Hello all. Long time lurker first time poster. I've been into cigars for a long time and want to try my hands at a pipe. Where do I start with pipe and tobacco?
Wanting to get into pipe smoking
- Thread starter kalvinklein
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If you have a local B&M that deals in pipes i would go there and talk to the owner. Pick up a nice estate or new briar pipe for around $50. If he has savinelli or peterson branded pipes you can go wrong. Ask him about the bulk to he carries and find out if he has Lane 1Q under a different name. Get an ounce and have him show you how to pack it. Its a very methodical practice. Light, relight, and enjoy. Some may suggest a corn cob pipe but if i had tried one for my first smoke i wouldve given up. This is how i got started and am still at it. Enjoy and Welcome!
If you buy a pipe with a filter, carefully place the filter in the trash can and proceed as mentioned above.
Ok, as a newbie myself, let me give you the most important information. Like the Hippocratic Oath, "First, do no harm," heed this:
FIRST, DO NO TONGUE BURN.
As I understand it, burn is different from bite and will not be felt until the next day. Trust me when I say that, it will be felt. So, sip! Don't try to get the volume of smoke from a pipe that you are used to getting from a cigar. I have scars from the attempt.
I would also suggest that you consider a corn cob pipe as your first. I thought them ridiculous when I first started smoking pipes, but have found that, Cobs Are Cool
, and they smoke really well. I would suggest that this be your first pipe over any "cheap" pipe you might find in a shop.
Get 1 oz. samples of some house tobaccos, or read the reviews here (and elsewhere) to learn about some of the tinned blends the members like. You'll find your way there sooner than you think.
Go slowly.
The rest takes care of itself.
FIRST, DO NO TONGUE BURN.
As I understand it, burn is different from bite and will not be felt until the next day. Trust me when I say that, it will be felt. So, sip! Don't try to get the volume of smoke from a pipe that you are used to getting from a cigar. I have scars from the attempt.
I would also suggest that you consider a corn cob pipe as your first. I thought them ridiculous when I first started smoking pipes, but have found that, Cobs Are Cool
Code:
™Get 1 oz. samples of some house tobaccos, or read the reviews here (and elsewhere) to learn about some of the tinned blends the members like. You'll find your way there sooner than you think.
Go slowly.
The rest takes care of itself.
Luxurytobaccoreviews.com a site sponsor, is a good place to start, also keep asking questions. What cigars did you regularly smoke? I feel that will dictate what types of pipe tobacco you will like to try. If your looking to find a similar taste i wont say its impossible, but it will be hard. I will say that as a previous cigar smoker, i enjoy the pipe very much and have all but given up the cigars. The gat thing aout a pipe is you can set one down, let it go out and pick it up hours, or even a day later, relight, and often find a more enjoyable smoke than when it was previously packed and lit. Cant do that with a stoagie for sure!
Welcome to the site. I would suggest getting something like this for your first pipe. http://www.smokingpipes.com/pipes/new/savinelli/moreinfo.cfm?product_id=87723
I would then buy the following 4 blends, one each of the 4 categories.
Frog Morton for English
Lane 1Q for aromatic
Fribourg& Treyer Cut Virginia Plug for a Va flake
Solani 633 for a Virginia Perique flake.
I would then read all you can on smoking technique, pipe maintenance, tobacco preparation, and proper loading of your tobacco. For the flakes I would cube cut them and use the 3 step loading system. This will give you a good representation of the 4 categories and then you can branch out from there. Give yourself the best opportunity to enjoy pipe smoking.
I would then buy the following 4 blends, one each of the 4 categories.
Frog Morton for English
Lane 1Q for aromatic
Fribourg& Treyer Cut Virginia Plug for a Va flake
Solani 633 for a Virginia Perique flake.
I would then read all you can on smoking technique, pipe maintenance, tobacco preparation, and proper loading of your tobacco. For the flakes I would cube cut them and use the 3 step loading system. This will give you a good representation of the 4 categories and then you can branch out from there. Give yourself the best opportunity to enjoy pipe smoking.
