Pipe Smoking Isn't Complicated

[puffy]

If you're new to this thing and you're getting a bit confused.Really it can be pretty easy.It's just two parts.Pipes and Tobacco.Buy yourself a few decent pipes.They don't have to be real expensive,or even new for that matter.Learn to pack them in whatever way works best for you.What you pack them with is a little more tricky.I've learned over the years what types of blends I dont like.for example.Straignt Virginia,Fruit or alcohol flavored Aromatics.I also don't like Perique.Your choices will be different than mine.Keep in mind though that with all the blends around we have to be fairly sure of what we choose to spend our money on.Our hobby is like any other.If there is money to be made someone will be trying to sell something.We don't have to buy it all in order to enjoy pipe smoking.The best part of this pipe smoking thing is that it's full of honorable people who truly love it and are willing to help others in an effort to see it continue.

 

[spartan]

It can be if you MAKE it complicated. Just like everything else in life.
I think once you've found your "go to" blend that you will be happy and everything suddenly becomes much easier.
At least that was my experience.
I still want to try everything I can get my hands on... but if I don't like it I have a good pipe and some good toby that will make any bad experience a good one. ::

 

[chopz]

wait - which end do you light?
ok seriously, i'd like to contribute 2 brief comments. they could be related to anything, in addition to pipe smoking.
first, some people prefer complicated. i don't mind complicated as log as i can break the rules and make it simple when i feel like it.
second, if you don't make mistakes then you're not trying enough things.

 

[scotrob]

for newbies, it is often recommended to buy a corn cob first, as they are cheap and don't need a break-in....i didnt do this as I have always loved briar, but I did buy an inexpensive estate pipe (estate pipes also do not usually need to be broken in)...and some inexpensive, not too strong, tobacco...
keep it simple at first, if you're going to enjoy it then it will happen fairly quickly...pipesmoking is like any skill/art: no-one is born knowing how to do it, it will take some practice, but like all worthwhile skills, the practice will pay off AND be enjoyable

 

[mp31guitar]

I agree . All you need is a pipe and tobacco. I got on a binge, buying every accessory I could. Then I got to thinking, I already have everything I need to smoke a pipe. I still need more pipes and tobacco though. :D

 

[aussielass]

Great thread, please keep the pearls coming.

All you need is a pipe and tobacco. I got on a binge, buying every accessory I could.

Err, umm, guilty as charged, but in addition to every "accessory" I went mad on pipes too. Buying vintage, antique, hand-made is different .... "he who hesitates is lost". Sure, you may always find another, but it will never be the same one as you let slip by .... girlie logic, works for me!

 

[terry]

aussielass, I like the way you think...lol

 

[mp31guitar]

Very true aussielass.

 

[yoru]

I can't help but think those words every time I fail to buy Green Spigot Peterson -- I see very few of them, only two 307s so far. . . and none of them seem to compare to that first one that got away. . . .

 

[juni]

If you are an ex-, or current cig smoker you'll love tobaccos with perique since they pack a nice nic-hit.
My short advice is always: Dry your tobacco more, pack looser and tamp lighter.
I once got a corncob and the taste was nasty, the feel plasticky and the look ugly but the price was cheap. I have seen nicer ones since then.

 

[baronsamedi]

My first was a no-name english estate briar, followed by a new MM Legend and and then a Meer that I saved from the trash bin and fixed up. As of yet I've spent more on tobaccos than pipes. I've got a couple of new ones in the works that will cost me a bit of money, but spending lots of money on a pipe is a WANT TO thing not a HAVE TO thing.

 

[philip]

"The pipe solves many riddles, and then, sometimes, it creates a density. I put my pipe into my pocket and cogitated."

from Arms and the Woman by Harold MacGrath, 1899

 

[jcsoldit]

You know I enjoy all of the information now available to us thanks to the internet and forums such as this one, but if it would have all been available when I smoke my first pipe back in the late ‘70s I don’t think I would have given this pastime that I’ve grown to love a chance. Sorry my friends, but sometimes I think we make pipe smoking appear to be a lot of fuss for something so simple.

 

[baldy]

So true JC. About 3 years ago I got into cigars. Never smoked before in my life so found the cigar ritual at first intimidating. A cigar buddy suggested I should try a pipe. Sure I said until I found out what's all involved and was warned of this and that. These days pipe smoking is as simple as grabbing a pipe (any of the 6 or 7 on hand), stuff with tobacco, light and enjoy.

 

[swilly]

True, it isn't too difficult. I seem to have gotten the good hang of pipe smoking, but I think it'll be a while before I'm able to do multitask effortlessly while smoking. The process isn't difficult, but it still requires attention, especially when first starting. I've tried reading a book or writing some journal-related stuff, but found that I couldn't because I was trying to stay aware of how the tobacco was burning, how hot it was or if it went out, etc...
Listening to music or just thinking about things is no problem though. My multitasking is probably hindered because I'm not so used to clenching or hands-free piping yet... yeah, that seems to be a big issue too :P
-Swilly

 

[tiltjlp]

IMNSHO,the bad thing about the Internet and forums is that some smokers feel a need to inflate their egos by implying that what they say is gospel, and that if you are not doing things their way you're wrong. New smokers don't have the experience to weed out the phony folks from those trying to help. Not enough people start their comments with In My Experience or In My Opinion. Another thing new smokers should be told is that in most cases, higher prices don't assure any better quality in tobacco. Hype can be a budget buster.

 

[cortezattic]

If pipe smoking was easy then everybody would have a pipe smoker's card; but they're rare as hen's teeth. I rest my case. :lol:
Same goes for Certified Salesforce Tobacconist's medallions. :nana:

 

[jcsoldit]

Same goes for Certified Salesforce Tobacconist's medallions.

:rofl:

 

[seanz]

hell! If I can get it, then anyone can