Pipes Not To Buy First

[aquadoc]

Well, discussing our pipes and tobacco is what the board is about and if it facilitates one becoming more knowledgeable using the experiences of others then so much the better. I am sure most anyone here learned how to smoke without the internet but it sure makes some things easier. Nothing wrong with a hive mind approach to learning. Geez...

 

[Chasing Embers]

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

+100
Most of my growing yacht collection were bought for under $40.

 

[upnorth1]

Well, discussing our pipes and tobacco is what the board is about and if it facilitates one becoming more knowledgeable using the experiences of others then so much the better. I am sure most anyone here learned how to smoke without the internet but it sure makes some things easier. Nothing wrong with a hive mind approach to learning. Geez...
Agreed, just ruminating.... when I was much younger, (I'm 67) the only information I could get on pipe smoking was from my Grandfather and Father. They had some pretty decent pipes considering their limited resources on pipe smoking information in rural Quebec. I was thinking that our passion is one of extremes, from the past with a dearth of information, to now with so many knowledgeable smokers with valid opinions that a newbie's head will spin trying to decide.

That being said, this forum is definitely the place to go to for all things pipe related and I'm glad I found it.
Now back to regular programming ....

 

[Chasing Embers]

When I started back in '91, I learned by trial and error. No internet, no pipe mentors, and didn't know books on the subject existed. Forums are a boon to the new enthusiast.

 

[philobeddoe]

I started smoking in 1990, small world! As to beginners, I would avoid filter pipes until you learn how to smoke first. My smoking learning curve went way up after I removed the filter from my first Grabow.

 

[Chasing Embers]

My smoking learning curve went way up after I removed the filter from my first Grabow.

Absolutely. :clap:

 

[brian64]

when I was much younger, (I'm 67) the only information I could get on pipe smoking was from my Grandfather and Father. They had some pretty decent pipes considering their limited resources on pipe smoking information in rural Quebec.

I would think that the great majority of pipe smokers in the past probably learned from their fathers or someone close to them, whereas my guess is that many if not most here are probably like me in that there was no one in their immediate or even extended family who smoked a pipe.
Also there also used to be tobacconists you could go to and learn from and inspect the pipes, but these days you’re lucky if there’s one anywhere near you who carries any decent inventory or really knows anything about pipes.

 

[warren]

My experience is much like brian64's. No tobacco shop in Fairbanks, just a Woolworth's with a few cheap pipes, Sail and Middelton's. Purchased a pipe. Sail Yellow and off I went. Just reading this thread would be confusing to a wanna be pipe smoker.
It's not as bad as when I joined, it's less dogmatic I think. We offer more suggestions now instead of instructions etched in stone.

 

[whiteburleydude]

I don't know if its been mentioned, but Peterson doesn't dip stain anymore. As for estates, my advise would be to not go Ebay at first until you know more about what you looking at. Go with a reputable site like smokingpipes.com for your first estate. But you still have to cross your fingers you don't get a Lakeland pipe.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Unless you like lakelands.

 

[joeman]

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.

Thanks for that, Warren. I admit I was not quite 'balanced' in my response...and that's likely because I deal so much in estates which I stand behind...and I've built a good reputation with many customers. It's true...both good and not-so-good pipes are sold out there as restored estates.
Many great ideas / suggestions here. Along with suggesting a first pipe (whether it's new / estate refurb / cob), it can be a great benefit when a brand new smoker has an experienced pipe smoking friend to provide a bit of guidance and encouragement. Despite the fact that I did have a good estate pipe in my hands...I struggled at first with the whole process - picking tobacco...packing and lighting...when to tamp...puffing cadence...etc. It can be really daunting for some, and I bet we've all known guys who just wanted to give up in frustration. My daughter is an example of someone who picked up a pipe and had a great experience from the get-go...with almost no help from me; she's just so comfortable and natural with it; but that seems more rare. A lot of newbies see the art of smoking a pipe as a daunting thing to master; I know I did at first. And knowing it can be a process for some, I've been able to gently coach some new pipers here and there (and even let them smoke my pipes 8O ) to help cut down on some of that initial intimidation. I've many times gifted a solid pipe (admittedly, estate), along with the initial supplies he needs to get on his way. I'm sure most of you have done the very same, and enjoyed being mentors.

 

[whiteburleydude]

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[whiteburleydude]

:clap:

 

[saltedplug]

sablebrush said pipe smoking is 25% equipment and 75% technique, and I couldn't agree more.
Since to me most pipes smoke as well as any other,I cannot list objective details or describe subjective perceptions justifying why one pipe smokes better than another. But many think otherwise, and I would be beholding to them to write about one or both of their perceptions, because so armed I might learn what I have been missing and thus enhance my smoking experience. I admit that in this I am in the minority, but truly, the forums are littered with such unsubstantiated assertions.
I admit that I may have been wrong once in my life, but just last night I was looking at pipes (is there anything better to do) on a site sponsor's site and read again for the 10,000 time that a pipe would smoke cool because it had thick walls; moreover, it was a stack and so doubly true. The sponsor sells pipes, and that seems exactly what he was doing.
I also admit to a certain coarseness of disposition, but to me the necessary components of a pipe are two holes, one of which holds there tobacco and another through which the smoke from that tobacco fired for the purpose of mouthing said smoke, with a channel drilled between that enters the chamber centered, and at the bottom, and of course a stem that doesn't make the jaw ache. Almost all pipes are so constructed.
So, to me, dense as I am, the unceasing assertions about the quality of the smoke, and thus the pipe, are meaningless. One member did defend an opened bit as spreading the smoke through his mouth better, but my mouth tastes the smoke well even with s small, machine-made slot. So Peterson vs Savinelli vs Stanwell vs Ropp vs Chacom vs Brebbia; new vs estate vs cobs vs clays, all lack one thing: a point, if the minority opinion can be expressed, that almost all pipes smoke equally well.
Oh, cobs smoke as well as Chonowitchs, as do Grabows. What bothers me about cobs that I can live with, is the wooden insert. Their chambers are small to begin with, and it takes a lot of smokes to burn through them.

