My first tobacco pipe was a MM Cob I bought at Liberty Tobacco in SD and a couple ounces of bulls eye flake outta the big jar. It didn't take that time, i was just getting into the Cubans and that def took, was glad i didn't spend a lot of money to find out i wasn't into it at the time.
Beginner's Pipes.
- Thread starter bullet08
- Start date
SmokingPipes.com Updates
Watch for Updates Twice a Week
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
Site Sponsors
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
I think this is a personality test. Some people will always start smoking a pipe by studying the pipes available and get the best quality pipe for the lowest possible cost, be it a cob or a standard brand briar.
Other people don't consider they have given pipe smoking a try unless they get something costing hundreds of dollars. I guess if they decide not to smoke, they keep it as a momento just in case they decide to try again.
You can get a high functioning pipe for under $50 and a pipe that will never smoke right for $350 or $650 on up. It's between you and your bank account. You have to do it your way.
Other people don't consider they have given pipe smoking a try unless they get something costing hundreds of dollars. I guess if they decide not to smoke, they keep it as a momento just in case they decide to try again.
You can get a high functioning pipe for under $50 and a pipe that will never smoke right for $350 or $650 on up. It's between you and your bank account. You have to do it your way.
I started out when I was an undergraduate, on an allowance from Dad
No way could I afford anything fancy
I bought tobacco (OTCs) a pouch at a time and eked it out until my next allowance arrived
But hey, I persisted - in the days before the www
Even though there was no guidance until a few years later when I found a knowledgeable tobacconist in an arcade under my office
No way could I afford anything fancy
I bought tobacco (OTCs) a pouch at a time and eked it out until my next allowance arrived
But hey, I persisted - in the days before the www
Even though there was no guidance until a few years later when I found a knowledgeable tobacconist in an arcade under my office
A lot of what's considered a beginners pipe comes down to the experience level and resources of that particular beginner. Cobs aren't perfect. But they are a decent system to learn on. It's the same school of thought that's leading me to get my teenage daughter a 15 year old Civic or S-10 rather than a brand new Elantra.
I mean, if you buy a 50 dollar flute, violin, or guitar, it doesn't sound the same as these instruments mentioned, but with a cost of 10,000 dollars. I mean, quality is the key to success for enjoyment. Even if you don't know how to blow the damn flute. That is, if the damn cheap flute, even if you are an expert blower, will never sound like a fucking $10,000 flute. Damn, it's like if you smoke a wet skunk and then go for a shit in the woods on your bike, at 2am in the middle of a thunderstorm. I don't know if I have made myself clear.
I have to respectfully disagree that cobs aren't a good beginner's pipe. I started with cobs and just started smoking, no break-in, pipe mud, or voodoo rituals needed. I found them pretty easy to use as a beginner, and the experience taught me how to avoid rim char before I ever even touched a briar. I find them to be the best option for someone starting out because they smoke great and cost pennies.Well, this thread took quite a different turn than the last one I remember participating in in regards to cobs... where the idea conveyed was that people who smoked cobs are lazy...I have started a few folks out on them and lets just say if you recommend a cob, you just earned yourself a lot of mentoring with break-in, pipe mud, etc. Maybe not the best idea for an internet recommendation, where you can't be there to say, "don't lick the flame over the rim" on the first light lol. On here, I'd agree it's best to recommend a Grabow/Brigham/Rossi or the like.
Any sort of pipe would be just fine for someone just starting out. Meerschaum would be fine as long as it's block meerschaum, and not the cheap crap made from dust mixed with adhesive. Those abominations shouldn't even be on the market.
Clays, being fragile and running a little hot, might not be the best option for a beginner, but certainly serviceable as long as they know what they're getting into.
Clays, being fragile and running a little hot, might not be the best option for a beginner, but certainly serviceable as long as they know what they're getting into.
My first was a MM Country Gentleman from Topp Shelf Tobacco in Evans, GA, back in 2008, and some Lane's 1Q the shop owner Russ had under a store brand name. Although awkward and brand spanking new to pipes, I was hooked from the first time lighting up. I had been smoking cigars for many years but cigars have pretty much taken a backseat to my pipes since that day. They just keep aging in my cooler and humidors until needed. MM cobs are still my daily and favorite pipes to smoke.
I've had great smokes out of basic (low cost) briars as well as cobs. I don't think learning to smoke a pipe with one of these would lessen the enjoyment.
If a person wanted to spend a month's salary on a pipe, and had the luck to buy a well functioning pipe, and had the skill to master the technique, I'm sure that could be a pleasant experience. But not a requirement. Some basic briars and cobs smoke as well as any.
If a person wanted to spend a month's salary on a pipe, and had the luck to buy a well functioning pipe, and had the skill to master the technique, I'm sure that could be a pleasant experience. But not a requirement. Some basic briars and cobs smoke as well as any.
Yes, but instruments are engineered for sound quality, a pipe is just a pretty straw. Really hard to mess up unless you just don't care about what you're making. A precision music instrument enhances the skill of the player but the smoker's ability reflects more on the smokability of a pipe than the pipe itself.
Totally agree. I had some cobbs and misc estates but things really started popping for me when I bought my Peterson 303. It really taught me how to smoke a pipe. Now I have four Petes.