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

[baronsamedi]

I understand your point, bigvan. I happen to disagree, somewhat, because I enjoy SWR in a cob just as much as GLP in a Pete, depending upon mood.
Name your price point and tell the noobs where they can get the best value. That's really the point of the thread is to help the new guys and all opinions/suggestions are important!

 

[hiplainsdrifter]

I agree that cobs smoke great, but I am glad my first pipe was a briar, as cobs tend to be cheaply made- a 'fine' pipe is part of the experience for some. I absolutely agree that a beginner should buy an estate pipe in good condition. It will already be broken in, making the learning curve much easier.

 

[baronsamedi]

The best way for a newb to start with a good pipe is to tell a pipe smoker, "Hey, buddy, I'm thinking of taking up pipe smoking!" Chances are, you'll walk away with an armload of samples and at least one good pipe.

 

[winton]

I like Mr Brog. For about $25, you get a good pipe made of pear. For tobacco, Maple Street. Also need some cleaners and a friend to show you how to load and clean the pipe.

 

[barkar]

@winton I don't have a Mr Brog. but I have looked at them online just for interest sake and I must say if they are anywhere as good as they look for the money I would agree with you.

 

[baronsamedi]

I've heard nothing negative about Brogs so far.

For $35 you could get a Brog and some Frog!

 

[topd]

I have to throw my two-cents in... Find a seasoned smoker and ask.... He'll give you

a pipe and tobacco, get you lit and advise... No Better Way!
TopD

 

[kennerth]

Go Top D! The best way for newb to start is for one of us to take them under our wing and give them everything they need to start. Most of us have much more tobacco and pipes than we can use.
Otherwise, I will agree with a cob, a pouch of Carter Hall, a pack of pipe cleaners, a nail, and a Djeep lighter. All that is under $20, even here in Texas with our Gawd-awful pipe tobacco taxes.

 

[baronsamedi]

+1 TopD

 

[treeder13]

:O Why you no start this thread sooner?! Rofl I'd of loved help from you guys last month! :D But I love my pipes so far anyways especially briar ones

 

[shayde]

I definitely think a cob is the way to go for a first pipe, I mean all the MM cobs are great value for the money. I think it should be followed up by a cheap maybe Dr. grabow estate then followed by P&C or some other sites starter kits. I think small quantities of different types of tobaccos as opposed to 4oz of one type. Gives them options

 

[unclefester13]

I have to agree with TopD. Pipemen who have a lot of in their collections usually will be eager to help a young pipeman get started in the hobby, but watch out for that dreaded PAD. Perhaps we should all donate a pipe for those young guys and some good blends as well to promote our hobby.

 

[plateauguy]

I agree, a MM cob is great for anyone, especially a beginner. Inexpensive, forgiving, and quite a few shapes to choose from. I was late to the party on cobs, but I've done my best to catch up.
Buy a couple of cobs and save your money for a good quality briar.

 

[judcole]

Buy a couple of cobs and save your money for a good quality briar.

Yeah - skip the Grabows and all such stuff. For the price of 3 or 4 Grabows you can get a Stanwell.

 

[auslander]

Now all that is needed is for a mod to review the info here, reduce it to one post with a searchable title and viola a thread that would more than likely show up on a forum or google search.

 

[pylorns]

I'm actually going to a LAN party that encourages smoking cigars etc. I'm bringing a grab-bag of corn cob pipes and a pound of tobacco for these guys to try. If they want to keep smoking, they can keep the cob pipes and some tobacco.

 

[auslander]

Doesn't have to be a mod, anyone who has sufficient experience and knowledge could pick the relevant information out of the thread, collate it and create a one post reference thread. A searchable title would have to be thought up but the brains trust would come up with something no doubt.
This actual thread could obviously be left as is or binned as the admins see fit.
As for the search function of the forum, it's pretty useless. I just google what I need to know and pick the pipemagazine result from that search if I want to read what you guys have to say. Every time I've tried the in house search function I get mixed and often irrelevant results. No big deal, there's always more than one way to skin birds in a bush.

 

[foggymountain]

Here is a suggestion for the best low cost briar. A Hilson Vintage from Pipes & Cigars costs about $68. It is the best smoke for under several hundred dollars that I have tried. I am waiting for 5 of them and already have 7. There is also the Hilson Vintage Special Grain, sometimes available from Alpascia for about $110. Same series but the Specials are the best of them. Once these Vintage Hilsons are well broken in they are as good as anything.