Newcomer Seeks Advice from the "Pipe Elders"

[Kan]

Title edited for caps and specificity.

I have absolutely ZERO experience with pipes. I bought a crappy £15 pound one at some knock off shop ages ago, it didn't work.

It's been something that's been on mind and has been appealing to me for years. Cigarettes are gross to me, and too corrosive to one's health. Cigars make me feel like I'm smoking tree bark... plus it's too expensive.

But I like sensation and flavour of something burning. It seems like a pleasant pass-time.
I was thinking something like... a corn cob pipe since that's what most beginners go with? But I have no idea what price range is acceptable...

That and tobacco types are utterly alien to me, I will be doing my own research intermittently so it's not a matter of me being lazy. I would just also like to receive information from multiple people, not just one or two sites that one guy writing about pipes made.

I appreciate those willing to assist me in this endeavour and taking the time to read this.

 

[mso489]

I like the Missouri Meerschaum corncob pipes with acrylic stems, about $22 to $27, but the regular MM pipes are fine, with soft plastic stems, but you may have to replace the stems from time to time. They run about $5 to $16. For briar pipes you can get serviceable pipe in the $40 to $60 price range if you stick to known brands like Rossi, Kaywoodie, Dr. Grabow, Ropp, among others. Sometimes there are sales on pipes in this price range, like Stanwell and Tsuge, among others.

Feel free to ask more questions. People here have a lot of knowledge and expertise. I'm always impressed.

 

[Kan]

I like the Missouri Meerschaum corncob pipes with acrylic stems, about $22 to $27, but the regular MM pipes are fine, with soft plastic stems, but you may have to replace the stems from time to time. They run about $5 to $16. For briar pipes you can get serviceable pipe in the $40 to $60 price range if you stick to known brands like Rossi, Kaywoodie, Dr. Grabow, Ropp, among others. Sometimes there are sales on pipes in this price range, like Stanwell and Tsuge, among others.

Feel free to ask more questions. People here have a lot of knowledge and expertise. I'm always impressed.

Thanks for the response!
Yeah I've only recently just found out you sort of need multiple pipes to let them rest and not overheat them... which funnily enough isn't something I thought about.

I've heard the type of pipe alters the smoking experience/flavour? I've also liked the look of falcons. But I don't really know what to get into, or how many pipes I should buy.

I did some research on tobacco blends, aromatics and Virginias seem nice to me. Perhaps I've had bad experiences with cheap cigars, but I'm hesitant with English blends.

 

[Akoni808]

I like the Missouri Meerschaum corncob pipes with acrylic stems, about $22 to $27, but the regular MM pipes are fine, with soft plastic stems, but you may have to replace the stems from time to time. They run about $5 to $16. For briar pipes you can get serviceable pipe in the $40 to $60 price range if you stick to known brands like Rossi, Kaywoodie, Dr. Grabow, Ropp, among others. Sometimes there are sales on pipes in this price range, like Stanwell and Tsuge, among others.

Feel free to ask more questions. People here have a lot of knowledge and expertise. I'm always impressed.

I second this. Corncobs are a great way to get into pipes with very little buy in. From there you can decide if you want to get a briar. I own many Rossi's, and you can't beat the price/quality ratio.

 

[Kan]

I second this. Corncobs are a great way to get into pipes with very little buy in. From there you can decide if you want to get a briar. I own many Rossi's, and you can't beat the price/quality ratio.

should I just start out with one for a test drive?

 

[OzPiper]

Corn cob pipes are cheap. Pundits speak of their great smoking traits. I've never owned one, so I can't attest to that. But there is a lot of love for cobs, and they all can't be wrong

There are inexpensive briar pipes - £30-40 should get you a decent starter pipe.
Turmeaus(CGars Ltd) have a choice of options. If you're willing to spend a little more, have a look at Blakemar pipes.

Estate pipes is one way of getting a discount on otherwise pricey pipes. If you're thinking of that option, be wary of pitfalls. You need to know what to look for. Not all vendors are truthful in detailing faults or how clean their pipes are (very likely not).

Site sponsor, The Danish Pipe Shop, have pipes including estates, at a broad price range. They also give their estate pipes a rating and their pipes do arrive in a ready-to-smoke state.

As for tobacco, most novices start out with aromatics because of the pleasant room note. This can be a mistake as aromatics are generally more difficult to smoke - greater chance if tongue bite, difficulty keeping alight, smoking hotter and wet and gurgling. Virginia blends with or without Latakia/Orientals are a better starting option

 

[Akoni808]

Thanks for the response!
Yeah I've only recently just found out you sort of need multiple pipes to let them rest and not overheat them... which funnily enough isn't something I thought about.

I've heard the type of pipe alters the smoking experience/flavour? I've also liked the look of falcons. But I don't really know what to get into, or how many pipes I should buy.

I did some research on tobacco blends, aromatics and Virginias seem nice to me. Perhaps I've had bad experiences with cheap cigars, but I'm hesitant with English blends.

I wouldn't worry too much about the nitty gritty of pipes changing flavors just yet. You'll notice very quickly as well that tobacco preference is very subjective. I've never had much luck with Virginias yet others rave about them. I thoroughly enjoy burley blends, and I'm not a big fan of English blends, but I can tolerate them on occasion.

should I just start out with one for a test drive?

definitely. One will be just fine. You can decide from there. For the price you don't have to feel bad about abusing it as you learn to smoke a pipe.

Disclaimer: I'm no pipe elder

 

[Chasing Embers]

I've heard the type of pipe alters the smoking experience/flavour?

It does for some and not others. Nearly everything about smoking a pipe is subjective to the individual. Don't take anything you hear about it seriously and find what works for you.

 

[mortonbriar]

Be diligent cleaning pipes between smokes too.

 

[WVOldFart]

Before you start putting money into pipes find out if you like the taste of pipe tobacco. Get a basic Burley blend and a basic Virginia blend and maybe a blend with Latakia to see if it suits your fancy. Once you discover if you like the taste of pipe tobacco you can start investigating the many, many, many different choices of blends to try. Once your wallet is lightened from tobacco you can empty it with pipes. Enjoy the journey.

 

[deleon]

I have 2 corn cob pipes I use when I'm outdoors doing some yard work or grilling. The acrylic stem is a plus for since at times I have to bite down on the pipe when I'm lifting heavy bags of soil or planting. If I drop it I don't worry about the finish getting ruined it's a hardy pipe. Here's a link on the ones I have
Corn cob pipe

 

[AJL67]

Corn cob pipes are cheap. Pundits speak of their great smoking traits. I've never owned one, so I can't attest to that. But there is a lot of love for cobs, and they all can't be wrong

There are inexpensive briar pipes - £30-40 should get you a decent starter pipe.
Turmeaus(CGars Ltd) have a choice of options. If you're willing to spend a little more, have a look at Blakemar pipes.

Estate pipes is one way of getting a discount on otherwise pricey pipes. If you're thinking of that option, be wary of pitfalls. You need to know what to look for. Not all vendors are truthful in detailing faults or how clean their pipes are (very likely not).

Site sponsor, The Danish Pipe Shop, have pipes including estates, at a broad price range. They also give their estate pipes a rating and their pipes do arrive in a ready-to-smoke state.

As for tobacco, most novices start out with aromatics because of the pleasant room note. This can be a mistake as aromatics are generally more difficult to smoke - greater chance if tongue bite, difficulty keeping alight, smoking hotter and wet and gurgling. Virginia blends with or without Latakia/Orientals are a better starting option

Nooo
Don’t give Mitchell money … ?

 

[Casual]

Jump in. Both feet. Prepare for a year or more of trial and error. Mostly error to start.

 

[Merton]

It appears that you are in Britain and so some advice from some members might not be available to you. However, if you can get a couple of cobs and an inexpensive briar (even an estate from a good vendor) do so. I think that it is important to get more than one pipe and that at least one should be a briar. Some folks smoke only, or mostly corncobs or meerschaum, and that is fine, but the vast majority of us smoke mostly briar pipes. If you can get a Amphora sampler from an online vendor you should use this as a stating point. This will give you an aromatic (full), a virginia, a decent English, a burley and a cavendish style blend. Clean the pipe with pipe cleaners vigorously after each smoke. If you cannot get a sampler, try to get some of the (other) MacBaren virginia and Burley blends or some of the Stokkebye bulk blends. I would stay away, for the time being, from flakes, fruity aromatics and Balkan blends . Perhaps more of our British and European Brother and Sisters can give you some more advice about easily available vendors and blends. Good luck. This is a lifestyle and, dare I say it, hobby which can provide a tremendous reduction of stress. I have been a pipe smoker for a long time and, while not risk free, the benefits, at least for me, have been incalcuable.

