I would suggest different materials instead of shapes, namely, trying a meerschaum at some point. I really enjoy it!
Pipe Shapes/Styles I "Should" Try/Experience
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i just f=took a pick at my cellar now i t has been organized by my kids. They are jacked as they know what most things are worth. I went through the collection and figured they can easily get 15 25 grand, maybe more. I have educated them as to what the most pupilar l have in stock. I taught them how gouging especially to asians and europeopns.
au
I will never give a single out the real high end stuff and explain it to them.
I am really I going to people who have no problems selling bags of Stonehaven for 1200.00
I wish I was around to negotiate wit the different Asians. I used to clean their clocks in the care business.,
When I am not bored all teach you guys how to by cars, trucks and screwed on the back end of the deal. keep you from getting Interests sates, chock and crock, always take it to an independent dealer and pay the fee that is well worth it.
au
I will never give a single out the real high end stuff and explain it to them.
I am really I going to people who have no problems selling bags of Stonehaven for 1200.00
I wish I was around to negotiate wit the different Asians. I used to clean their clocks in the care business.,
When I am not bored all teach you guys how to by cars, trucks and screwed on the back end of the deal. keep you from getting Interests sates, chock and crock, always take it to an independent dealer and pay the fee that is well worth it.
Rather than a shape to try, I’d suggest mass. Light pipes are really great, and are a much nicer clench experience. Try to find a pipe in the 20-25g range, any shape. I have an 18g Castello and can barely tell it’s in my mouth.
There are some blends that taste better in a small bowl than large. [Granger is a good example. In a larger bowl it turns bitter after halfway through a bowl which doesn't happen in a small bowl]
Some blends taste slightly better in a cob [Burley blends for example] or a meerschaum than a briar.
The only shape where I notice any difference with smoking various blends is the Reverse Calabash.
An RC can take the 'edge' off certain blends.
Some blends taste slightly better in a cob [Burley blends for example] or a meerschaum than a briar.
The only shape where I notice any difference with smoking various blends is the Reverse Calabash.
An RC can take the 'edge' off certain blends.
^^^^
My gourd calabash is a completely different smoking experience altogether compared to all my other pipes.
Drier, cooler, milder&more "airy" smoke (dilution factor with the increased air volume), NO tongue bite and NO nic hit.
I've never seen a Lee pipe in my part of the woods. I've read that they seem to be superior to all other marques. I don't know if the source was/is reputable though.
Skulls, you should definitely try skulls.
I would offer a different take than what others have said, but not because I disagree with them though.
I would suggest buying three different pipes.
First buy an inexpensive basket pipe of no particular variety that appeals to for not much money. It might be a piece of shit or it might end up as your favorite. You just never know. I’ve had both - still have a couple that are favorites.
Second buy an artisan pipe or a very high quality factory pipe from a reputable seller, maybe an estate if you want to stretch your buying power. Don’t go cheap though, actually get outside your comfort zone and treat yourself to a lovely high quality pipe. Think Dunhill or an artisan that lights your fire, ormaybe something insane like a Werner Mummert or whatever. Chances are you will have it for decades and cherish it, so stretch yourself a bit.
Third buy a good production pipe, something brand new, middle of the road, think Stanwell, Savinelli, Peterson, Ropp, or any of a dozen or more well known makers. Nothing fancy or rare, just a nice solid pipe in your comfort zone. Take some time to buy something that you like because again you might love it and smoke it for years and years.
At the end you might discover that you love each of the three pipes and that each smokes well but perhaps for different reasons. Alternatively, you might discover a passion for something or find you hate one of them. But the experience will probably teach you a lot about your own preferences and smoking style and guide you in the (hopefully) many years you will be smoking and enjoying pipes.
And if not, trade or sell them, but if you bought cool stuff give me a heads up so I can score a killer deal on cool pipes, lol. Pick good ones, I don’t want any crappy pipes. ?
I would suggest buying three different pipes.
First buy an inexpensive basket pipe of no particular variety that appeals to for not much money. It might be a piece of shit or it might end up as your favorite. You just never know. I’ve had both - still have a couple that are favorites.
Second buy an artisan pipe or a very high quality factory pipe from a reputable seller, maybe an estate if you want to stretch your buying power. Don’t go cheap though, actually get outside your comfort zone and treat yourself to a lovely high quality pipe. Think Dunhill or an artisan that lights your fire, ormaybe something insane like a Werner Mummert or whatever. Chances are you will have it for decades and cherish it, so stretch yourself a bit.
Third buy a good production pipe, something brand new, middle of the road, think Stanwell, Savinelli, Peterson, Ropp, or any of a dozen or more well known makers. Nothing fancy or rare, just a nice solid pipe in your comfort zone. Take some time to buy something that you like because again you might love it and smoke it for years and years.
At the end you might discover that you love each of the three pipes and that each smokes well but perhaps for different reasons. Alternatively, you might discover a passion for something or find you hate one of them. But the experience will probably teach you a lot about your own preferences and smoking style and guide you in the (hopefully) many years you will be smoking and enjoying pipes.
