Hello everyone. I'm from the Pacific NW corner of the USA. I'm new to pipes, tried the first one a little over 2 years ago. Like so many others, it was a MM cob with a pouch of Carter Hall.
I'm a long time cigar smoker but had to give them up for more than a decade due to sinus and allergy problems. Thankfully, I no longer have those issues and was able to enjoy cigars again. The only problem was that I didn't have any cigars that had been rested long enough in my humidor. So, one of my motivations for trying the pipe was to have something to smoke while my cigars were resting. - My second motivation was to have a winter smoke. I only smoke cigars outdoors at home & there are no smoking lounges within 150 miles. With the proper choice of blends, I can smoke a pipe indoors and get compliments rather than complaints from other family members. And on those very cold winter days, I much prefer a pipe to cigar.
I took up the pipe for the reasons mentioned. I do enjoy both pipes and cigars. But if I had to choose just one now, it definitely would be the pipe.
As a relative newcomer, I'm still trying various things. I have numerous briars, cobs, and clay pipes. I've got a lower end meer that was kindly gifted to me, but would like to upgrade some time. Some of my current favorite blends include HH ODF, FVF, BCA, & Frog M Cellar. Now I'm exploring stronger blends that could make a quick walk of the dog in very cold winter weather more pleasant.
I'm a member of another major active pipe forum, and a long time pipesmoker mentioned that he is a member here. So I thought I'd join. I look forward to learning from others & sharing our pipe adventures & follies. - Mac