Bullet Points for a Novitiate

[javajunkie]

hello! avid fan of the leaf, mostly cigars for the past decade (rather active and somewhat helpful on another forum for cigars, same name), but after years of trying and failing to learn the briar, i recently got my EUREKA moment. between learning proper pacing for cigars, and having several very strong recommendations to dunhill nightcap, i finally sat down and had my first (hopefully of many) amazing smoking experience with a pipe.
i am perfectly happy to take my time and peruse all that has already been offered up on this forum, but i do have to ask: three most important thing to bear in mind when starting out with a pipe! bullet points, short and sweet.
thanks for any input, and thank you for what looks like a very cool community.

 

[garyovich]

1) smoke slower

2) do what works for you

3) smoke slower
Edit: welcome to the forum!

 

[shaintiques]

1. Clean your pipes after every smoke!

 

[Perique]

1. Try every tobacco you can. If you don't like it, set it aside and come back to it 6 mos later. As you find your preferred tobaccos, never buy one tin - always two. Smoke one and set another aside for a few years. This is how you slowly build your cellar. (For bulks, buy double, ie: 4 oz instead of 2. Jar half)
2. Pipe smoking is hard. Can't learn it by reading. Cut yourself some slack and just practice. Don't give up. Bliss awaits you. be persistent.
3. Buy clean estate pipes (from a good vendor, not EBay). You will have a much more enjoyable experience with a broken in pipe, and get twice the pipe for your money, maybe thrice.

 

[pstlpkr]

* Check out the "How-To" videos and articles in the left hand column....

Just scroll down a bit.

You'll see them.
Welcome aboard!
::

 

[martiniman]

Ditto.........
Welcome aboard.

 

[zdwebb12]

My top three bullet points would be:
1.) Smoke Slow
2.) If you're not enjoying the smoke, then stop.
3.) Try different tobaccos!
Great source of information: Reddit.com/r/pipetobacco FAQ

 

[judcole]

• * Take your time[/*]
• * Don't feel you have to try every single blend out there. Definitely explore different types of blends, but (for example) if you try 6 different VaPers and don't like any of them, cross that type off your list, and go on to something else. You can revisit that type in a few years[/*]
• * Smoke the best tobacco you can afford, in the best pipes you can afford.[/*]

 

[javajunkie]

thanks all for the input! a lot of things i had read, and some i am figuring out, but it nice to see the emotionally invested voice out on it. and, please, keep adding to this list. i know more of you have input, and i can't be the only one who needs this. o)
oh, and thank you all for the warm welcome.

 

[cynyr]

Patience is the First Virtue of the Jedi. Only when a Jedi has mastered himself can he hope to master the Force.
Therefore, give everything a chance.

Smoke slow, then slower.

Forget the pipe, focus on the internal.

Buying quality saves tears of regret.

Always post pictures.

 

[jah76]

IMO
1. Tobacco > Pipes

2. Whats going on in your head, in your environment, and in your drinking glass is all part of the experience just as much as the pipe and tobacco.

3. Your part of a community and tradition.
Welcome!
LOL @ Cynyr. Yes ALWAYS post pictures.

 

[eibhir]

Hello!

1. Take your pipe everywhere you go.

2. Don't forget your tamper or[and] lighter.

3. Keep your pipe clean.

Your starting a great and fun journey!
Edit: The former won't do much good without the latter. :D L.

 

[zdwebb12]

+1 eibhir
Can't count how many times I've left home without the pipe only to be gone longer than I thought and dying for some creamy baccy smoke.

 

[withnail]

1. Smoke slowly.
2. When starting out, keep notes on which blends you like or dislike - that way you'll get to see which tobacco types you get on well with.
3. Don't get hung up on the "art" of smoking, just enjoy
Have fun

 

[cortezattic]

From the corncob guru John Patton (tiltjlp):

• ■ Use tobacco that's drier than you think it should be
  
  ■ Pack it looser than...
  
  ■ Smoke it slower than...

I would add...

• ■ Tamp it more lightly than...
  
  ■ Don't be afraid to dump ashes before re-lights.

 

[spartan]

Welcome back Withnail.
Been a while since I've seen you around.

----------------------------------------------------
1. Smoke slow

2. Clean your pipes

3. Rest your pipes
There should be about 10 other bullet points... but you get the picture.
It's like asking, give me 3 things I need to do to be a good dad.
1. Feed it

2. Bathe it

3. Stop calling your child "it"

Many other bullets to follow....
Happy smoking. ::