I like the idea of going to a pipe shop when you start out smoking a pipe; you'll learn a lot and be
able to view the pipes in person, even if you pay a dollar or three more for them ... and no shipping.
But doing a lot of looking and shopping is also a good idea, to learn all the different specifications.
You may not want to start out with a filter pipe; it is one more item to buy (filters) and it mutes the
flavors of the tobaccos you try. You probably want a pipe without a stinger, an old fashioned metal
piece in the stem that was supposed to remove moisture. Shopping online, take a look at
tobaccopipes.com and their Chapuis-Comoy pipes for about $31 to $48; their inventory is low, so
a lot of the pipes they show, they don't have -- look for the "Add to my cart" note to show the ones
they actually stock, but these are good briar pipes, well-made and priced below their value. The
Eriksen pipes from Nording are absolutely great, solid, sturdy, well-drilled and priced around $50,
and will last a lifetime. Cup O Joes has some unstamped Butz-Choquin pipes at the very end of
the BC series that look like fine pipes from a good maker, for only $44. And last but not least,
look at Iwan Ries Exclusives pipes, which from about $36 to $52; made by Benton, these are great
quality pipes in handsome traditional designs in compact or full (Group 4) sizes. Any of these pipes
will do just fine, for a first pipe or to build a rotation. These are NOT the only good pipes in the
$50 to $60 range, but if you patiently look at all of them, you will learn something about pipes, and
quite a bit about what you want personally, just in terms of taste. Then go to the pipe shop and see
what they have to offer. Last time I was at my independent pipe shop, they had a beautiful little
straight Dublin by a good maker, Brebbie, for exactly $50, bingo. I didn't buy it because I have,
um, quite a few pipes, but I'm tempted.
: at home of course.
