Pipe learning curve

[brian64]

So I don't know if anyone else can relate to this or not, but I thought sharing my mistakes might be of interest to newer pipe smokers. When I converted to the pipe after years of cigar smoking, pipes were a novelty to me...so the first several that I purchased were just sort of random...whatever caught my eye at the time, or whatever shape/style I wanted to try out. These were all low to mid-range in price as I did not have a large budget to work with.
My PAD then went a bit dormant for a period while I was focused more on the TAD, until more recently when I've acquired a few higher quality pipes, and have now realized that I would have been much better off being a lot more selective in my early purchases. A couple of those earlier pipes did turn out to be great smokers, but others are very inferior to my more recent acquisitions, such as an Ashton and a Baki meer. I also recently discovered Lucianos which, based on the one I have as well as the testimony of others, seem to be outstanding for the price range. My goal now is to make my future acquisitions much more selective and of higher quality...and to study more closely the various artisans out there as well as the larger brands, and make more enlightened purchases. Much of what I've learned on this forum has been a great help in that regard.
This is just my subjective opinion based on my own experience, but my advice to a newer pipe smoker would be to educate yourself about the different brands/artisans out there and hold out for fewer, more selective, quality purchases as your budget may allow. I'm not saying that price and quality are always the same, but in many cases, you do get what you pay for.

 

[jchaplick]

I agree 100% oh and congrats on 500 and purple name.
Ive had pipes smokers of literally decades say that I have knowledge and tastes that I shouldnt in a bit under 2 years. It all comes from vigilant research, many questions asked on this forum (im sure some of you remember my questions) and many bits of advice from my friends at my local pipe club.
To all new pipers, keep trying, grab a cob and some tobacco, ask any questions and always look up and read on the pipe online. It will help you more than you can imagine. Also try and find a pipe club near you, or start your own

 

[frennchy11]

I totally agree. And it dosent take a top notch pipe to get you started. Start with a cob ad work your way up. I have been smoking for almost a year and my cob is still my best smoker.

 

[thebadkitty]

I agree too.

I'm still a newbie after 2 years and umpteen bowls a day. My first pipe was a no name briar that I paid twice what I should have from a shop owner who just wanted to make a sale. It is bad enough that had I not bought an MM General by sheer luck at the same time I might have been put off enough to not stick with the pipe.

I'm convinced that the Empire that Kevin has built, and the forum we all love has greatly improved that learning curve for many because of the huge database the members have gathered here. If I'd found it and a thread such as this before walking into that little store I could have spent my money on a better briar and that pipe would still be sitting on his shelf collecting dust instead of mine.
Thankyou brian and everybody, because my own learning curve took a steep climb once I joined this forum. Also apologies for my definate lack of pipe porn. I've had some pc problems over the last year and a move and blah, blah, excuse, excuse. Working on it, almost there.
-Steve