New to pipe smoking. Looking for some help.

[architects]

I've recently been introduced into the world or pipe smoking. A buddy of mine bought me a pipe. The pipe happens to be a Yello-Bole Standard bent pipe. Although I welcome the fantastic gesture of a friend to welcome me into the pipe world, I have only heard sub-par things about modern Yello-Bole pipes.
If I do choose to smoke from it, am I going to regret it and is it going to ruin my smoking experiences from the start? I'd hate to just not use the pipe he bought me. He is, after all, new himself and just trying to help out.
Any suggestions?

 

[unclearthur]

Yello bole pipes are OK as long as it isn't one of those nasty hot smoking brylon monsters. They are far from top of the line but I have several that are quite serviceable.

 

[architects]

I haven't smoked from it yet, but judging by your choice of words and from what I've read, it is, in fact, a hot smoking brylon monster.

 

[greggors]

You could smoke it so that you could see the difference between a good pipe and a bad one. Buy a Peterson, when you smoke it you will appreiciate it that much more, and you can at least still say you've smoked the yello-bole.

 

[pipetrucker]

The briar Yello-Boles are pretty good smokers. I own a couple of them. If it is a brylon pipe it will not smoke well at all. Posting a photo would help, but just look at the pipe. If it is an even darkish brown color with no sign of any sort of grain at all it is probably brylon. If you can see any sort of wood grain then it isn't brylon.
If it is brylon you don't want to smoke it. As it was a gift, just put it away and go buy a real briar pipe. As you are new to pipe smoking, and have yet to even try it, I would recommend something not too expensive until you know whether you will even enjoy pipe smoking. You can pick up a cob for very little money, a Dr Grabow for $25 - $50, and many of the "better" pipe makers have models in the $50 - $75 range.

 

[greggors]

I would recommend something not too expensive until you know whether you will even enjoy pipe smoking.

Agreed, I just assmued you were going to like it

 

[pipetrucker]

Agreed, I just assmued you were going to like it []

LOL a natural assumption by those of us who do enjoy it.

 

[romeowood]

You know, I have one of those hot-smoking, heavy, ugly as a bull testicle brylon Yello-Boles, and I actually smoke it on occasion. It's much too heavy to be comfortable as a clencher, and has the most absurdly shaped stinger, but I don't think it smokes any hotter than my other pipes as long as my tobacco is dry and my cadence is adjusted, although it will smoke wet. And I don't taste the pipe, at all; I just don't expect any kind of transcendental experience out of it either. I say if you aren't sure about pipes yet, try it out, smoke some decent tobacco and go slow--if you like it, great, and jump in with both feet from there.

 

[panheadjack]

I search ebay for old, preferably pre republic Petersons. I have several other 'good' pipes but keep returning to my Pete's. I clean them real good w/ Bacardi's 151 careful not to get any on the stain. Let em air for awhile w/ stem off and then fire em up. Every now and then you can get lucky and score a really good pipe for just a few bucks.

 

[pstlpkr]

I think all of those above are sincere in their assessments. I too echo the notion that you should smoke it. Carefully and slowly. You might use matches as an aid to controlling heat, butane has an inherently hotter flame. But, I would find a pipe that fits your price range and purchase it. And, of course for the sake of friendship, smoke it while your friend is present once in a while without undue ceremony. After all it was a gift and a well intentioned one at that. Good friends are hard to come by and the cultivation of those friendships may take the form of ("Oh yeah, it's a decent smoker. I like it.") a little white lie. Show some appreciation, and display it.

 

[admin]

I like what Lawrence said.
I have a couple of briar Yello-Bole pipes and they smoke just fine.

 

[architects]

I suppose I should have clarified a bit. I am a cigar smoker, and I have smoked from a pipe before, I am just new to the whole world of purchasing one for myself and owning my own. I wish I could tell you which pipe I have smoked in the past, but the friendship with this person has since expired. So it is not a question of whether I will like it, it is a question of which would provide the best smoke.
I do plan on using this Yello-Bole at least to get a feel of it and to go on from there, like some of you said (and yes, it is the Brylon pipe...just for clarification). I do like the thought that I can say I smoked from a Yello-Bole and aid others I might persuade into the pipe realm.
As for a decent starting pipe, what should I look toward after this Yello-Bole? Recommendations?
And since we're on the topic of recommendations...how about a good tobacco while we're at it?
Thanks a lot, gentleman.

 

[unclearthur]

Being a Peterson nut I will recommend any entry level Peterson. I find them to be exceptional pipes. Kaywoodie is an inexpensive and decent quality pipe as well. Even the famous (or infamous) Dr Grabows smoke well.

 

[architects]

I appreciate the recommendations, Unclearthur. What would you classify as an entry-level Peterson? I am on their webpage and they have a extensive list of different model pipes. Any further help?

 

[pipetrucker]

I also recommend Peterson as they are my personal favorite, and would also recommend Savinelli. Both are excellent smokers.
I can't speak for Arthur, but to me an entry level pipe is something in the under $100 range.

 

[architects]

I appreciate both of your recommendations, Unclearthur and Pipetrucker. Although under $100 is a pretty good range, do you have any recommendations for something a little less expensive? Not that the price range is too steep for me, but because I want to build up to that. You know what I mean?

 

[unclearthur]

You can get into Petersons for around 60 bucks'

http://www.cupojoes.com/cgi-bin/dept?dpt=H&srch=KW&search_text=Peterson+Kapet

 

[pipetrucker]

What sort of price range are you looking at? As Arthur indicated, Petes can be had at a very reasonable price. I have a Kapet and it is a good smoker, and the Rock Of Cashel line is also very reasonably priced (I have one and it is a fine smoker).
If you are looking in the under $50 range, I would recommend Dr Grabow pipes, just remove that silly filter.

 

[pipetrucker]

Oh, I would add that while price is an understandable consideration for most of us, the size, shape, look, and feel of a pipe is far more important to the long lasting enjoyment of the pipe.
I have some fine smokers that were had pretty cheap, and I enjoy smoking them because they not only smoke well but look and feel good to me.

 

[architects]

I definitely know what you mean, Pipetrucker. Those definitely come into consideration. Under $50 is a good price, but $60 for a Peterson definitely isn't bad either. That Kapet #03 looks real nice.
And what is this filter you are speaking of with the Dr. Grabow? Am I going to find that on my little Yello-Bone?