And if not, trade or sell them, but if you bought cool stuff give me a heads up so I can score a killer deal on cool pipes, lol. Pick good ones, I don’t want any crappy pipes. ?
No matter how much I tell myself that wine tastes the same in a pot mug compared to a wine glass it doesn't to me. Wine needs a fine glass.
Fine tobacco needs a fine pipe! Though what that is to you may differ. Buy what you enjoy looking at. It will enhance the experience for you.
Fine tobacco needs a fine pipe! Though what that is to you may differ. Buy what you enjoy looking at. It will enhance the experience for you.
Interesting, visually I’m not drawn to cherrywood normally, but they tend to be priced lower… might pick one up
Try a full bent pipe. One that hangs from your mouth without much fuss. Try 4 to 6 bowls out of it. I remember I had a near 30's era yello bole hungarian-oompaul It was within my first year or two I smoked. I smoked it once, decided it wasnt for me and sold it. Jump ten years ahead and pretty much only smoke full bent pipes and wish I had it back.
Try a P-Lip pipe. I was resistant to them, but finally broke down and bought one in a forum trade.
I still prefer fish tails, but the P-Lip is a good smoke too, and a different experience.
Many say shape doesn't matter. I have 2 Savinelli Billiard shapes, one bent and one straight, that I use for latakia blends. The bent one seems to tone down the intensity of flavors a bit.
It works out nicely for me. If a blend seems overpowered, I'll use the bent and if it seems too light, the straight pipe gets used.
My Viking Dublin with the conical chamber shape is one of my favorite VA flake pipes. It seems to "focus" the flavor as I approach the bottom.
Everyone's experience differs, so cast your net far and wide. As long as you don't buy total crap pipes, someone here will happily take it off your hands if you don't like it.
Gamble on a few $25 estates on that damned auction site. I've gotten a few gems that way.
I still prefer fish tails, but the P-Lip is a good smoke too, and a different experience.
Many say shape doesn't matter. I have 2 Savinelli Billiard shapes, one bent and one straight, that I use for latakia blends. The bent one seems to tone down the intensity of flavors a bit.
It works out nicely for me. If a blend seems overpowered, I'll use the bent and if it seems too light, the straight pipe gets used.
My Viking Dublin with the conical chamber shape is one of my favorite VA flake pipes. It seems to "focus" the flavor as I approach the bottom.
Everyone's experience differs, so cast your net far and wide. As long as you don't buy total crap pipes, someone here will happily take it off your hands if you don't like it.
Gamble on a few $25 estates on that damned auction site. I've gotten a few gems that way.
Most wine comes in a fine glass ... just remove the cork !
(Kidding !!)
Maybe try ? Yes, you might want to try those traditionally well liked shapes that most people agree upon to see what they agree upon. Somewhere on this site it was pointed out that the (allegedly) two most popular shapes for pipe smokers were the straight billiard and the bent billiard with medium bowls with chambers of approximately 20mm width and 40mm depth. If that's so, try those two shapes.
You may also want to try a large bowl 1/4 bent billiard or a swan neck...why ? because some people rave about them as a perfect smoke. (Much like peterson system shape or certain Savinelli dry.) Next, the full bent billiard like a savinelli 614 because it is reputed to be so comfortable hanging in the mouth. Next maybe the John Bull Peterson 999 shape, again because its so convenient and comfortable. Finally, I would suggest a 1/2 bent sitter for the same reason as the swan neck or 1/4 bent billiard ... sheer comfort.
Those are the shapes I most consistently return to in my rotation. Finally, always buy the best quality you can afford at the time. Quality speaks for itself and lasts a long time and retains resale value.
Just my thoughts reduced to 2 cents. Try them all and keep what you like.
Even the emojis agree: 
I've been given some pipes as gifts and prizes that I wouldn't otherwise own and have enjoyed very much. My wife gave me my first churchwarden, a Sav 601, and my only Oom-Paul/Hungarian, a Sav Hercules. I just won my only Hawkbill that is a particularly graceful version of the shape, in bayareabriar's limerick contest for vets. The late great fish'n'banjo sent me my first and only meer, a straight billiard with grape carvings. And years ago, a member from Canada sent me a Ferndown, which is by far my best Brit wood. None of these is something I would have bought for myself, not knowing any better.
When I started clenching I realized that there are more to it than looks. These are the top characteristics I consider when searching for a new pipe.
Bent pipes are more stable than straight ones although your teeth arrangement might enable stable straights as well. I love the looks of a billiard, but I haven't succeded smoking one with both style and comfort at the same time yet. Maybe that time will come...
Shorter and/or lighter pipes are more comfortable if you clench for long times.
Fishtails are less intrusive in the mouth than thicker mouthpieces.
Bent pipes are more stable than straight ones although your teeth arrangement might enable stable straights as well. I love the looks of a billiard, but I haven't succeded smoking one with both style and comfort at the same time yet. Maybe that time will come...
Shorter and/or lighter pipes are more comfortable if you clench for long times.
Fishtails are less intrusive in the mouth than thicker mouthpieces.