Pipes Not To Buy First

[olkofri]

Funny, when I was at my local tobacconist trying to choose my first pipe there was a gentleman there buying tobacco, and he told me to 'buy the best I could afford'. I couldn't agree more.
I've always found the 'buy cheap for starters' advice rather disingenious, and not just when it comes to pipes. When I got into photography, I purchased the best I could afford; I didn't buy junk because it was just for learning and I would most likely destroy it anyway. True, there's always the chance that a newbie will wreck the equipment, but the chances of that decrease with the degree of dedication he puts to properly learning. Besides, good quality equipment can take the abuse a beginner is likely to put it through (unless said beginner has completely intestine hands, in which case, he's got to refine them before he touches anything).
Heck, even when I was a wee one, my parents always purchased me top quality toys and things—which always came with the clear warning/disclaimer from them: "if you break it, I ain't buying you another one!" Heck of a way to motivate one to apply oneself to take utmost care of things. Many of those toys are still in a box in my parents' house, in good condition.

 

[Chasing Embers]

A Dr. Grabow or a Missouri Meerschaum cob, and a pouch of Carter Hall are hard to beat, and anyone can afford them.

 

[sablebrush52]

Unless I'm rushed, the vocabulary I choose is always considered. Sure got your attention! :D

 

[warren]

joeman: Sorry to be the one to burst your bubble, even a used pipe can be a loser. You've maybe not run into such but, threads here seem to indicate poor smokers come in all styles and ages.
A new to the pipe smoker has no idea what to expect. A dipped pipe means nothing. It's just a taste, whether it's the taste of the dip or new brier, or cob. The new smoker has no reference point. And, I suspect a new to the pipe smoker will more than likely not become a life-time smoker.
olkofri: A cheap, sorry, me bad, inexpensive, kind of sweet smoking cob is a reasonable first pipe. And, I don't feel the need to parse the word inexpensive every time I use the word. "Inexpensive" is determined by an individual's means, not by yours or, my subjective interpretation of the term as it applies to the financial situation of another, particularly a stranger.

 

[olkofri]

Maybe I shoulda said 'elcheapo' instead of cheap, as I meant 'inexpensive due to poor craftsmanship'—think Chinese cobs. There are things that are inexpensive but still good, like MM cobs.
Although I wrinkled my nose at cobs at one time, I'm a believer now: point in fact, I'm about to place an order (well, re-place, since the first one was stolen) for a couple of Ozark pipes and a couple of cobs from MM.

 

[condorlover1]

I would give short clay pipes a miss unless you grew up surrounded by people smoking the damn things! I guess for the U.S I would probably try a cob!

 

[anthonyrosenthal74]

I'll walk down f%$@ing Main Street smoking a Meerschaum sculpture of a dog pussy for all I care.

8O um... 8O uh... 8O holy crap Cosmic :rofl:

 

[menuhin]

Happy new year to all staying up! ::
A very good thread to provide advice and start a discussion like this too.
Mso's suggestions are mostly canonical.
My suggested progression is:
Start with a "Basket pipe"

-> "Basket pipe" #2 -> "Basket pipe" #3 ... (until one doesn't burn their pipes, for me:a L.J. Peretti pipe)

-> Peterson's (directly from Ireland so you can return or request repair directly from them) or some other trusted manufacturers, such as Savinelli or Stanwell.

-> Corn cob (and this is the time one discovers that Corn cobs actually deliver great smoke)

-> Various pipe forms, e.g. churchwarden, chimney, bulldog (so as to explore one's preference)

-> Dunhill estates (so one learns how to keep a pipe in good shape when one wants to sell it for another one)

-> Other estates (after managing to understand all the Dunhill nomenclatures, one should know)

-> Artisans and Meerschaum

-> praying or mentioning to one's therapist about healing the P.A.D.
Meerschaums are indeed very "low maintenance" pipes - no rest and no cake needed, provided that one doesn't smoke them outside in very cold weather, and that one doesn't drop them.

 

[menuhin]

@Cosmic @Anthony
They do exist:

I really have no idea on what special occasions people smoke them back then in those old days.

 

[condorlover1]

Wasn't that last pipe owned by Oscar Wild or was it Rock Hudson? :rofl:

 

[sablebrush52]

The well groomed pubic hair is a nice touch.

 

[mso489]

Ah, some pipes maybe don't buy at all, would be a good idea. Guess it depends on who's buying.

 

[joeman]

Sorry to be the one to burst your bubble, even a used pipe can be a loser.

Warren, no need to condescend...I don't have a 'bubble'. I've refurbished a couple thousand pipes, and I certainly agree that there are stinker estates out there. I have provided my opinion, and my own experience related to grabbing a better quality (used) pipe for the same price as an inexpensive pipe. Take it for what it's worth.

 

[danielplainview]

I think cobs are a great place to start. After all the tongue bite and burned fingers, the sky is the limit. That’s the beauty of pipe smoking. Room for everyone at the table. Whatever suits your fancy. Whether it be a $5 cob or $50K Meer.

 

[unkleyoda]

Personally, I've never given a fuck about what anyone thinks about me smoking a pipe, or my choices in smoking gear. That's their BS.

This.

 

[pitchfork]

Great advice, MSO.

 

[warren]

No condescension intended. It was simply because you didn't point out the downside of used pipes. I thought the OP should know used pipes go both ways, some good, some bad. No different than with new pipes.

 

[aquadoc]

I cannot imagine not purchasing estates as a first purchase. Do your homework and take care in your purchases. I read everything I could find here on undervalued and bargain vintage performers. Both of my Webers are incredible smokers and I can say the same about all of my estates with the exception of 2 that were physically attractive but had poor smoking characteristics. I was careful on eBay and my wife surprised me with most of my first pipes that I was watching. I cannot imagine that a new, inexpensive pipe will perform half as good as many of my estates. And just about every pipe gifted me by members here have been fine smoking estates. I only had to read to learn how to properly clean my eBay finds. And that was fun.
I suppose many of the experienced pipers here would shun my choices but they have worked for me. You do not have to spend a lot of money on pipes and tobacco to find quality smoking experiences.

 

[anthonyrosenthal74]

You do not have to spend a lot of money on pipes and tobacco to find quality smoking experiences.

I agree. Some of my best smoking pipes were under 60 dollars.

 

[upnorth1]

Geez ... how did we ever figure out how/which/what to smoke before the internet? It's a miracle that pipe smoking ever got off the ground if you read this thread.