I'm a Very New Pipe Smoker

[piperl12]

I also have a couple smaller bowl pipes that I could send your way as well. My collection needs a good purging. Shoot me a PM.

 

[05venturer]

eibhir I have a brylon Medico pipe and a cheapy pipe pouch I would be willing to give you free if charge to help you out if you are interested.

PM me your address and I can ship it out next week.

 

[eibhir]

You people are the best! :P

I'm really grateful for all your tips and advice. You go above and beyond! Thank you a ton!

 

[05venturer]

I have also found that Corn cob pipes for me are the best smoking pipes out there. They break in fast and smoke really well. Also IMHO no cobs come even close to Missouri Meerschaum corn cob pipes. You can get a grab bag of seconds for $30, you get a good bunch of pipes for a good price.

 

[cigrmaster]

Welcome to the forum. Once you get some more pipes you will be able to start experimenting with different blends to see what floats your boat. If you can try to keep a certain type of blend to certain pipes, i.e English blends in one pipe and aromatics in another or Virginia's in another. That is called dedicating your pipes. It will help you in that you will be able to pick out the nuances of the different styles of tobacco you are smoking and there bye you will get the most out of a certain blend. If you try to smoke an aromatic in a pipe that you previously smoked an English blend, you will not get the full flavors of that aromatic. I know that it seems a little daunting in the beginning so just relax and keep asking questions, it is what we are here for.
To all you guys who have offered pipe to our new member, well done. It makes me proud to be a member of this great community.

 

[yadan]

sothron said:
"- Don't be afraid to spend money on pipe smoking - on good pipes and (especially) good tobaccos"
Great advice! So after you've smoked the cobs for a while, seriously consider laying out a bit more money for a Falcon and/or Viking - they're very reasonably priced for a briar, will provide you with a pleasant, cool smoke, are simple to maintain and are very sturdy.

Welcome to the forum ::

 

[lestrout]

eib - re "I tried just putting my pipe open in my pocket but the tobacco made a mess; that's why I carry it in a zip bag. ", get a wind cap for a couple of dollars from the B&M and that will keep the tobacco in the bowl. Another fix is to take a pipe cleaner and wind it up into a tight coil and use that as a cap.
hp

les

 

[possiblemeltdown]

eibhir,
Being a closet smoker myself (young kids and my wife disapproves of my "hobby") I occasionally only have time for a quick smoke.
If I find myself having to head back inside at a party when all the smokers are done their cigs I place the pipe in my fist with my palm covering the bowl opening and suck on the pipe for a while (time varys, you will have to experiment but it doen't take long). This seals the bowl and the tobacco goes out. Just watch you don't burn your hand! I have heard of people using a piece of cork to plug the bowl (keeps ashes out of your pocket too) or using a credit card to cover the bowl instead of your hand... equally important, don't melt your credit card!
Also, you can partially fill the bowl if you know you won't have time to smoke a full bowl, once you get the hang of packing the tobacco. Fridays on the way to work I usually smoke a half a bowl while listening to the Pipes Magazine Radio Show. Half a bowl is perfect for the drive and I can clean the pipe out before heading into work.
As for pipes, I'm new to the hobby but I don't have a lot of money to spend either. I have picked up a few cheaper brand pipes and they seem to work fine. Maybe I just haven't been spoiled by a high quality pipe so I don't know the difference yet! If a pipe smokes well for you, that's all that matters.

 

[eibhir]

Thanks Meltdown! Those are great ideas for keeping my pipe from spilling. I also read somewhere about using quarters and a rubber band.

All the advice I'm getting on here is really helpful!