Variety of Pipes?

[senathome]

Hey fellow tobacco enthusiasts,

I'm quite new to pipe smoking and have been really relishing the activity and relaxation that it offers. I have been very curious as to the variety of pipe's out there and was wondering if one of you may point me in the right direction?

 

[rigmedic1]

Just dive in and wallow around a bit. Welcome aboard!

 

[deuce26]

I just started as well. Bought two cobs, an MM Country Gentleman and an MM General. I would definitely recommend the Country Gentleman. The General is nice as well, but its real big and I am having a little more success right now with the Country Gentleman. Enjoy.

 

[mso489]

Do quite a bit of shopping without buying more than a pipe or two, at a local brick and mortar (B&M) if possible,

or online at some of the sponsoring online sites; all the major ones are sponsors here. Then ask questions.

Briar pipes are probably most popular, or equal to Missouri Meerschaum corn cobs, then Meerschaum. The American

market leans toward unfiltered pipes, but there's quite a bit to learn about that. Take a look for a week or two, then

ask away. People here have a lot of information, vigorous opinions, and much energy on the subject.

 

[goldsm]

I like suggest a bent dublin shape pipe with Aromatic(Lane 1Q) for starter.

 

[yorkshirepipe]

I third the corn cob, they're inexpensive, they don't need any special treatment, if after a while you decide it's not for you, then they can just be thrown, but they are great pipes!
If you get really into the hobby then look around at briars and such, you'll find so many shapes, sizes (and prices!)
Tobacco wise I'd start off with something light like a virginia blend, or an aromatic, I started on Petersons tobacco, Sherlock Holmes I think is good to start(just in my opinion)
Good luck

 

[thehappypiper]

Welcome senathome

Pipesmoking is one of those hobbies in which you have the choice whether to delve in or settle on something you like. You are not a 'better' smoker if you have 50 immaculate handmade pipes and a groaning cellar, than if you have one or two factory pipes and a couple of favourite blends. What counts is your technique and how much enjoyment you get out of this hobby. I recommend you get yourself a Falcon straight pipe with a bowl of your choice. There is a recent thread on these classic workhorse right in this sub-forum. They might not look particularly sexy or Olde Worlde, but the design is wonderful, they can be kept clean extremely easily and you should have no issues regarding quality, smoking pleasure, reliability etc. If you get more than one bowl you can have more than one pipe per day, or dedicate each bowl to a style of tobacco, say one for Latakia and one for Virginia/Perique. I also recommend something like Robert McConnell's Scottish Cake as a starter tobacco- it is rich, so you shouldn't be puffing away like a steam-engine going uphill and satisfying, with a lot of flavour you'll probably never have tasted before, but is not too hard-hitting, so you shouldn't feel woozy afterwards. It is much easier to get the basics of technique correct when you can be confident the pipe itself is not the problem.

 

[sean81]

The MM Cobs are fantastic. I own 4 of them. They are really good for trying a new tobac. If you have a B&M near you, I would suggest going in and holding some of the pipes to see how they feel in your hand. Don't be afraid to purchase a few pipes once you get a feel for the shape you like.

 

[rmbittner]

senathome wrote:
"I have been very curious as to the variety of pipe's out there and was wondering if one of you may point me in the right direction?"
Can you be more specific about what kind of information you're looking for? "The right direction" regarding. . . what? Pipe brands? Vendors? If you're looking for specific brand recommendations, it would help to know what your budget is.
Bob

 

[condorlover1]

Start off with clays and work your way up. Avoid antique meerschaums otherwise you will become a pipe bore like yours truly!

 

[rolldog]

Another +1 for MM cobs, they are your best value to start without sacrifice to quality of smoke. I also agree with 'Purplemotoman', I started out loving the ergo of bent pipes, but find straights more pleasing these days.
Go to BMs and hold the pipe in your hand, ask questions, read reviews here. It takes time, so enjoy the journey as you learn and grow in the hobby.

 

[foggymountain]

I suggest you get the best briar you can comfortably afford, and as mentioned above, a few cobs. That would be a good start. As far as what is a good briar, see what appeals to you and ask about it here before buying. There will be a lot of personal taste in the opinions. I might suggest a Dunhill Bruyere, someone else a meerschaum, and a third person might recommend a Peterson or Savinelli.

 

[stiivn]

If you want a good quality pipe for not much outlay, see what the Polish manufacturer Mr Brog is currently offering on Amazon. I recently bought [far too many] Brogs and [far too many times two] from another Ukrainian pipe manufacturer because they are such good value for money. If one or two turn out to be poor smokers, they will be recycled in short order. Dunhills and Savinellis are very nice but very expensive too. Petersons are merely overpriced.

 

[mso489]

stiivn, you're right, Dunhills are uniformly overpriced, new or "estate" (used). But people enjoy their high quality

and prestige. Savenelli, on the other hand, produces pipes in the whole range of prices. They have $500 to $1000

pipes, but they also make good quality pipes in the inexpensive range. You can buy unfinished Savenellis at

Cup O Joes, for example, for about $45 in a variety of shapes. These look rather raw and light colored when you

buy them, but after a few months of smoking they begin to turn a golden brown. Some of these have fills, but

these add to the individuality of the pipe. A few notches up, you can get great Savenelli pipes in the $60 to

$80 range, and on up from there in increments. Other excellent smoking pipes below $100 are are made by

Butz-Choquin, Chocom, Genod, Parker by Dunhill, PTM Amadeus, Dr. Grabow, EWA (for good small bowl pipes),

La Rocca, Cassano, Hilson, Benton (sold as Iwan Ries Exclusives at the Iwan Ries web site), Rossi which is part

of Savenelli, Luciano, and many, many more. I suggest a newbie learn the pipe shapes for a starter, just to have

a pipe shopping vocabulary, then familiarize himself with all of the brands I mentioned and more, more. If you

love briar, this will not be a chore but an adventure. Happy journeying.

 

[leparker]

Here's a link to Pipesandcigars.com that will take you to all the brands of pipes they carry; I often browse through these to see what I like!! Welcome and good luck!
pipesandcigars.com