Getting Back in the Groove: Beginner Questions

[Sig]

That's not saying much.



Really not much difference between the two excluding cut of tobacco. Even some blends touted as pipe tobacco that are shag cut can be used as RYO. On the other hand, even flakes and plug cuts can be processed into RYO.

I buy plenty of the RYO pipe tobacco. Its bone dry, cut like cigarette tobacco and tastes pretty bad in a pipe in my opinion. Ive had a bunch, this is the current batch. $4.85 for 6 ounces, and it sucks. Also, it comes from the cigarette manufacturing line, so has all the added chemicals. This bag is about 4 years old and feels, smells, and tastes like it did 4 years ago. It has that typical cigarette smell when lit. Unlike any purpose made pipe tobacco ive ever smelled.
I have rolled and smoked many pipe blends over the decades.
My point is that this is not even acceptable pipe tobacco. Ive heard plenty of people complain after buying it. Its extremely mild in a pipe, because its meant to be inhaled.
In the words of Admiral Ackbar, "Its a trap!"

 

[ParkitoATL]

You've painted a clear picture of the modern pipe smoking landscape, and I truly appreciate the insights. The shift towards pipe smoking as an occasional enjoyment, reflected in the prevalence and pricing of 2-ounce tins, is a fascinating trend.


It's reassuring to hear my little corn cob pipes are still an excellent choice and that there are no bad craft blends – that's incredibly encouraging for exploring new tobaccos. The rise of custom carvers and the continued reliability of factory brands also points to a vibrant, quality-driven market.

It sounds like we truly are in a golden age of pipe smoking.


This is all incredibly helpful as I get back into the swing of things. Given this "golden age," I'm curious:

• Beyond personal preference, what factors are driving the popularity of craft blends and custom pipes today? Is it a luxury market?
• For someone dipping their toes into this wide world of quality, are there any particularly good entry points for exploring either new craft tobaccos or custom pipes without breaking the bank?

Thank you for this grounded and enthusiastic perspective; it makes the journey ahead all the more inviting.

This post feels very ChatGPT.

 

[andrew]

I buy plenty of the RYO pipe tobacco. Its bone dry, cut like cigarette tobacco and tastes pretty bad in a pipe in my opinion. Ive had a bunch, this is the current batch. $4.85 for 6 ounces, and it sucks. Also, it comes from the cigarette manufacturing line, so has all the added chemicals. This bag is about 4 years old and feels, smells, and tastes like it did 4 years ago. It has that typical cigarette smell when lit. Unlike any purpose made pipe tobacco ive ever smelled.
I have rolled and smoked many pipe blends over the decades.
My point is that this is not even acceptable pipe tobacco. Ive heard plenty of people complain after buying it. Its extremely mild in a pipe, because its meant to be inhaled.
In the words of Admiral Ackbar, "Its a trap!"
View attachment 405150

Damn my parents brought me a bag of the gold back from the US, I live in canada, it was completely unexpected, but yeah it sucked. I had it for years. 4 aces sucks and yes it's cheap cigarette tobacco

 

[khiddy]

This post feels very ChatGPT.

Yeah, the OP was already run out of another forum in the past few days, but until he posts about this amazing horde of vintage tins that he’s seeking advice on whether to acquire, he seems harmless enough.

 

[elvishrunes]

Yeah, the OP was already run out of another forum in the past few days, but until he posts about this amazing horde of vintage tins that he’s seeking advice on whether to acquire, he seems harmless enough.

Yeah where can I wire my cash to get some of them tins…

 

[PApiper63]

Welcome to the forum. You have a nice set of pipes to start off with. I lived in Underhill, VT and other towns for 16 years so I understand the limited resources you have available.

Skip the honey. Just pack it and smoke it. There is also a debate about if building a layer of cake on the chamber wall is necessary. I am in the no cake crowd. I wipe out the bowl with a wadded up paper towel after every smoke and have never needed to ream a bowl. It’s a debatable subject that you can research on this forum and make up your own mind.

I have been smoking a pipe for over 40 years and have always wiped out my pipe bowls with the waded up paper towel. Much to my wife's chagrin I smoke a good bit ...6-8 bowls daily. I have literally smoked thousands of bowls out of the few of my favorite pipes and most of them have never required reaming.
Also, if it looks like pipe, smoking is here to stay for you, perhaps think about getting into some light restoration. It really isn't difficult in some great pipes can be picked up for a relatively inexpensive price. I enjoy combing through antique stores and finding old pipes to fix up and restore.
Lastly, be patient. Pipe smoking requires a bit of practice but once you get it, the results are great. Good luck on your journey.

 

[Pipe_Guard]

Syrian Latakia is a question,

The source of it is gone, but all acounts report that old man Mac baren purchased such a large amount of it in the 70s that they have never had any risk of running out.

Yet everyone supposedly dislikes the mac baren syrian latakia blend... odd huh

 

[JBob]

Besides a tamper, reamer, pipe cleaners and a soft flame lighter (or a lot of matches) there's really nothing essential by way of equipment. Mind you this is coming from a guy who has at least a dozen of each of those items!

Savinelli is still my recommendation for a pipe to start with, though there are other brands that are comparable. There are pipes today made of strawberry wood, olive, morta (bog oak), meerschaum, etc.. IMHO meerschaum is a decent alternative but nothing else is as satisfactory as briar.

If you had a favorite tobacco back then, let us know. If it's no longer around maybe someone can recommend an alternative.

Are all savinellis good? Which would you recommend I buy as the first non-cob (all I have so far is 4 cobs). I'm a newbie.. thanks much!

 

[dottlejockey]

...see below...
(double post)

 

[dottlejockey]

Are all savinellis good? Which would you recommend I buy as the first non-cob (all I have so far is 4 cobs). I'm a newbie.. thanks much!

If budget isn't a concern, grab the one that suits your aesthetic fancy.

If you'd like to keep the cost down and are open to estate pipes, check ebay or reputable online vendors for estate options. Might find a deal on something you like in a higher grade than you would get new.

I also have to give a nod to Stanwell pipes. Never smoked a bad one.

Happy hunting!

 

[lraisch]

Are all savinellis good? Which would you recommend I buy as the first non-cob (all I have so far is 4 cobs). I'm a newbie.. thanks much!

I've never had a bad Savinelli, but keep in mind, most of mine were bought in the 70's. The current production seems just as good except for some cosmetic quibbles. I don't think you'll go wrong with one.

 

[SmokingInTheWind]

Are all savinellis good? Which would you recommend I buy as the first non-cob (all I have so far is 4 cobs). I'm a newbie.. thanks much!

When I started out I had a bunch of cobs, which I still smoke and have added more. My second briar pipe was a Savinelli Tre series 104 model. A nice, medium sized billiard shaped pipe. I chose the Tre series because they do not take filters. The stems are acrylic which I don’t generally like for clenching but it is well shaped and thin at the mouth piece so it doesn’t feel bad on my teeth when clenched. I think the Tre rusticated pipes give you good bang for the buck. Mine is a smooth model but if I buy another Tre it will be rusticated.

If you want a filtered pipe I have no experience with that.

 

[lawdawg]

I've never had a bad Savinelli,

Same. They are (in my personal opinion) the most reliably well-made, good-smoking, reasonably affordable factory pipes.