Definitely would suggest a basket pipe, corn cob, or estate. An $80+ pipe does, on average, bring a better smoke, but I don't think most people have the budget to jump into a hobby that deep to start. If you're interested checkout some sponsor sites like smokingpipes.com, because they have estate sections and you can find a pretty good pipe for around $40. Also, by spending a little less on the pipe gives you more money to try different styles of tobaccos.
As far as tobacco goes, definitely get a sampler pack with an English, aromatic, perique etc. You won't know what style is best for you until you try a few. A popular starter English would be Early Morning Pipe by Dunhill, 1Q for an aromatic, and I'd suggest Robert McConnell's Scottish Cake for a perique. Another suggestion is look to see if the blend is available in bulk. If it is you can spend less money getting a 2oz. sample.
The last word of advice I could give you is, don't worry. Don't worry if you're doing it "right", or if people look down on you based on what pipes or tobaccos you like. Smoke the pipes you find attractive and smoke well for you and smoke the blends that your taste buds enjoy.
As far as tobacco goes, definitely get a sampler pack with an English, aromatic, perique etc. You won't know what style is best for you until you try a few. A popular starter English would be Early Morning Pipe by Dunhill, 1Q for an aromatic, and I'd suggest Robert McConnell's Scottish Cake for a perique. Another suggestion is look to see if the blend is available in bulk. If it is you can spend less money getting a 2oz. sample.
The last word of advice I could give you is, don't worry. Don't worry if you're doing it "right", or if people look down on you based on what pipes or tobaccos you like. Smoke the pipes you find attractive and smoke well for you and smoke the blends that your taste buds enjoy.
look to the people on this page.. i am so new that tonight will be my third bowl. everyone on this forum has a great wealth of info. the one thing i am learning is that all tastes are unique and smoke what you like. oh and practice, practice, practice packing. i am finding out that the ritual of pipes is neat and relaxing. welcome to the group and enjoy.
Welcome aboard! I'd like to echo Roth's journey comment. There is no race to a collection, no race to doing it "right", its just you and your smoke.I think the most important thing you can do, is learn how to pack your pipe and handle your tobacco. I still find myself screwing the pooch on a pack job sometimes or pushing too hard for flavor.
I've changed my mind more about a tin then my wife changes hers about an outfit. One thing you can sure of in this place is if you ask for advice you'll get it. 100x over. Listen to all of it but do whats right for you.
Let me know when you grab a pipe, pm me and I'll send you some samples. Welcome to the fold.
I've changed my mind more about a tin then my wife changes hers about an outfit. One thing you can sure of in this place is if you ask for advice you'll get it. 100x over. Listen to all of it but do whats right for you.
Let me know when you grab a pipe, pm me and I'll send you some samples. Welcome to the fold.
Perique is a variety of tobacco grown only in Louisiana. It's a "condiment" tobacco, meaning it's used in small quantities to "flavor" a blend, much like one would add spice to flavor a larger meal.
Some think it adds a peppery taste and it's especially desirable when mixed with sweet Virginia tobacco.
With respect to lordofthepiperings, I would advise almost anything BUT buying a cheap basket pipe. Though a good one occasionally slips through, they are generally of poor quality and will yield a substandard smoke.
Buy the best quality pipe you can afford. Personally I'd prefer one or two good pipes over a dozen poor/mediocre pipes.
Some think it adds a peppery taste and it's especially desirable when mixed with sweet Virginia tobacco.
With respect to lordofthepiperings, I would advise almost anything BUT buying a cheap basket pipe. Though a good one occasionally slips through, they are generally of poor quality and will yield a substandard smoke.
Buy the best quality pipe you can afford. Personally I'd prefer one or two good pipes over a dozen poor/mediocre pipes.
Would you guys recommend buying a used pipe on this forum for my first pipe? I've been looking at the posts and it seems a lot of them are around $30-$40 used.
I'm getting really excited to try this. Can't wait to get some extra cash and try this. I'm a EMT so we don't get paid that much.
i feel ya man.. i am in the army and don't get paid that much. i do have to say that with my $22 dr. grabow i am enjoying this new venture into pipes. it is like wine.. sometimes the best one on the shelf is the $6 bottle. just enjoy it for what it is. the pipe is just part of the fun.. i am finding new adventure in all sort of tobacco.. i am just along for the ride.
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