Lost and Confused

[bigbearharris91]

Hey guys, I'm new to this so bear with me. Just picked up a "fengshun" pipe at a headshop just looking to get a taste of pipe smoking (only 22$). It has a metal or graphite bowl (I'm not sure which) is it sacrilege to start off with a metal bowl? Am I sacrificing any flavor or experience with it? Or is it ok since I'm just starting off? Also picked up a pack of Half and Half tobacco, any input? I'm a long time cigarette smoker and dip... dipper? what is the "buzz" like compared to these? Thanks for any and all replies!

 

[bambam]

I'm pretty new to this as well I would personally go to your local drug store and pick up a Dr. Grabow or a Corn Cob and start out that way. The weed you put in the pipe you bought and the weed you are trying to smoke are totally different. I think half and half is a decent smoke, I have never personally tried it but it has been around for ever so that says something about it. Anyways I'm sure some of the guys who have been at this will have more and better input then mine but I think you will be better off starting out with a briar or cob pipe. ::

 

[olderthandirt]

Greetings BigBear

That you already plunked down the change on that chinese marvel s'pose you could go ahead and give it a shot.

If you haven't smoked it yet, better still, see if you can't return it and do as bambam mentions, get an inexpensive Dr.G or a corncob. The chinese thing will more than likely smoke hot, detracting from any pleasure you may derive.
As for what to expect with regards nicotine uptake, well, look around the forum a bit . Several threads regarding what blends have the most/least nicotine. Common to these threads is the theme that nicotine uptake varies tremendously between individuals. That said, pull up a chair, load a bowl of that Half&Half and begin your journey! (-:
ETA: Baskerville, you couldn't stay away!

 

[terry]

I strongly feel that you will never be satisfied with over the counter tobacco. Get some good tobacco from a local b&m or online...it's a difference like comparing store bought tomatoes from home grown...anyway that is my two cents worth.

 

[philip]

Some people think Half and Half is good. Others can't stand it. Don't make any sweeping decisions based on a first experience.
If you have a tobacco store nearby I'd recommend going and asking for a couple of blends for a new smoker to try. (Perhaps a mild aromatic blend and an English blend.)
I can't say anything about your pipe. Corn cob pipes are very inexpensive if you want another pipe to try. Some would say you haven't smoked unless you have tried at least one good briar.
In any case, all the best with your new hobby. This forum has been very helpful for me. Glad you are here.

 

[buster]

VERY NEW AT THIS ALSO.
My first briar pipe was from a cigarette store. They only had a few to choose from and it was $15 and a pouch of Captain Black. Second pipe was from a store that is more of a tobacconist store( cigars and pipe tobacco) for $29. I also got two tins of Mac Baren. Third pipe was a Dr. Graybow free hand from 4Noggins web site for $29 and a few sample bags of tobacco.
Metal pipes from a head shop are not what you are wanting for tobacco. Save it for the leafy greens.
Tips for tobacco, aromatics such as Captain black. If they seem moist, take a bowls worth out and let it dry for a while. Maybe even over night or pack your pipe and put it up for tomorrow. Captain B. pouches are around $10 in Ca. Mac Baren tins are around $15-$20 and are quite a step up in quality. Look for 7 Seas blends. Or just find a tobacconist and chat up the people working there. You can get samples for around $4 an ounce. So that way you can afford a few things to try.
I have not tried H&H so cant give you much input there but some tobacco has a good nicotine content so?

 

[aussielass]

OK, as a complete newbie to pipe smoking, but an old dab hand at smoking cigarettes & cigarellos, I have to say, do NOT start out trying to save money, it'll put you off for life, like it almost did me.
Go get yourself some super-special expensive little sampler packs of loose tobacco (I started out with "Aromatics" as most do apparently) as I did when I saw the light real quick after the throat burning, tongue destroying dried horse shit I started with (Borkum Riff). Once my REAL baccies arrived, I thought I'd died and gone to heaven - best of all, I inhale long and hard and with the "nice" baccies it's as smooth as silk with zero coughing. Mind you, we're not really supposed to inhale but I'm told many ex ciggy smokers do, we can't help ourselves, we need the "fix" more than the "ceremony".
Cheers & enjoy, I sure as hell am, so much more pleasant that hideous sticks

 

[bigbearharris91]

Ok, so a corn cob pipe to start off with may be the best option... and of course i want to try a briar, they're classic! Does the quality of the cob pipe really matter? Or are there even differences in them?