 

[saltedplug]

I should add, however, that even the erudite Dr. Fred Hanna thought that "briar not brand" was behind lofty smokes that he had had. as well as others. Still, to me zone smokes are attributable to mind shaping matter.

 

[echambers]

I might be the exception here but while my first pipe was a cob I found it hard to learn on. I struggled with it for a couple of weeks then when I bought a briar most of those problems went away -- in other words it was easier to correct some of my noob smoking mistakes. Now when I smoke my cob (I have one briar and my cob so I rotate them) the cob smokes much better. I suspect that if I had started with a briar my first two weeks might have been a different experience.
I am really glad, though, that I listened to other's advice about it taking a while to get the hang of smoking a pipe.

 

[cigrmaster]

saltedplug,

Since to me most pipes smoke as well as any other,I cannot list objective details or describe subjective perceptions justifying why one pipe smokes better than another. But many think otherwise, and I would be beholding to them to write about one or both of their perceptions, because so armed I might learn what I have been missing and thus enhance my smoking experience. I admit that in this I am in the minority, but truly, the forums are littered with such unsubstantiated assertions.

I don't know what kind of pipes you smoke, so I will just give you my opinion based on my experiences.
Italian pipes like Castello and Savinelli and artisan pipes like Rad Davis and Brian Ruthenberg have shank dimensions of 4.0-4.5mm. Having an airway that size makes for a dryer smoke. When you have stems that are properly designed, you get no turbulence, no whistling, and no wet smoking pipes. When you have pipes that are drilled correctly, no wet smokers. There is a reason pipes like these are considered some of the best smoking pipes in the world. Stem design is really important to how well a pipe will smoke, that is not just my opinion but fact.
Properly cured briar is really important to a pipes performance. Cheap briar that is not cured properly will lead to a nasty tasting pipe. Many basket pipes use cheap briar, have bad internals and have poorly designed stems. If you have to use a bunch of pipe cleaners to soak up excess moisture while smoking then you are not going to get a very good smoking experience.
I am by no means and expert when it comes to pipes. I do know what a great smoking pipe is supposed to smoke like however as I have a bunch of them. I have had experience with pipes that did not smoke great so I do know the difference. I once bought a beautiful Ashton Dublin that was from the Bill Taylor era ( supposed to be the best Ashtons) and it smoked wet. Bad internals, simple as that. I have owned over a dozen Castello's over the years and everyone smoked fantastic. If they had vulcanite stems I would own a lot more, not a fan of acrylic anymore.

Here is a list of pipes I have experience with.
Castello

Radice

Mastro De Paja

Ser Jacobo

Don Carlos

Savinelli

Ardor

Caminetto (radice/ascorti era)

Viprati

Winslow

Former

Kurt Balleby

Peter Matzhold( had 3 wet smokers out of 3)

Reiner Barbi ( 1 wet smoker out of 4)

Rad Davis

Brian Ruthenberg

Bruce Weaver

Trever Talbot

Mike Butera

Jody Davis

Stephen Downie

Tonnie Nielsen

Abe Herbaugh

Steve Morrissete

Scott Thile

Ryan Alden

Zack Hamric

Upshall ( couple of wet smokers out of 8 or so pipes)

Pre Transition Barlings

Dunhill ( 1 hot smoker out of 3)

Lane Era Charatans ( couple of hot smokers out of 6 or so)

Willmer

GBD

Ashton(wet smoker)

Ferndown

George Jenson piece of shit altogether hot and wet, only one I ever bought

Nording ( wet smoker only one I owned)

Peterson (had the p-lip and it smoked like shit.) never bought another.

SMS Meer ( lousy stem)

CAO Meer ( lousy stem)
I may be missing a couple but you can see I do have some experience with a number of different brands. Over the years I have owned around 7 Savinelli's and everyone smoked great. They were not expensive either,I had one lone estate Autograph that had the highest value but I got it for less than 100.00. I will always say Savinelli gives you a great smoking experience for a reasonable price, which is why I always recommend them to a new smoker.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

All my Stanwells(Italian era)Savinellis and French make pipes smoke great,whereas those 2 Peresons with P-Lips are offering somewhat wet smoking experience.

 

[mithrandir]

My advice for which pipe not to buy for a new smoker would be any pipe handmade or any pipe very artsy. Not that they are not great pipes, but there are to many variables in the way they smoke for someone just getting started.A common shape from a well known company would be the best way to go in my opinion.

 

[seacaptain]

I recommend to all new smokers that they buy a brand new Savinelli. If you cannot afford a 70-100 dollar pipe then you really should not be getting into pipes and tobacco. This is not a cheap hobby so you should know it going in. If you don't own a good pipe then you will never know what a good pipe is supposed to smoke like. Cobs are not representative of a quality pipe in my opinion. If you buy cheap basket pipes that smoke hot, gurgle and smoke tobacco like shit, then you are setting yourself up for failure before you even get going in this hobby.

Holy smokes! (No pun intended). This is EXACTLY what I was thinking when I started reading this thread. I'm still relatively new to the hobby but I've went through a few dozen pipes from MM cobs to Dunhill and artisan pipes.
The best pipes, especially considering value for the money, are Savinelli.