Samual Gawith’s Brown No.4 Twist is the nearest thing to cigars I’ve tasted without there being a cigar leaf in the blend. That would be a great baccy to convince a cigar smoker to try a pipe imo.
Encouraging New Pipe Smokers
- Thread starter lithicus
- 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
This is super helpful information! I feel like there's a lot of cigar smokers out there that have never tried or really even heard/thought of pipe smoking. I feel, unfortunately, that they'd often first stumble upon aromatics; which I personally don't feel would give a good first impression although I understand many swear by them. I also think that Va's/VaPer's are maybe too... light? So, I would tend to err on the side of english blends for their heavy flavor followed closely by burley blends.
I always wondered what people might suggest to a cigar smoker, but never put my thoughts together enough to think to ask here! I'll make a mental note of Brown No4 Twist in case I run into a curious cigar smoker in the future! Thanks!!
I got back to pipes a few years ago after smoking cigars exclusively for some 15 years.
The first blend I got was Peterson’s Connoisseur‘s Choice, which I liked.
Then a mate gave me a few samples of HIS favourite blends which were Latakia and Oriental blends. WOW - I couldn’t get enough of them, and for a while, smoked them 90% of the time.
I tried a couple of Virginia and VaPers, but they were too “mild” and “cigarette-like” after cigars.
After a couple of years my palate became “re-tuned”. I tried Virginias and VaPers again and I’m now more appreciative of their more subtle nuances.
In wine terms, after years of drinking big bold shirazes and rich Chardonnays, my palate now is firmly in the Pinot and Riesling camp.
For what it's worth, cigar smokers that have seen me smoking a pipe generally make comments like "pipe is too much work" or "doesn't that take a lot of work", etc.
I probably put less work into smoking a bowl and maintenance of my pipes than what they do with cigars. Pipes don't have to be that complicated or that much work. Honestly, I'd start there... "pipe smoking is no harder and no more work and no more complicated than cigar smoking".
Then again, many of these were people mostly smoking $2 gas station sticks.
I probably put less work into smoking a bowl and maintenance of my pipes than what they do with cigars. Pipes don't have to be that complicated or that much work. Honestly, I'd start there... "pipe smoking is no harder and no more work and no more complicated than cigar smoking".
Then again, many of these were people mostly smoking $2 gas station sticks.
That's a really good point, too. I think that it's easy to over complicate things like ways of packing a pipe, dry time / moisture levels, methods of smoking it such as the breath method, matches vs soft flame lighters, pipe shapes, dedicating pipes to tobacco genres, etc etc.
Maybe it will be for the worst. But, I only answered the questions I was asked. He already smoked cigars. I've heard they taste best when sipped as well. He's probably gotten tongue bite in the past. I could've elaborated or gave him tips. But, he's an older gentleman. He doesn't need his hand held. I'm sure he'll figure things out on his own just like most pipe smokers that came before us. Or, he'll start to associate with other pipe smokers and learn from them. The truth is, you put tobacco in the pipe and light it. Will you learn and improve with experience? Absolutely. But, if you want to smoke a pipe you will find ways of doing it to your satisfaction. Not much different than drinking alcohol or really anything else in life.
I'm not sure others would agree or that they found pipes for the same reasons as myself. But, when I first became attracted to pipes, I realized I could just smoke a cigar. But, I still chose pipes. Not only for their beauty, but also because they seemed far more economical that cigars and certainly more economical than cigarettes. You can get half a pound of OJK for $26. Figure 28g to an oz, 3g's to a bowl. That's more than 70 smokes. I don't think you'll be buyin' 70 cigars of any quality for $26
Pipes are even easier than RYO cigarettes. Probably the most thought free form of tobacco I use.
Popular UK broadcaster Richard Vobes has taken to the pipe again, influencing many.
Sometimes, some tobacco remains half-finished, which I smoke the next day, or two or three days later, and it is still a pleasure.
Beautiful pipe! Beautiful grain on the bowl!So, a little over a week ago I had to get all four of my wisdom teeth pulled.
In the exam before the surgery, the surgeon asked if I smoked. I said, cigarettes and a pipe from time to time. He asked how I liked the pipe. I said quite a bit! He told me he smoked cigars. I told him one benefit I had heard of smoking pipes over cigars is that you aren't supposed to relight a cigar, but pipes can be set down for days at a time and smoked later.
Fast forward to my follow up after the surgery. I showed him this picture on my phone, told him the story of @Humblepipe giving me this pipe (which is still one of my favorites), and how great the piping community is. I said if this pipe doesn't get you to smoke a pipe I don't know what will!!
