I Only Have $X...What do I buy?

[baronsamedi]

We get questions on here all the time from people who ask, "I only have (insert number) Dollars and want to try pipe smoking, what do I buy?" I decided to start this thread so we can can refer people to some our own ideas when the question comes up. I'll start...
I only have $15- MM Legend $4.99 and 4oz of 1-Q from P&C $8.96 (may need a little extra for shipping).
I only have $20- Same as above, but a MM Great Dane Spool $8.25 instead
I only have $30- Same as above, but now you can afford pipe cleaners!
I only have $50- Wellington medium smooth billiard $32.00 from P&C and the 1-Q (may need a couple of dollars for shipping)

 

[waznyf]

This is a good idea! Although there are many pipe options, at least this will give new pipe smokers a place to start looking and some brand names to look at. I would like to add Dr. Grabow pipes to the list. They are decent pipes and are fairly cheap (~$20-$40).

I remember not knowing where to start so I just purchased a plastic pipe from the local tobacco shoppe for about $17.

Hopefully new smokers with a lower budget will run across this thread and use it to help them start the quest for their first pipe.

 

[cortezattic]

$50.00 PipesAndCigars.com Special Gift Pack Sale

$47.95 Gift Pack Includes:

Two (2) tins of pipe tobaccos from Sutliff Private Stock – tobacco tins will vary based on current stock

A Wellington Sandblast Medium Pipe

1 bundle of BJ Long’s Medium Pipe Cleaners

A Czech Tool

A Cork Knocker

Some wooden matches

 

[brian64]

+1 to all of the above.
@waznyf: Grabows are a great suggestion for a new piper with little $ to start. But, just my opinion, if you still have that plastic pipe, throw it out. I'd strongly suggest that no one ever, ever smoke a plastic pipe (again, just imho).

 

[barkar]

Both these starter kits are available from 4noggins

www.4noggins.com
Pipe Starter Kit #1

Price: $34.95
Medico Pipe of my choice (based on availability), 2 oz. Capt. Black Tobacco, Czech Pipe Tool, Bundle of Pipe Cleaners, and a Zip Top Tobacco Pouch.
Pipe Starter Kit #2

Price: $49.95
Savinelli Morino Pipe of my choice (based on availability), 2 oz. Capt. Black Tobacco, Czech Pipe Tool, Bundle of Pipe Cleaners, and a Zip Top Tobacco Pouch.
Both these kits are a pretty good value for what you are getting.

 

[waznyf]

if you still have that plastic pipe, throw it out. I'd strongly suggest that no one ever, ever smoke a plastic pipe

brian64 I agree with you 100%! A plastic pipe is no way for a beginner to start out on. The smoke is less enjoyable and it isn't a beautiful pipe so that makes it less enjoyable too.

 

[jvandy77]

Plastic pipe!? At least go with a corncob or a clay. I wasn't even aware that one could purchase a plastic pipe! SCARY STUFF
-Jim

 

[nsfisher]

Good idea on the thread mate! All beginning pipers should start with a Cob.

 

[judcole]

If all they had was $15, I would tell them to wait until they got $25.
P&C:

MM Country Gent 8.25

1.5 oz Prince Al 3.15

1 oz Bulk MacB Mixture 4.10

1.5 Prince Al Cherry Vanilla 2.64

100 BJ Long's Tapered Cleaners 1.99
That's about $20. They have 3 blends - not a whole lot of each,so if they don't like something they are not out too much. 1 codger burley, 1 good quality Danish light aro, and 1 decent American aro. Gotta have cleaners. Tamp with a roofing nail.
I personally would not recommend a cheap briar. Start with a cob,if you are just experimenting. ::

 

[cortezattic]

I personally would not recommend a cheap briar. Start with a cob,if you are just experimenting.

On 2nd thought, this is pretty good advice. If the cob works out well, then step up to the plate and buy a proper briar or meer.

 

[martiniman]

great thread............

+1 @cortezattic

 

[logandow]

+1

 

[jchaplick]

Personally I think that it is almost (I said almost) a bad idea to have someone smoke from a briar to start. I think there is abig learning curve in the first two(ish) weeks, that starting with an MM cob of any kind can lessen. I think that if you start smoking, and smoke WAY too hot the taste of burning briar is hard to distinguish from just a bad tobacco experience, whereas the taste of burning cob tastes like burning corn, and you know to smoke cooler. Stuff like that. If I had any new smoker, I would give them a cob hands down, and 1Q is a great beginner tobacco.

 

[baronsamedi]

+1 Jud! That's the kind of thing I was looking for!

 

[arabpipesmoker]

Thanks guy's for great thread for us (beginners) and yes cob's are great smokers

 

[spyder71]

+1 on the cobs! Wish I would have started on one rather than the 25 dollar lick the sun torture machine of a Briar I had to start. Love my cobs and just got two new ones in the mail, Spool and Pat.

 

[tokerpipes]

Shop the Bay. A good inexpensive estate is probably the best way to learn. You usualy have to start by cleaning it. The most important part of pipe smoking (besides enjoying it) is its always best to know how to clean and familiarize your self with your new friend. What better way than cleaning it. Plus if its an estate its pretty well broke in already and probably a good smoker. Hey some one else has already proved it.

 

[bigvan]

Personally I don't think you're doing someone a favor by recommending cheap pipes and cheaper tobacco. If you can't afford a well-made pipe and good quality tobacco, then you probably shouldn't be smoking.
Sorry if that came out more negative than I intended, but if you're going to do something, do it right.

 

[judcole]

Personally I don't think you're doing someone a favor by recommending cheap pipes and cheaper tobacco. If you can't afford a well-made pipe and good quality tobacco, then you probably shouldn't be smoking.
Sorry if that came out more negative than I intended, but if you're going to do something, do it right.

I generally agree with you, bigvan. I have said many times "smoke the best tobacco in the best pipes you can afford".

However, I would point out that not everyone who attempts to take up the pipe is going to want to continue with it. The point of this thread, as I see it, is for advice to someone who wants to explore,and may not have $100 to drop on exploration.

A good cob, although inexpensive, is a worthy part of any pipe smoker's rotation. I have a couple that I happily smoke. (I am a firm opponent of low-end briars.)

I also think that new smokers, who are already learning the basics of pipe smoking, don't need to try to struggle with complex and/or subtle blends. Good latakia blends can be overwhelming for many beginning smokers. And the subtleties of good virginias require skilled smokers, not rank beginners.

If I had a friend who wanted to start, I would encourage him (or her) to start with a package like the one I listed in my previous post. After some time spent with that, they would know whether or not they wanted to continue. At that point, it's time to move into a better quality pipe or two (depending on their budget), and to start exploring other tobaccos. They have some idea of what they like,and can move ahead. They can consider laying down $10 for a 50 gram tin.
If somebody said to me, I want to try pipe smoking,and I am comfortable with dropping $100 to start - well,then, that's a different ball game. Then I might send 'em to smokingpipes.com,for that $60 GBD apple, and some more expensive tobacco.

Sorry if this is kinda long. ::
ETA: I smoke everything I recommended, along with much more complex and expensive blends

 

[baronsamedi]

Well sure. If they have $100 to experiment, they can get a Pete for about $75 and some good baccy. I started with a $15 Kaywoodie from ebay and a pouch of CBW. I'm pretty experienced with shopping on the bay and doing my own research, so I get something good. Not everyone can do that. I'd rather have someone with only $20 for experimentation follow my or Jud's advice, enjoy themselves and then maybe branch out into other things later.
Remember, the title of the thread is "I only have...." and list what people can get for that price and where they can get it.