So New I Haven't Even Started

[scooterdoo]

I'm new to this, so you should probably take what I say with a grain salt. On the other hand, I just went through, like a month ago, what you're about to go to. So, I may have some insight these folks have forgotten over the years. Below's my $.02.
Don't start with a cob. Sure, they smoke great and you should get one eventually, but starting with one allows you to develop bad habits. No matter how you smoke or pack them, no matter what you do to your tobacco, regardless of whether you cleaned them or not, they always smoke at least at a 5-6. The same can definitely not be said for briars. IMO, it makes sense to start with a cheap briar. This will teach you how to actually prepare, smoke and care for a pipe properly. Additionally, you'll have a pipe that might last you a lifetime, and one you won't be embarrassed to be seen smoking in public.
You can find Dr. Grabow's for around $25. If you want to get super cheap, you can get a smokeable Grabow for $10 on ebay.
Good luck.

 

[jaytex1969]

If you're the opposite of jpmcwjr and like long videos, check out Stuff & Things' 15 part series on "How To Smoke A Pipe".
I enjoy his reviews. I found this series a bit overkill, but I watched it after I was smoking my pipes for several months. Even if you don't like the "How To's", give his reviews a shot.

 

[josephcross]

My best advice is jump right in. Buy some cobs, buy a few different tobaccos and start smoking. Once you try it and get a few smokes in, then you’ll have a better understanding of all the awesome info above.

It’s kinda like The Matrix, we can’t tell you what it is, you have to do it for yourself....,

 

[cwpiperman]

check out Stuff & Things' 15 part series on "How To Smoke A Pipe".

I VERY much enjoy hanging out with my "good friend Bradley"!
CW

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

I would recommend starting with watching Mr.Muttonchops Videos on Y Tube, Buying a medium priced straight briar pipe from a reputable manufacturers as Savinelli or Stanwell and if You are in the U.S get Yourself some Carter Hall and Prince Albert tobacco, cleaners + tamper then You all setup

 

[cwpiperman]

I would recommend starting with watching Mr.Muttonchops Videos on Y Tube

Muttonchop Piper and Stuff and Things vids are what got me here. Never regretted watching them. YMMV
CW

 

[cwpiperman]

IMO, it makes sense to start with a cheap briar.

If you want to find a cheap briar, I might suggest you check out Morgan Pipes "Bones". The Bones series are great, in my n00b opinion. $50 gets you a great-smoking (I have the Bent Brandy 3) pipe that will color over time and mark your journey from n00b to Professor Piper......
Again, just my inexperienced $0.02.
CW

 

[scooterdoo]

If you want to find a cheap briar, I might suggest you check out Morgan Pipes "Bones".

I go back and forth on whether these are actually good buys. Sure, they're relatively cheap but they are seconds, they are ugly and they do have a ton of pits. For $40 you can get yourself a Ropp or a Rossi, both of which might be better pipes (certainly will look much better!). For the $50 you paid you can get a low-end Savinelli on smokingpipes.com.

 

[jbchilders]

Thank you all for the advice! It's been a busy work week but I've finally had the time to read through everything and do some research. I'm ordering my supplies now so I wanted to fill everybody in.
I'm getting two corn cob pipes from MM, a Huck Finn non-filtered and a Washington filtered. I'm really intrigued by how a filter might change the experience, so I wanted one of each. I'm ordering a rosewood Czech tool off Amazon, along with some regular and bristle pipe cleaners.
I'm still doing some research on tobacco before I make any purchases. I may be overthinking it, but I don't want to start with a tobacco I don't like and get turned off to the whole idea. I've started Muttnchop's videos on YouTube; it seems like the trickiest part is getting your tobacco just right for smoking vs. storing. I'll make some decisions today or tomorrow and hopefully will be smoking by the end of the week!
Thanks again for being so welcoming, and please keep the advice coming. I look forward to diving in to this.

 

[sparroa]

What direction are you leaning towards with the tobacco?
I have always found filters unnecessary and unpleasant to deal with afterwards but judging for yourself will be the best way to determine their importance. I personally discard them right away.
I'm not familiar with this Muttnchop character but things can be pretty simple and straightforward so definitely don't overthink it too much before you've even attempted pipe smoking. Watching videos may help you learn a thing or two but experimenting is part of the journey so don't be afraid to dive right in after you've gathered your supplies.
I do not prep pipe tobacco for storage; I simply take it out of the tin and place it into a Mason jar then leave it undisturbed for years if the intent is aging.
For smoking, I keep the tobacco in different Mason jars that are part of my rotation and open them as needed to remove the tobacco which I then rub out and air dry as needed, per bowl.
Maybe there are other ways to do things but this basic "method" has worked better than all attempts to fuss with the tobacco or come up with more elaborate techniques. I have tried different tubs and canisters and containers but none of them are as good as the humble/inexpensive/versatile Mason jar.

 

[bigpond]

Jb, a quick tip- skip the notion of “starter tobaccos”. Often in the form of drug store aromatics sometimes loaded with chemicals that taste awful and burn poorly leading to tongue scalding.
I’d recommend HH Burley Flake and Sam Gawith’s Skiff Mixture. The first is about as easy on the tongue as it gets, is interesting, ready to smoke out of the tin and comes in Flake form. Skiff is easy on the tongue, as blends with Latakia tend to be, is very interesting and comes in an easy to smoke cut.

