Brand new and looking for help!

[ozymandias]

Hello, all! I am Ian. I just turned 18 in the Ninth and got $120 for my birthday. I have put quite a bit of thought into it, and I decided I would like to take up smoking a pipe.
My question is that which I'm sure has been asked a thousand times: "What would you guys recommend for someone just starting off?"
I want a Cob, as well as a Briar, and a bunch of different tobaccos to try, Ideally.
I have had my eye on this Jobey Stromboli F63 estate pipe:

(Not for it's looks, mind, but for it's price, $40)
As well as this Savinelli Nonpareil Estate:

(I love the look, but it is $65)
I also was planning on getting a Cob. Probably a Missouri Pride.

(Also, I was wondering if it is absolutely necessary to use the filter. Expense, don't you know. I was wondering because I heard that the draw is too loose without one.)
Any advice on general smoking and whatnot would be very much appreciated, and would make me eternally grateful!
Thank you so much for your time.
EDIT: If you have another suggestion in pipes, I would love to hear it, as well. I have no idea if an Oom Paul would be a good pipe for a beginner.

 

[xray]

My 2¢:
Start off with a cob, a few accessories and a few different tobaccos rather than several and then expand to briars and more tobaccos if you decide to stick with it. Don't jump in head first.

 

[markw4mms]

Welcome aboard! I think the two pipes you posted are great ones to have to start your collection. I also agree with getting a cob or two, they are great smokers, and very affordable. About you question on the Oom Paul shape, I really like them, and if you're a clencher, they are hard to beat. The only downside is with any pipe that heavily bent, you can't pass a pipe cleaner all the way through the stem to the bowl.

 

[bigvan]

Oom Pauls can be tricky to clean. I'm not the biggest fan of corn cobs, but they are cost effective. Straight pipes are easier to keep clean. Make sure you have a pipe tool, lots of pipe cleaners and GOOD tobacco, preferably not from a drug store.

 

[ozymandias]

Yeah, I have done enough research to know that "Walmart's Bag o' Bacc" is not the way to go. Have you any recommendations, anyone?

 

[xray]

http://www.puff.com/forums/vb/general-pipe-forum/78493-newbie-sampler-trade-pipes.html

 

[bubblehead33]

im also still learning and youve come to the right place to learn. i have no experiance with either of those style of pipes so im no help to you there. as far as tobacco, 1Q by Lane is a good choice, mild and easy to smoke. hope this was a bit of help to you. any other questions, dont hesitate to ask, theyre all good folks here and theyre knowledgeable and will help you.

 

[crpntr1]

Welcome. If you don't like the look of the pipe, I'd say don't get it because chances ar3 you'll decide you don't like it at all & then you've just wasted time & money. Keep looking, there's plenty of pipes for 30-40 bucks, get a cob while you're looking...make sure its a Missouri meerschaum, very important, & finally I'll second the recommendation for 1Q

 

[ozymandias]

Hmmm. I am thinking that I may just go with the "Get a Cob or Two as well as a couple of tobaccos, and save the rest for later approach."
(The main reason I didn't want to do that is the shipping costs, as well as the fact that I have no idea when I will next get money, for I have no Job/Allowance- Not for lack of trying, mind.)
Which cob could you recommend? The reason I was getting the Pride was because it was the cheapest, but what would you suggest now that funds have opened up?

 

[xray]

http://www.cupojoes.com/cgi-bin/spgm?dpt=H&srch=KW&item=cob2952
http://www.cupojoes.com/cgi-bin/spgm?dpt=D&srch=DD&item=pipnail
http://www.cupojoes.com/cgi-bin/spgm?dpt=D&srch=DD&item=pcs
http://www.cupojoes.com/cgi-bin/spgm?dpt=D&srch=DD&item=brush6

 

[jameral]

"Get a Cob or Two as well as a couple of tobaccos, and save the rest for later approach."

First off welcome to the forum ozymandias. I think this is the best way for you to start off. As far as cobs go, you can't go wrong with anything that Missouri Meerschaum offers. +1 on the 1Q.

 

[ozymandias]

It would appear that two Cobs from Cupojoe's is cheaper than ordering two from MM themselves... Is there a downside to ordering from Cupojoe's?

 

[grizzly86]

Cupojoe's is a reputable site.

 

[cajunguy]

I agree that cobs are a very affordable way to start in the hobby. They take a lot of abuse, are easy to break in, and also easily replaceable. If you are looking to start off with an actual briar pipe, here are my two cents (a lot of which will be a reinforcement of what others have said):
1. You know your price range. Pick a pipe that is attractive to you. If you are buying from a B&M (Brick and Mortar - A Retail shop, like Tinder Box), pick it up, feel the weight. Is it a good fit? Trust me, you'll know.
2. Don't neglect your accessories: pipe cleaners, a pipe tool (A three-way Czech tool is cheap and handy), etc.
3. Many tobacco blenders I've read articles from say the same thing: their primary goal is to blend a tobacco that tastes like it smells. I'm of the opinion that, when starting out, it goes in reverse: find one that smells really good to you, and go from there. Try new things, be adventurous, but most importantly, learn your likes and dislikes
4. Pack light, smoke light (sip, don't draw hard) and remember to clean your pipe after every use. Wait until it cools down, remove the stem, clean the stem, the bowl, and the shank with a pipe cleaner.
5. Don't get discouraged. The hardest part when starting, in my opinion, is learning how to pack your pipe. There are a bunch of different ways to do it. Do some searching on the forums and find a method that makes sense. Practice makes perfect and, eventually, you'll develop your own style of packing.
6. Most Importantly: enjoy and welcome to the forums.

 

[ozymandias]

Okay! Well, I will get Two Corncobs, and 2oz. of 1Q! I am going to throw caution to the wind, (Since I am almost positive I will like it, and there will always be more money to get- after all, I am only 18!) So, I would like suggestions for $50 more of Tobaccos! (Preferably from Smokingpipes.com or Cupojoe's.)
Thank you all for the help thus far! Bubblehead was right! It is great here!

 

[grizzly86]

Check out a couple of tobacco review sites, or the section here, and see what sounds good to you. It is hard to suggest anything not knowing what you like.

 

[ozymandias]

Ahh, I see what you mean! I shall check out the reviews, and see what sounds good to me, considering I don't know what I like either! :mrgreen:

 

[xray]

So, I would like suggestions for $50 more of Tobaccos! (Preferably from Smokingpipes.com or Cupojoe's.)

See the link in my second post. Rather than spend $50, you can but someone a can or two and get a Hell of a lot of samples in return and find what you like. And trying all the different samples is fun!

 

[ozymandias]

Okay! I have got 12 different blends, that I shall buy as soon as my blasted Debit card arrives! (I ordered one of those Walmart Debit card things On the 15th and it STILL hasn't arrived! Frustrating.)

 

[grizzly86]

Let us know how you like them. And fair warning post pics; we like our pipe porn here.