Pipe Game Rookie

[cigrmaster]

When I decided to smoke a pipe I was sitting in my buddies cigar lounge. He had a small collection of pipes and pipe tobacco. I bought the Savinelli because it was one of the cheapest pipes he had. He showed me how to fill it, how to smoke it, all the basics. I was lucky as there were no sites like this to get info. One of my first pipes I bought was a really pretty Nording. It smoked wet as it wouldn't take a pipe cleaner all the way through. I learned that lesson early on. If it didn't pass a pipe cleaner, don't buy it. That is for me, some guys don't mind but it is a pet peeve of mine. The first two Meers I bought were crap. One was an SMS and the other a no name Bachus face. I finally bought a good meer, a IMP. It still doesn't compare to my briars. I will eventually get rid of it.

 

[sandollars]

Just buy a bag of MM cobs, I believe their $15 for six.

Do tell me where. I would like to pick up a bag or 2 for the "curious" acquaintances I run into now and then.

 

[HitchensDog]

@HitchensDog I only smoke a clay pipe!

I knew there was a least one member here that only smoked clay pipes. I couldn't remember your name, but I thought of you when I wrote that. You are a good example of why people should try different pipes and tobacco and land on something that works for them. I have one clay pipe. I smoked it once when I got it a couple of years ago, but had problems with the open draw. Talking about clay pipes now makes me want to give it another go. I guess it must be in the packing to get the draw right?

 

[Aomalley27]

Do tell me where. I would like to pick up a bag or 2 for the "curious" acquaintances I run into now and then.

They usually post their seconds around Memorial Day, and then again around either Labor Day or Thanksgiving (can’t remember which).
I like their seconds to give to buddies that want to try piping. Not much lost if they don’t like it.

 

[frozenchurchwarden]

You will get tons of people who say buy a cob, don't believe them.

Right, screw cobs, go for the Maple Diplomat: Maple Hardwood Apple Diplomat Pipe - CornCobPipe.com - https://corncobpipe.com/product/maple-hardwood-apple-diplomat-pipe-2/

The point is the Missouri Meerschaum plastic stem is mechanically engineered for the most smooth and open draw you can find at just about any price.
Ironically, all the acrylic and vulcanite special edition cobs also eliminate one of the best reasons to own a pipe from Missouri Meerschaum.

Of course the Missouri Meerschaum plastic stems being immaculately engineered for air flow does not automatically make them comfortable or durable, the plastic is soft and the button is quite thick (then again they are so easily replaced durability is largely not a concern, so if you're extra rough on stems then the $0.80 plastic stems might still be the way to go), but if you want to see what it's like smoking with the most open and smooth draw of any pipe you will ever own, then Missouri Meerschaum sets the standard.

 

[chopper]

It takes practice to get things right - packing, lighting, tamping, cleaning. Having said that, I've learnt more in the past 2-3 years about pipes, tobaccos and pipe smoking since I discovered this site and TobaccoReviews, than my entire 1st fifteen years smoking a pipe.

And I'm enjoying my pipes and tobacco a whole heap more.

Just beware of PAD and TAD

Same here. Before I found pipe forums and tobaccoreviews I had little clue - smoked the one pipe day in day out for several years [yeah I know, lol] with just two blends.

One of my pet peeves is when someone asks if they could puff on my pipe.
A couple of years back I was in hospital for a week.
Sitting outside with a group of smokers one said "I'd love to have a try of Choppers pipe" to which I responded "Since you're asking, would you like to also borrow my toothbrush?"
A pipe is not a bong for goodness sake.

I bought a dozen clay pipes since to gift to the curious.
At a few dollars each, when they go to hand it back I say "It's yours. Keep it."

Regarding comments on ghosting; I've not ever had a problem.
Maybe because I don't smoke goopy aromatics? Or because I don't build cake? Or the fact that I've around 40 pipes in rotation? Might be a combination of all three?

I smoke a variety of genres. If say I smoked a non-aro like PS Luxury Navy Flake and it had a hint of flavour from the previous bowl of Butternut Burley, rather than going off the deep end by getting out the salt and alcohol to exorcise the pipe, I'd enjoy it as a change of pace.

Each to their own and all that but some pipe smokers take the hobby way too seriously.
Pipe smoking is meant to be enjoyable and relaxing.

Pipes; I enjoy MM cobs as much as a good briar.
Meerschaum pipes are great but I chuckle at the image of a smoker donning a cotton glove before handling one.
It's a pipe for goodness sake, not a Holy relic from Crusader days.