Hello All,
I am new to pipe smoking. I have been a cigarette smoker for the past 22 years and still do enjoy it but as I am getting older (40 in 3 months) I find myself going outside for a smoke and sitting there in my chair and think about my day, my up coming day and week. I also have a soon to be 2 year old son who now takes up a lot of my time thinking and planing for his future. About 2 weeks ago my neighbor was walking by and he came up to my porch and said something to the effect of "Russ you sit out here every night in your rocker, sipping your Gin, and having a smoke. All you need is a pipe to complete the picture of a man with life on on his mind". So I started to start thinking about what he said and laughed it off as just the old guy next door busting my chops.
I should back track for a second, I am an avid RYO cigarette maker. I started a few months ago, was just a hobby, something to offset the cost of the name brand smokes I was buying. I am a glazier, and my days can be very stress full, so I figured I would buy my smokes for the day, but at night enjoy my own homemade smokes. Well that lasted about a week, I enjoyed making my own so much I went full bore, making them for myself and my soon to be wife. Bought a nice machine went through a bunch of sample tobaccos until I found one that I truly enjoyed. Anyway, last week I had to run to my local Cigar shop to get some tubes because I did not order online in time to coincide with me running out of the stock I had. I have been in this shop many times, and always loved the aroma when I walked in. So, as I was waiting for the kid working the counter to get off the phone arguing with his girlfriend (i live in NJ and that's good customer service cause he was not cursing at her and said he was sorry). I laughed and asked him if Jim was around, Jim came out and told him what my neighbor said and told him I wanted to try it. So he sold me a 7.00 cob pipe, and 2oz of an aromatic he had in a big glass jar. I came home, got online and did a search on how to load a pipe. That's when I found this place. Needless to say I am hooked!
I order a few tins last night, Cornell & Diehl Evening Rise, Benjamin Hartwell Evening Stroll, Dunhill Tin Night Cap and Butera Latakia No.1. I read a bunch of reviews, and even though I am new to this, I know what I think I like, and well I wanted to try a few different blends just like I did for my RYO. I also ordered a starter set of pipes from P&C http://www.pipesandcigars.com/3pipesfor4599.html, but I also ordered, and not sure if it was smart but I just loved the way it looked and the price was very reasonable, so I added it to my cart http://www.pipesandcigars.com/mahachpi.html. It should all be here by Tues/Wed I am very excited as I know I am going to truly enjoy my new passion for all things pipe.
Ok, I think that's enough rambling for my first post. Have a great night all!
Thanks for reading,
Russ.