First Post and Question

[gamecockpiper]

Hey everyone, this (as you can tell) is my first post, from a VERY new pipe smoker. Long story short I've always (at least originally) hated tobacco and thought it was only trouble...until a few good friends took up the pipe. Well, I've always been interested in that one particular form of smoking and knowing they were not the type to do something blatantly harmful I researched it and came to the conclusion that in moderation, not inhaling, it's no big issue. The stress relief and aid to concentration for me as well are good things. Being a college student, that helps a lot with my work. So a few weeks ago I picked up a Dr. Grabow "Royal Duke" and some Captain Black Royal, and it wasn't bad! Except that it had an almost spicy taste I didn't expect. I figured it's the briar breaking in, but I thought Grabows were Pre-Smoked? Are they not anymore? and if not, how long should a break-in usually take? Sorry for the length there, and can't wait to get this "lit and burning properly" as my father used to say.

 

[petes03]

+1 roth, and welcome to the forum!

 

[05venturer]

IMHO your best bet is to pick up a couple Missouri Meerschaum Corn Cob pipes. Very forgiving and great smoking pipes with virtually zero break in required.Also pick up a couple different tobacco to try out. I would highly recommend Carter Hall for a good no nonsense tasty burley that is readily available. Get your technique down a bit then start to explore a few more tobaccos until you find what you really enjoy.

Welcome to the Club ::

 

[gamecockpiper]

Great advice y'all- thanks! I'll be sure to keep my eye out for the cobs and building that cake. Won't the paper towel in the bowl rub it out though?

 

[judcole]

Welcome aboard.

 

[samanden]

Great advice everyone. I'll add this: when I first got started, I received some great, early advice from dubinthedam. He told me that it will take roughly 100 bowls in a pipe before you will begin...to begin to get it. Sure you're pipe will develop a good carbon coating before then, but it will take more time before you will be able to discern the flavors. It was about this time (100 bowls in) that I could tell the differences between aromatics, Va-Pers, Virginias, and English (which are the easiest to define in terms of flavor distinction). And even after that there is still some more learning to do.

 

[barleynbaccy]

Welcome to the forums. The precarbed bowls tend to give me the same bity/spicy weird taste as well when I get them. You could sand them out but the taste tends to go away after a couple bowls. I agree with everyone else give a cob a try.

 

[gamecockpiper]

The Rite-Aid where I got my Grabow (commence chuckling at any time haha)had a few MMs I noticed after I got the Grabow, go figure- so I'll definitely try to pick up a few there or from online if I can. Heard a lot of good about cobs so far.
@coalsmoke-Those look pretty cool, I'll be sure to check them out when I can. Maybe once I get a decent place to store more than one or two pipes I can start making a decent rotation with them, thanks!
@samanden-I'm glad you said that, It was a question lurking in the back of my mind how long that would take, although I noticed it's tasting better the more I smoke (only about 8, maybe 10 bowls so far) so I guessed it was just a matter of time. Cool!

 

[phred]

Wow - you actually found a Grabow at a Rite-Aid? The ones around here primarily carry cigs and chew - haven't seen a pipe anywhere a customer could accidentally find one.
I'll +1 the cob suggestion in order to give your briar time to rest - and specifically, ensuring that you get ones with a hardwood bottom. I just jammed the pick from a pipe tool through the floor of one of my 'smokable seconds' in a moment of distraction...
Welcome to the forums, and good luck with the Grabow!

 

[fitzy]

I would suggest you also look at some in expensive bulk tobacco's over at smokingipes.com or pipesandcigars.com.
You'll be smoking better quality tobacco than CB on the cheap.

 

[gamecockpiper]

@phred- Yeah man, both near me have tobacco but only one had pipes on display too so I went to that one.
@fitzy- I'll definitely take a look! Can't wait to get some more room (maybe once I get my own place?) to really get a collection of pipes and tobacco going. Mom lumps pipes in with cigs so I don't hide it per se...although I haven't told her I have it. I also keep it tucked out of sight, however if she asks I'd tell her so I don't feel like I'm lying, I just don't consider it a big enough issue to bring up out of nowhere and cause contention. Dad was a cig chain smoker which was a big reason for their divorce, so she has a very negative "broad brush" outlook. I may have to wait til I move back to school before I buy anything else :/

 

[Perique]

I'm a big fan of the newer Grabows . However, I've noticed the initial break-in is rough. There's some kind of initial bowl coating that needs to be burned off. After that, and with a nice cake, I think they're great smokers. Amd a great value.
If they're "pre-smoked", it must be by a dragon.