 

[jbchilders]

What direction are you leaning towards with the tobacco?

I haven't completely decided yet. I've smoked cigars for years so I don't think I really need to start with the super flavored aromatic stuff. My biggest concern right now is finding something that's forgiving to new smokers. Something that smokes smooth start to finish, can be re-lit easily, etc. I also have yet to find any really great resources on drying/storing/managing tobacco, so I'm still trying to find that.

 

[olkofri]

A lot depends on your mouth chemistry. Some people can't take latakia. What is inocuous to some tongues, burns the heck out of others. As said above, you just have to experiment and find out what works for you.
In GENERAL, English blends tend to burn cooler as they have less sugars than aromatics. But anything with a lot of virginias, aromatic or not, will burn hotter as virginia naturally has more sugars than other varieties of tobacco. Also, the finer the cut, the higher the burn rate and temperature.

 

[sparroa]

I sound like a MacBaren sales rep here lately but the HH flakes are top notch with a pleasant natural tobacco taste and great smoking mechanics - not too wet, not too dry, pretty well ready to smoke straight out of the tin and downright enjoyable without being complicated to prepare.
Old Dark Fired, Pure Virginia, and the Burley Flake are all high quality blends plus they have a few latakia options if you want to try that out.
ODF (from MB website)

"A bold flake of dark-fired burleys in a well balanced unity with flue cured Virginias. This flake is hot pressed, meaning that during the pressing, heat is added by steam to the tobaccos which causes the tobacco to intensify the marrying process giving us a bolder tobacco. The robust, earthly flavour of the dark-fired burleys shines through in the taste, and you will experience a deeply satisfying smoke indeed."
Pure VA (from MB website)

"A blend composed of both air dried and flue cured Virginia tobaccos. HH Pure Virginia is 100% Virginia tobaccos from North America and Africa. Both continents have a high reputation for growing the finest Virginia tobaccos in the world. Like all tobaccos in the HH family this blend has no top flavour and only the absolute necessary casing in order to emphasize the natural tobacco taste. You will experience the natural sweetness and “grassy” taste from the Virginia tobacco."
Burley (info from SmokingPipes)

"A simple classic, Mac Baren's HH Burley Flake uses ripe Virginias and a touch of dark fired Kentucky to complement its Burley base, making for a pleasant, mellow, woodsy taste."
https://www.tobaccoreviews.com/blend/5214/mac-baren-hh-old-dark-fired

https://www.tobaccoreviews.com/blend/10062/mac-baren-hh-pure-virginia

http://www.tobaccoreviews.com/blend/11576/mac-baren-hh-burley-flake

 

[jon11]

Jb-

If I were you as far as tobacco choices coming from cigars, I would get something from C&D. My recommendations to start would be Old Joe Krantz, 5 O’clock Shadow and/or Briar Fox. These are blends that have Virginia and Burley and are very forgiving. From there you could branch out to Vapers, straight Virginia’s and Latakia blends after. Oh and don’t give up if you don’t like cobs. I recommend a Briar Works or Moonshine pipe to start, weighing under 40 grams. Good Luck

 

[jbchilders]

I decided my first tobacco will be Mac Baren HH Pure Virginia. I really liked the description and it was recommended by a few of you. I may try an aromatic at some point but for now I want to start with something more traditional and straightforward. I've ordered a tin, and everything is supposed to come in throughout the week. Can't wait to get started!

 

[sparroa]

I hope you enjoy it!
Since Virginias are such an important component of most pipe tobacco blends, I think it is important to try a straight Virginia early on - this is one of the better behaved ones that wouldn't vex a beginner too badly.
It is a very well done flake. It may not blow your mind since it may be much milder tasting than what you are used to but I hope it grows on you as you smoke through the tin.
If you like the MacBaren Pure VA, a Virginia Perique blend would be a logical next step. My favourite tobacco is Escudo and that is widely recognized as one of the best Va/Pers on the market today.

 

[charf]

<p>Another important consideration: where to smoke it. Check with the House Manager first.

 

[cwpiperman]

I go back and forth on whether these are actually good buys. Sure, they're relatively cheap but they are seconds, they are ugly and they do have a ton of pits. For $40 you can get yourself a Ropp or a Rossi, both of which might be better pipes (certainly will look much better!). For the $50 you paid you can get a low-end Savinelli on smokingpipes.com.

I understand what you're saying re: the appearance of the Bones pipes. On the other hand, Chris examines each one for functionality issues prior to selling the pipe, and although the cosmetics are not always perfect, I really like the look of mine. Very few imperfections, and it smokes VERY well, and feels quite nice in the hand. MM pipes aren't the best lookers in the world (admittedly they are MUCH less expensive than the Bones (some are getting up there...Cobblers for instance). I do have several mid-grade Savinellis (in the ~$100 range) with my faves being my churchwardens and my 2 Roma 673KSs. My newest unstained acquisition is also my most expensive: A Radice Rine Pure Faux Bamboo...a beautiful pipe, wonderful smoker (smoking some C&D Pegasus right now in that very pipe), but I really do enjoy the Bones. Sooooo....to each his own, that's what this hobby is all about...there's no wrong, just fun, peace, introspection and PAD/TAD......
Oh, and the Frigate. Never forget the Frigate. I didn't forget the Frigate. Right, Cap'n? @ChasingEmbers?
Best,
CW