 

[lostandfound]

Agreed. I've only been with the pipe for close to a year. Started with a Missouri Pride hard wood and some Blackberry blend by Golden Harvest. (Turned out to be a RYO tobacco. Terrible stuff, but I keeps it around for nostalgiac purposes. First pipe smoke and what). Moved on to a cob and some Prince. Later a Grabow and some OTC aromatics.
My suggestion is to get yourself a cob or a Grabow and try every drug store blend you can while waiting for a tobacco order. Being a nicotine addict myself, dips and grits all day long, I can tell you that you won't get much satisfaction out of the drugstore blends.
Best of luck and welcome to the boards from a fellow nube.

 

[chopz]

welcome to the forum big. i'm a cigarette smoker trying to quit and here's my 2 cents:
i'm used to spending over 7 bucks a pack for cigs. a local shop here has borkum riff (which is not very high grade stuff) for 8 bucks a 1.5 oz pouch. for that price (or less) i can get some of the highest quality tobacco marketed if i order online. and a huge selection. you'll find really excellent tobaccos online for 2 or 3 bucks an ounce.
and there's a lot to be learned from reading what this bunch of miscreants have to say (except that comedian dude).

 

[bigbearharris91]

Wow... this is the most welcoming, helpful forum I think I've ever seen. Thank y'all so much for helping. So, I suppose even though it's just the chamber that is metal, all of your previous comments on this pipe still stand? I think I will check out a cob or grabow now and hold off until then. Although I'm not quite up to speed with everyone, I'm trying to get there. I now wish I would have come to this site first before buying my pipe... but at least it will be put to good use... just maybe not with tobacco, haha. If you have any more suggestions I would be more than happy to hear them! Thanks again everyone!

 

[judcole]

I would not suggest getting a Dr. Grabow. Get two or three cobs for that money instead. If you've got a local B&M where they really know pipes & tobacco, it's worth going to - but if they are a cigarette store, they probably don't know squat about pipes.
Although there is nothing wrong with drugstore blends, they are not all there is to the tobacco world. I would agree with Aussielass - find a good pipe shop with an online presence that sells a lot of bulks, and that will sell by the ounce. For $30-$35 you can probably get 6 ounces (or more) of decent pipe tobacco, in a variety of styles, and experiment. I like pipesandcigars.com - they have a lot of bulks. You can get your cobs from them, too.
And ask questions!

 

[yohanan]

Pipe smoking is like everything else in life, You are going to have to experiment a little to find out what YOU like. Otc blends are good tobaccos, I like PA very well and it is readily available, I started out smoking CBW several years ago and it didnt agree with me, Lots of other folks swear by CBW, Everyone has different preferences and If you dont like one kind, there are plenty more to choose from. ::

 

[cortezattic]

A starter kit is a good way to get into the hobby will all the essentials thought-out for you. Good luck in what will be and endless exploration.

 

[baronsamedi]

A MM Legend or a Great Dane Egg are great ways to get in for under $10. Your OTC blend or even an English is a great way to start. A starter kit like Cortez mentioned OS good too.

 

[krgulick]

There are a number of links to online etailers about half way down the left sidebar. I believe a couple of them still offer starter kits. If not, they have a fine selection of cobs to choose from. They also have a number of sampler packages of tobacco that you can pretty much mix and match what you want to give a try. If you run into any problems, their customer service departments are pretty top notch. I would suggest either pipesandcigars.com or smokingpipes.com as starting points.

 

[philip]

In all this fuss over a pipe and tobacco, don't forget the pipe tool and pipe cleaners.

 

[buster]

Yep pipe cleaners are a must. I have not picked up a pipe tool yet. I'm sure I will soon but I have used a big nail to clean out the dottle and a used Winchester 308 brass for a tamper. Every one seems to love the cobs but I must say my Graybow free hand smokes like a champ! It has a big bowl, the military bit and is easy to clean. I'm sure I will upgrade in time as money permits but for now 3 pipes are plenty for a newbie. Now it is time for new tobaccos! :D
Welcome aboard BigBear and by the way. Are you from Big Bear Ca.?