then go from there. As we all say here go slowly. If you really get into pipes, PAD (Pipe Addiction Disorder) and TAD (Tobacco Addiction Disorder) will get you soon enough. As far as the lighter goes, either matches or a BIC will do for starters.

 

[derfatdutchman]

First welcome to forum! The best advice I can give you is don't get discouraged, it may seem in the beginning you burn more matches than tobacco. Learning how to pack your pipe properly will be biggest part of the learning curve. The good thing is that are several good video's about how to pack a pipe on You Tube. Happy smoking!

 

[zitotczito]

Package on it's way. Enjoy

 

[iamn8]

Very cool Zito!!

 

[plumbwader]

Damn Zito how cool is that? Thanks a lot my friend I truly appreciate it. Totally stoked about burning my first bowl!!

 

[ophiuchus]

Package on it's way. Enjoy

I'm not even on the receiving end, and I want to thank you for your quick generosity. :clap:

 

[deathmetal]

Cob, Prince Albert, pipe cleaners and patience?

 

[velotrain]

> PAD (Pipe Addiction Disorder)
I've mostly seen it described as Pipe Acquisition Disorder?

 

[jpmcwjr]

They both work! Somewhat different psychological sets, but often related.

 

[prairiedruid]

Congrats and welcome to the forum. Zito covered the basics to get started. I recommend have something to drink while smoking such as tea or lemonade. Go slow, don't worry about it going out and relighting. May take several bowls before you start noticing some of the flavors as your palate adjusts. Go slow and sip your pipe to avoid tongue bite. If things start getting hot just stop have a drink and let the pipe cool down and start again. It will take you awhile to develop a packing and smoking pace that works best for you so don't get discouraged if you don't find the "magic" right away. It took me several weeks to get things figured out and I'm still refining my technique now a year later.

 

[travelergypsy]

As a new pipe smoker myself (only a few weeks into this amazing hobby) This is what I've learned:

1: Take it slow. If you feel like you are taking it slow, you're probably not. There is no such thing as a quick smoke.

2: There are not really any essentials aside from a pipe and tobacco. What kind of pipe, what kind of tobacco, those are each personal choices. (However, it is possible to land a $18 hardwood POS basket pipe from a cigar shop. That's what I started on.)

3: Enjoy yourself! If you don't like a blend, then move on until you find something you do like.

PM me your addy and I will send you a package for you to give this a go and if you find that it's your thing you can expand into this great hobby. If not you lose nothing.

As you have already discovered, the pipe community is a very generous one!

Zito: You are generous!

 

[crashthegrey]

Welcome and good luck. If you find it suits you, you'll have a whole world open up to you. It's a great community of people, too.

 

[gentlesmoke]

This forum is truly amazing ! So many helpful members. I'm a newbie(although I did smoke a pipe for a few years in the 1980's) and felt somewhat overwhelmed by what was on offer !
I'm a St Bruno's smoker, and enjoy smoking herbal mixes.

 

[jvnshr]

Zito :clap: