New Pipe Smoker

[sojin]

Will do.

I like the sound of Shortcut to Mushroom from justforhim. I read an old post here about Longbottom Leaf there and I wanted that pretty bad. I love vanilla, so the mere mention of it was very exciting, but it seems to be discontinued there. What does Halflings leaf taste of?

 

[sojin]

Thanks. I am blown away by how helpful and informative everyone here is being. That is a good point, I will take a look at some straight ones as well. How does one go about drying it? Just leaving it out a few hours beforehand?

Again, thank you all. At this rate I will be a seasoned expert by the end of the day, and I don't even own a pipe yet, haha.

 

[pstlpkr]

Welcome Sojin, and thanks for accepting my friendship request.

All of the above is excellent advice...

But, I might go one step further for a starter churchwarden.

A lot of members would recommend that you start your venture into the wonderful world of pipe smoking with a corn cob pipe... by Missouri Merschaum, and others. (never a Chinese cob)

There a number of "Cobwardens" out there...

I have one and it has been nothing short of outstanding... and the costs are in the $20 - $30 range.
Can't wait to see pictures of your first pipe, and to hear what tobacco you decide to begin with.

Your first pipe will always hold a special place in your heart.
The only other things I can add, in the way of advice for choosing a pipe:

If you don't like the way it looks, you will never really enjoy the pipe.

If it catches your eye and feels good in your hand (proper fit), it is definitely a candidate.

Next run a pipe cleaner through it. It should go all the way from the stem into the bowl without difficulty.

Then look for flaws in the pipe. Fills, cracks, off center drilling, and loose bits of wood inside the shank and bowl (a sign of poor quality). Try to avoid varnish, or lacquer finishes.

Depending on the finish (rusticated, sand blast or smooth), the grain should be appealing.

Get yourself a pipe tool to tamp, and dig that dottle.
Don't pack it tightly. Smoke it slowly, and don't worry about relights...

Technique will come with experience.

If your technique works for you... then it's correct.

And most importantly... Relax and enjoy yourself.

::

 

[buster]

Found these churchwardens on sale for $49 at Cup-o-joes!
http://www.cupojoes.com/cgi-bin/dept?dpt=W&srch=DW&nitem=pip3507&tier2=262
Briar churchwardens $34.99!!! Cant beat that!
http://www.pipeshoppe.com/ps_cw.php
And mini churchwardens for $25! Dang I want one of these little guys.
http://www.pipeshoppe.com/ps_cw_mini.php

 

[baronsamedi]

I believe Vauen of Germany made the first officially licensed LOTR pipes. Vauen makes a quality pipe, too. The LOTR pipes will set you back about $400 US, though. The bowls are made of briar, the stems of beech and the actual bit is made of acryllic for sanitary purposes. Here's a link to the product. Keep in mind, I have never used this site, I just wanted to show the product.
http://pipe-shop.net/Shop/cgi-bin/his-webshop.cgi?c=bilbo&c1=Pfeifen&dif=6&f=KOLLEKTION&f1=GRUPPE&start=1&t=temsearch_artikel_tobacco_pipe

 

[judcole]

I agree with what these fellas have said. You don't want that pipe. It's not briar, and the round mouthpiece would be a bear to smoke. If you really want a churchwarden - which is what that is - follow their suggestions. And there's nothing wrong with a cob for a starter pipe if you are short on cash. Good luck, and enjoy the journey. ::

 

[sojin]

Yeah, I had decided early on that I wouldn't be buying that pipe. Right now my heart is set on the LUNA pipe, but I really want to listen to everyone and start with a briar. So right now my mind is telling me to either save another few bucks and get the Briar bowl maple stem Ranger from LUNA, or to get a more affordable briar pipe(not necessarily a churchwarden) maybe something like this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Rf6Z3acg9w
The Vauen pipes are really nice looking. I will definitely pick one of those up later down the line.

 

[tokerpipes]

You could always talk to thesmokindragon on here, he hooked me up with this.

 

[sojin]

That is really cool looking. How much did that run you, if you dont mind my asking?
Here is another pipe I have bookmarked. I really enjoy this look, and am starting to think this or something similar might be my first pipe. Though I would prefer something a little bigger. The measurements are a bit small.

http://store.pipesandcigars.com/bjholipiegg1.html

 

[tokerpipes]

You will have to hit up thesmokindragon to work out the price of his custom cobs. I had some extras I got off him so the price of the pipe was relative compared to the other items I got from him.

 

[sojin]

Here is another I quite like.

http://pipesandcigars.com/bjhodabrpiap2.html

 

[zanthal]

pipesandcigars.com is one of the best sites for pipes, tobacco and other necessities ... that's not just an opinion.
justforhim.com has the Middle Earth pipe weed series, and they're all named after chapters from Lord of the Rings.

I've tried Shortcut to Mushrooms and Treebeard, I prefer Shortcut to Mushrooms, it's an excellent english blend. Treebeard isn't bad, just not my favorite aromatic.
tobacco pipes really are a form of art once you start to get an eye for them.
to save you the trouble of asking later ...
PAD =
Pipe

Acquisition

Disorder
...
TAD =
Tobacco

Acquisition

Disorder.
All of us here suffer from these afflictions in varying degrees, some worse than others. :puffpipe:
I will echo bigvan and advise you to start with a briar pipe. Do your research, and if you come up short on info, ask here on the forums ... I'm happy to help you with your pipe education and so are a lot of others.
Hope you discover all of the joys of it. :: -Mike M

 

[sojin]

Ok guys, so I think everything has worked out wonderfully. The owner of LUNA pipes and I exchanged some emails, and he has helped me out a great deal in regards to my financial situation. He has offered me a factory second pipe for a great price, and it is made of briar. I really think I will be taking him up on this offer today.

It looks to me the reason it is factory second is that blemish on the bowl. He says it is sand blasted, and I am assuming all that has to do with is the finish.

Here is the pipe.

http://i.imgur.com/40Wl0.jpg

Edit: I fixed the pic... it's just a little large. L

 

[nsfisher]

Take a look at the Mr. Broggs offerings, specifically the No.16 Churchwarden, you will not be dissapointed. It will run you $30.00! I smoke mine daily with no trouble and it comes apart easily for cleaning. 11" long and easy to smoke.

 

[sojin]

I'm sorry, I couldnt find any sites by that. Is that a user here? I appreciate the recommendation.

 

[swilly]

Mr. Brog is a site sponsor and a link to his website is located on the sidebar, but I'll include a link here anyway.
http://mrbrog.com/pear-wood-pipes.html
that link is to his pear wood pipes which I've heard good things about. They have some churchwarden styles too.
Looking at the photo of the pipe you had as a link, I'd be a bit wary of it. It does have the churchwarden look to it, but it doesn't seem like the stem is removable, meaning it will be a pain to clean at all.
Good luck with your selection.

-Swilly

 

[brownbilliard]

I think you will seriously regret buying that luna pipe for your first pipe smoking experience. Here are a few reasons why:
1) It looks gigantic. I would recommend asking the seller how long and heavy it is. Are you really going to want to lift that thing every time you take a pull? Are you sure that your hand will even be able to reach the bowl to light it?
2) It looks like it doesn't come apart. Considering that shape and size, it will be a nightmare to clean. You will need to find 3' long pipe cleaners somewhere. You will also be helpless if you get some tobacco caught in the shank.
3) Someone mentioned that the draft holes on these pipes are in the bottom of the bowl and not in the wall. If that's the case, you will have an ongoing problem with clogged bowls which is really irritating.
4)There is no lip/bit at the end of the stem, which means there will be nothing for your mouth to hold onto while you smoke. That will not be comfortable.
5) the size will make it very difficult to travel with in case you decide you want to smoke while you're out and about.
That's my 2 cents. Good luck.

 

[steyrshrek]

The most reasonable pipe you've seem to have chosen so far is that Bjarne Houston Apple. I don think you'll like smoking that Luna pipe, especially after its all gummed and clogged up.

 

[maineyachtie]

@brownbilliard :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

I completely agree, do not buy the Luna.

 

[tokerpipes]

If ordered bro you are going to be frustraited worse than an old guy in a hore house with out any viagra.
Yeah it looks nice but then again if you are just looking at it its great.