He seemed interested! Asked if it takes a filter, and if you just stuff the tobacco in there. I didn't complicate things for him. Just tried to nudge him to buy a pipe. I told him about Boswells and that there were plenty of cigar smokers, but that we need more pipe smokers! The nurses mentioned another surgeon/dentist that smoked a pipe and they all seemed to enjoy my enthusiasm
Anyway, been a while since I had posted and I think he just might go buy a pipe! Mission accomplished.
Sorry, also meant to ask about your surgery. All four, all pulled out at the same time? Ouch! Hope things okay. They must be, you’re still piping!So, a little over a week ago I had to get all four of my wisdom teeth pulled.
In the exam before the surgery, the surgeon asked if I smoked. I said, cigarettes and a pipe from time to time. He asked how I liked the pipe. I said quite a bit! He told me he smoked cigars. I told him one benefit I had heard of smoking pipes over cigars is that you aren't supposed to relight a cigar, but pipes can be set down for days at a time and smoked later.
Fast forward to my follow up after the surgery. I showed him this picture on my phone, told him the story of @Humblepipe giving me this pipe (which is still one of my favorites), and how great the piping community is. I said if this pipe doesn't get you to smoke a pipe I don't know what will!!
He seemed interested! Asked if it takes a filter, and if you just stuff the tobacco in there. I didn't complicate things for him. Just tried to nudge him to buy a pipe. I told him about Boswells and that there were plenty of cigar smokers, but that we need more pipe smokers! The nurses mentioned another surgeon/dentist that smoked a pipe and they all seemed to enjoy my enthusiasm
Anyway, been a while since I had posted and I think he just might go buy a pipe! Mission accomplished.
Edit/Added: Nevermind. I read the rest of the posted replies!
Thank you! The contrast is truly amazing. I could stare at it for hours. Just mesmerizing...
Yup, doing well! Some stitches are starting to fall out and I'm almost done with my medicated mouthwashSorry, also meant to ask about your surgery. All four, all pulled out at the same time? Ouch! Hope things okay. They must be, you’re still piping!
Edit/Added: Nevermind. I read the rest of the posted replies!
How long does it take you to smoke one that size?
I get 2 smokes out of a 50g tin too, but it's broken up into 10 or more sessions over a period of weeks. 
Many of my pipes are four hour smokes at one sitting or all day with off and on smoking. A 50g tin usually lasts 2-3 days.
Hi all. I started smoking a pipe in August to wean myself off cigarettes. I am still very much in the exploration stage when it comes to different pipes and blends of tobacco. I live in Canada, which can be a nightmare for pipe smokers in terms of cost and access to quality blends. I would be interested to hear from fellow Canadians on the topic of favourite blends, both aromatic and nonaromatic.
What I have found out for myself so far is that I do not like a corncob pipe. It burns way too hot. Regarding blends, I have tried Backwoods Regular. This one I like. I have tried Colts Virginia which I like.
I have also tried, just today for the first time, Borkum Riff Authentic. When I opened the pouch, the tobacco was dry as sticks. Is this typical for this particular blend? If not, what's the best way to get some moisture into the blend? Is it best just to throw it out?
Enjoy the day.
What I have found out for myself so far is that I do not like a corncob pipe. It burns way too hot. Regarding blends, I have tried Backwoods Regular. This one I like. I have tried Colts Virginia which I like.
I have also tried, just today for the first time, Borkum Riff Authentic. When I opened the pouch, the tobacco was dry as sticks. Is this typical for this particular blend? If not, what's the best way to get some moisture into the blend? Is it best just to throw it out?
Enjoy the day.
Dry tobacco, fill the bowl and huff through it a few times. The moisture in your breath will do enough to rehydrate for smoking.
Good advise!Stopping all forms of smoking for a week while I try to avoid dry sockets was roughI'm happy to have my pipes back!
The storage and maintenance of cigars in a humidor or tupperdor is more work than storing pipe tobacco. Something you can mention next time.
Also, if you wanted to smoke a cigar through out the day, or for a few days, you have to smoke it more carefully than a pipe. Meaning, if you just lit it up and puff away pretty fast/heavy, possibly as you reach mid way or towards the end, the flavors can go bad.
While it’s true most people smoke a cigar in one, but I find if you are gentle with it, when it’s out, blow through, know as Purging, knock off the ash a much as possible or snip the end of, you can really make them last for days and still taste great.
Some say with expensive cigars this isn’t good, but where does this Expensive Price Point begin at? Because I’ve done this with an OpusX, and a Cuban Cohiba Robusto and Cuban Montecristo #2, I smoke them for several days, and they were amazing the whole way through. But I had to be gentle and put some work/effort into this as mentioned.