Beginner Pipe and Tobacco Plan

[elwoodblues]

Hi everyone! Just received my first pipe as a birthday present a week or so ago, so I think I have found a new hobby. It's made of pearwood and it's very similar to this one, just has a eagle on it instead of a dragon.

https://www.amazon.com/Carved-Tobacco-Smoking-Dragon-Pouch/dp/B004E5I6X0/ref=pd_day0_121_8?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=NQXCW4T4KZ6DZ4Z6KZ98
So far, I've smoked maybe 3 or 4 bowls of Captain Black gold in it and 2 bowls of Carter Hall. Nothing but the best, LOL! Picked up a MM Corn Cob legend the other day, haven't used it yet. I've been reading a lot and I think I'll keep the cob for Aromatics (and experimenting with new tobaccos) and leave the pearwood pipe for non-aromatic tobaccos. I'm thinking I'll maybe try a Virginia in it (and eventually burleys if those are compatible with the VAs). But definitely open to other ideas. Then maybe pickup another pipe for English blends (since those are likely to ghost?)
Thanks for reading my diatribe. Looking forward to learning more.
Edited by jvnshr: Title capitalization.

 

[olkofri]

Welcome to the forums!

 

[deathmetal]

Glad to have you here.
If I could go back... my advice would be to get a bunch of cobs, some Burley blends, and start learning to smoke.
Six months to a few years later, when I got the technique down, it would be time to buy those 1oz samples.

 

[mikethompson]

Welcome aboard to the best forum on the internet. As wise old sages sablebrush and mso (you'll get to know them if you hang around here) told me when I started, the most important thing to do when starting your piping journey is to relax and enjoy.
Don't worry about relights

Don't worry about your packing technique

Don't worry about your breathing
It will all come to you with practice. Also PAD and TAD (pipe acquisition disorder and tobacco acquisition disorder).

 

[elwoodblues]

Thanks for the replies everyone. Really nice forum.
I think I'm already getting PAD and TAD...doesn't help at all that the closest gas station to me is also a (small) smoke shop!

 

[anthonyrosenthal74]

Ok. Just to put this out there. I've had two of those pipes. One with a dragon and one with a tiger. And the shank cracked on both of them. It's quite possible user error was involved, as I was a new smoker at the time. That being said, those pipes smoke wonderfully, and in fact made my first journeys into pipe smoking enjoyable. But be very careful with them. After smoking, I would wait at least a day before removing the stem on those. Caused by a flaw or excess moisture, I don't know, but one of mine the shank cracked when removing and replacing the stem 5 hours after a smoke. I'm not knocking someone's gift at all, just a bit of friendly advise that those need perhaps a little more care than other pipes. Simply run a pipe cleaner after smoking. As mentioned already, get a couple cobs at least, so you can rest the pear wood at least a day or two between smokes.
All that being said, there's a wealth of information to learn here and it seems the learning never really ends. Welcome to the forum! Glad to have you here ::

 

[elwoodblues]

Thanks, good to know about the pearwood. Thought I read that somewhere that they're a little delicate. So far, I only smoke a few days a week at night, so especially with a cob or two thrown in I can let 'er rest.
Any comments on my plan on using it for Virginas and/or Virginia blends?

 

[olkofri]

Hopefully someone comments here on that particular wood's inherent properties. Some woods, like olive wood, barely ghost; thus, you can use them to try different blends, kinda like cobs in that regard. Some woods can be less tolerant of heat, and in that case I'd avoid using a pipe made of such wood for tobaccos/blends that tend to burn hot (such as aromatics).
Again, hopefully someone will chime in with the particularities and idiosincrasies of pear wood. I'd wait for that input before making decisions.

 

[anthonyrosenthal74]

Any comments on my plan on using it for Virginas and/or Virginia blends?

It should smoke them just fine. Just smoke slow, and if the pipe feels like it's getting too hot, let it sit for a few minutes. Relights are perfectly fine, we all do it.

 

[metalheadycigarguy]

Welcome to the forums and welcome to the hobby of pipes. May your journey bring you many wonderful smokes and great experiences.

