EDIT : Fixed Capitalization in Title ( See Rule 9 )
Welcome, new pipe smokers, don't be afraid to ask questions.
Here is my advice as one who was once a "noob" in today's parlance many decades ago.
Don't buy a new smoker kit. 99% of these are from China and are simple wood pipes finished as a good brier pipe. Dont, just don't. unless that new smoker kit includes a good birar pipe and from a reputable maker, DON'T .... just don't waste your money!
Find a good pipe, there are TONS of good inexpensive meerschaum pipes you can buy for little expense. I've bought several good Turkish meerschaum pipes over the years that were not fancy, didn't have the best stem fit, but were decent smokers.
Find a good tobacco for your stage of smoking. Smokingpipes.com among others offers an ability to tind tobacco according to your tolerance.
Learn how to load your pipe and light it. This can take a LOT of practice. The key, as I've found, is never to overpack. Sprinkle a bowl, tamp LIGHTLY to half bowl, sprinkle another, tamp to 3/4, then sprinkle again. Go by advice as many others have said before me on the same advise. Let the tobacco breathe and crowne.
If your bowl doesn't crown and keep a light, start over.
A bowl of tobacco in your pipe, even a small pipe, should last for as long as a good cigar. Puff, don't such like a needy cigarette smoker.
If you have to relight the bowl, do so!
When you have smoked a few years, you'll learn the right way to pack a bowl, and how to smoke it. The bowl should NEVER be warm to the touch. Especially meerschaum. Smoke, enjoy the smoke, and take care of your smoking tools. Whether they be briar or meerschaum, take care of them.
Welcome, new pipe smokers, don't be afraid to ask questions.
Here is my advice as one who was once a "noob" in today's parlance many decades ago.
Don't buy a new smoker kit. 99% of these are from China and are simple wood pipes finished as a good brier pipe. Dont, just don't. unless that new smoker kit includes a good birar pipe and from a reputable maker, DON'T .... just don't waste your money!
Find a good pipe, there are TONS of good inexpensive meerschaum pipes you can buy for little expense. I've bought several good Turkish meerschaum pipes over the years that were not fancy, didn't have the best stem fit, but were decent smokers.
Find a good tobacco for your stage of smoking. Smokingpipes.com among others offers an ability to tind tobacco according to your tolerance.
Learn how to load your pipe and light it. This can take a LOT of practice. The key, as I've found, is never to overpack. Sprinkle a bowl, tamp LIGHTLY to half bowl, sprinkle another, tamp to 3/4, then sprinkle again. Go by advice as many others have said before me on the same advise. Let the tobacco breathe and crowne.
If your bowl doesn't crown and keep a light, start over.
A bowl of tobacco in your pipe, even a small pipe, should last for as long as a good cigar. Puff, don't such like a needy cigarette smoker.
If you have to relight the bowl, do so!
When you have smoked a few years, you'll learn the right way to pack a bowl, and how to smoke it. The bowl should NEVER be warm to the touch. Especially meerschaum. Smoke, enjoy the smoke, and take care of your smoking tools. Whether they be briar or meerschaum, take care of them.
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