 

[mso489]

Learn enough about filters so you don't buy pipes that don't have what you want, filtered or filterless, but also remember, most (but not all) pipes designed for filters smoke perfectly well without them. You only know by trial and error. The 9mm charcoal filters are especially popular in Europe.

Most filter pipes can be smoked without filters. If you then want a little more restricted draw, you can get an adaptor, basically a passthrough non-filter.

A few pipe brands have special filters or moisture traps. Just know what you are buying. Brigham, formerly a Canadian made pipe now made in France (I think), has a rock maple insert moisture trap. People like it, but it is something else to buy. I think the pipes smoke fine without them, but I don't know firsthand.

Just be aware of all this so you don't buy pipes that have filters or no filters you don't want.

 

[Bob the bear]

Hello and welcome from Edinburgh , I fully support a couple of corn cobs , don’t get the Morgan, it’s very small . Get the 5th avenue or similar with the smooth finish, they are so cheap you can get 2, or if you want to try one with a filter, as the above advice says you can just as easily use it without the filter check out the 5th avenue legend , country gentlemen or the Apple/ Diplomat shapes which can take a 6mm paper filter(okish) or the white elephant 6mm filter(rubbish) or the 6mm Savinelli filters( balsa or charcoal canister, very good ), the acrylic stemmed corn cobs are lovely. Slightly more pricey, the cheapest I’ve found them in the UK is gqtobaccos , online shop. VERY fast shipping . The Falcon range of pipes are ok, a little fiddly for my liking But for the money you can get a better briar like a Parker or similarly off the same site. Give me a shout if you want links to more UK sites for pipes etc.

 

[Bob the bear]

Also gqtobaccos as well as most other online shops ( the brick and mortar shop is mostly gone in the UK unfortunately ) sell sampler packs. aromatics are a good starting point but don’t waste your time or money on the rubbish aromatic pipe tobacco sold over the counter at the supermarket. Get a sampler pack from a tobacconist or online and see what you like. If you are not fond of cigarette taste the straight Virginias in the beginning might not be your thing, they also tend to bite if smoked too hot( as do cheap aromatics) . Cherry cavendish is a nice easy going one to start with. It’s a nice mix of cool smoking along with a nice flavour profile. Just my two pennies worth

 

[lraisch]

I won't contradict those who advise you to start with a cob, all I can say is that they don't work for me.

I will point out that most of the better quality pipes are briars and that's always my suggestion. Avoid cheap "wooden" pipes and maybe find a decent Savinelli or Northern Briars to start. It's a completely individual decision to choose a tobacco, but I do suggest you avoid aromatics and consider a mild English blend such as Squadron Leader or early Morning pipe to get an idea of the flavors a good pipe can deliver.

Of course, my opinion is worth exactly what you pay for it!

 

[AJL67]

I won't contradict those who advise you to start with a cob, all I can say is that they don't work for me.

I will point out that most of the better quality pipes are briars and that's always my suggestion. Avoid cheap "wooden" pipes and maybe find a decent Savinelli or Northern Briars to start. It's a completely individual decision to choose a tobacco, but I do suggest you avoid aromatics and consider a mild English blend such as Squadron Leader or early Morning pipe to get an idea of the flavors a good pipe can deliver.

Of course, my opinion is worth exactly what you pay for it!

When you say a cob didn’t work for you did you mean a $4 cob bought online and mass produced in China or a Missouri Meerschaum because those are two totally different things.

 

[warren]

Nearly every reccommendation or comment you read hear is purely anecdotal. Some is better than others. Look for the reasoning, how well it's written and is it logical before going off on "half-cock." The pipe is a personal tool, there is a learning curve which can't be taught, even with UTube, especially with UTube on occasion. The best way to learn is find a nearby smoker, a shop with someone qualified or, lastly, teach yourself, trial and error. It's a worthwhile exploration for most, a tribulation for some and a waste of time for many. So, get a pipe and do your best to filter all the suggestions.