 

[newbroom]

Most ghosting is not lasting. General maintenance (pipe cleaners, etc.) should keep it relatively clear.

In the beginning, you are learning to taste, while avoiding heat both in your 'ember' and on your tongue.

Less complicated but still tasty 'codger' blends are recommended for their ease in burning, minimal additives, and availability.

Cob seconds are available in lots of 10 in a grab bag from Missouri Meerschaum that are less than the cost of the most inexpensive single briar pipes.
Enjoy your newfound pastime! It can be rewarding.

 

[sumusfumus]

Welcome......You'll learn a lot from the guys/gals on this forum. PLEASE, do yourself a favor and watch all the You-Tube videos that show correct techniques for packing, smoking, cleaning pipes, and the videos that discuss all the different tobacco selections, blends, critiques, etc. You-Tube is a pipe-smokers' school.
Do treat yourself to some premium aromatics, and straight tobacco blends. "Tobacco Reviews" is a great place to get information regarding many of the popular tobacco mixtures, as well as this forum. However, it's all subjective. In the end, it's what tobacco blends YOU like and enjoy. Buy sample packets of many different blends. You'll get to know what you prefer to smoke.
The learning curve can be slow, but the ride is fun. Above all....enjoy your new hobby. Relax, sip some smoke, lose yourself in a tobacco reverie......
Frank

 

[elwoodblues]

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone. I will check out the videos, there's so much to learn.
One more question - I see people wanting to build a cake up in a pipe, but I've been cleaning them out every smoke with pipe cleaners and either rubbing alcohol or rum. Is that ok?

 

[panamacharlie]

I have been smoking for many years, I have never built cake nor do I want to.

 

[saltedplug]

This is just my opinion. Others will disagree and that's good thing because we are all different.
In my opinion at the beginning you are trying to do two things:

1) pipes - smoke on the cheap until you define how much you can spend that will fit in your budget and what style of pipe you think you'll like. This will probably take time.

2) I disagree with the advice limiting tobacco to simple burleys, although there's nothing really wrong with it either. My point is that there is a wide world of blends awaiting, and for my money the time to start training your palate to distinguish between would be now. Virginia, burly, perique, cavendish, latakia, oriental are the major categories, and blending techniques by the manufacturer and the blender's skills up front make the combinations virtually limitless. I wouldn't expect to come up on these tastes quickly.
Developing a palate that can discriminate and fully taste and a smoking pace that keeps the heat within the range that the sensitive oral tissue and tongue can tolerate might be the focus of your smoking. Also, have fun!

 

[mso489]

Welcome aboard elwood'. It sounds like you have what you need to get started. Presume you have pipe cleaners, matches or a lighter, and a pipe tool, a little $1.19 pipe nail will do fine for scooping and tamping, or a $2 Czech tool. I'd suggest you keep buying tobacco in small quantities for a while, an ounce of bulk, a pouch, or a tin, since your tastes will evolve and change. The pear wood and cob will probably hold you for a while, while you learn to smoke. A Stanwell, Big Ben, Savinelli or other good briar pipe in an affordable series will eventually come your way, I think. This is all for enjoyment, so don't sweat the details. Have fun.

 

[jorchamp]

When I started a tobacconist recommended Dunhill Early Morning Pipe. Easy smoking and yet engaging. It had great flavor and kept me away from drugstore brands. Later Dunhill Light become a constant companion. Buy a good pipe from a tobacconist but don't more that your budget and you will enjoy it more.

 

[judcole]

Welcome to the forums and pipe smoking. I will echo jorchamp's advice. Buy the best pipes you can afford, and smoke the best tobacco you can afford. It will increase your enjoyment of the hobby.

 

[mcitinner1]

There's something about needing a "plan" that sounds weird and wrong to me. It's the curmudgeon rebel in me. :mrgreen:

 

[mso489]

I understand the recommendation to buy an up-market pipe, but keep it within your budget, whatever that may be. You can get a good briar pipe in the lower price category if you shop carefully, stick with good brands, and maybe pick up on a sale. If you can splurge a little, more power to you.