What Are Three One-Liner Lessons for Newbies

[thomasw]

I agree with the notion of trying different tobaccos in small quantities initially. But I do think it is wise to read about different tobaccos at http://www.tobaccoreviews.com/ before buying any tobaccos. Also find some solid reviewers whose reviews strike a chord; for example, I find JimInks, PipeStud and deathmetal (even though they do not all share the same tastes and opinions) to be very thoughtful and consider their descriptions carefully and as precisely as possible. So read up before you try a tobacco and find some reviewers who offer their opinions clearly and meticulously...

 

[woodsroad]

1. Double-check your escape route before starting the back cut.

2. Don't take it personally, he's just a dick.

3. It is the questions, not the answers, that truly matter.

4. Don't panic.

 

[pipesmokingtom]

1. Measure twice, cut once.

2. Never tickle a sleeping dragon.

3. If it smells bad, it probably is.

 

[mso489]

Every once in a while, one or more of us old goats will give a piece of advice that is actually useful. This is mistake on our part, but if you pick and choose, you may actually get pieces of advice that work. Otherwise, reading this thread, you can get a good chuckle.

 

[aldecaker]

All of the old goats who smoke pipes are in the clear. It's the old goats who don't who have dropped the ball and can't pass pipe knowledge on to the next generations.

 

[hillbillyjosh]

1. If you can't stick your finger into a red hot bowl..... Without wincing

2. If you can't swallow the gurgle.... and like it.

3. If you can't tolerate Tongue bite.... Smoke cigars... ( well actually I've got some seegars that will light you up too) disregard last statement)
It's probably not for you
All for fun

 

[mso489]

Spend some time on the online retailer web sites, when you aren't buying but just learning. You can learn a lot looking at pipes too expensive to buy and tobaccos you are not ready to try. You'll pick up a lot of info about filters, shapes, the size and weight of various pipes, finishes, pricing, materials, and much more. Maybe even more instructive, reading about different brands and blends of tobacco will give you a much clearer idea of what you are smoking, the constituent leaf, the cut, flavorings if any, and much more. Scout out the lesser known brands and figure out their market niche. All of this can be fun and will definitely expand your knowledge of what you are looking at.

 

[hillbillyjosh]

So many Tobaccos so little time.....

 

[mayfair70]

1. Grow at least three extra legs; You won’t need them, but it keeps the crowds amused.

2. I’d take the awe of understanding over the awe of ignorance any day.

3. Always know where your towel is.

 

[sumusfumus]

Many, many, years ago, my parents allowed me to smoke a pipe, when I turned 16 years old. This was back in 1966. In those days, parents still had some authority, and I took advantage of my parent's generosity. Feeling like quite the young man, I went to the local drugstore and bought me a package of Mixture No. 79. My dad gave me one of his old, WW-II pipes, that he once smoked, I cleaned it out with some pipe cleaners, and a little whiskey, and packed that vintage briar with my sticky, wet, aromatic pipe tobacco. I just "knew" the tobacco smoke would taste just like the tobacco smelled! I couldn't wait for that feeling of attaining Nirvana to hit me. I huffed, and I puffed.....nothing happened. Oh, I did get dizzy, and did get sick, after getting a taste of rank tobacco juices. My virginity went up in smoke. But no Nirvana. I had to be doing something wrong! Not a great, first experience. But, I convinced myself that smoking a pipe would be wonderful, and the girls would love the exotic, aroma, be drawn to me like a moth-to-a-flame, and would think I was unique...different than all the other ordinary Marlboro boys. Well, they didn't and I wasn't.
That was then, and this is now. I still smoke a pipe, now and then, and learned a few things over the years. My advice to beginners:
1. If you like a pipe, buy it. Today, pipes cost a small fortune, and in my experience, a 50-70 year old "estate" pipe will smoke just as well as a brand new, shiny, high priced work of art. Regarding used pipes, look for a good brand, if squeamish, have the pipe bowl fitted with a new stem, then smoke away. Know this, you'll pay big bucks for a pipe with the "perfect grain", and the grain means NOTHING, and adds nothing when it comes to the pipe's smoking characteristics.
2. Buy some good quality, non-aromatic, non-flavored, tobacco. Look for a good mild, English-type blend. Blends using straight tobaccos. Wilkes has some great tobaccos. "Gotham Court" and "High Hat" were my favorite blends. Buy samples of tobaccos.
3. Pipes can be a PITA to smoke away from home. Carrying around a pipe, tobacco, and cleaning accessories is not easy, but it can be done, if that's what you want to do. Enjoy the pipes and tobaccos that YOU like...and don't be easily swayed by what you see and hear.
Good luck, and enjoying your pipe and the smoking experience is the main thing.

 

[hillbillyjosh]

Thank you for sharing that.

 

[hobie1dog]

and don't be easily swayed by what you see and hear.

That would mean stay off the internet :mrgreen: