Would Like to Say Hello, Just starting Out

[kalashfreak]

Hi all, Im 28 years old. A couple of months ago I purchased my first pipe after hearing one of my favorite radio hosts, Dennis Prager talk about the joys of pipe smoking. I've smoked cigars off and on for a few years but theres just something about smoking a pipe. The one and only pipe I have is a cheap Sarano Briar pipe. I actually have yet to meet one person that smokes a pipe so I'm kind of on my own. My local shops seem to know nothing about pipe smoking or tobacco selection. They pointed me to aromatics for my first tobaccos to try. The ones i tried were ok but I seemed to get a bit of tongue bite with them and they didn't have much flavor. The other day I picked up a an English blend called "english luxury?" I'm hooked. It was amazing. I know i shouldn't have smoked this in my aromatic pipe but its all i have. I would love to try other kinds of tobacco as well. Which ones need to be smoked separately in different pipes? If you all could recommend any of your favorite tobaccos's and where to get them i would love to try them out.
I'm looking to buy a few new quality pipes in the near future and keep my cheap one for aromatic tobacco. I was looking at the Savinelli pipes and they look great, I read nothing but good things about them on here. Seems like you can't really go wrong. I also see all these estate pipes for sale on ebay...this is where i'm getting really confused. I know enough to buy from a reputable seller but all the different makers of pipes. I don't know where to start. I don't mind spending 50-100 on a nice estate pipe, although it seems like a lot are for sale for less than that. Any advise or makers to look for?
Thanks

Jay

 

[tbradsim1]

Welcome to the fold Jay,you will find a lot of good fellows and good advice here. You can usually find a decent pipe for 75$ generally, look at the drilling, should be centered, can you pass a cleaner easily thru? After that its your tastes that will designate what you like or don"t like, generally but not always a thicker wall pipe will smoke cooler, I avoid painted pipes, that being said I have to confess I finally bought a ebony Kilarney bulldog Peterson and that little bugger was a jewel from day one, so sometimes follow your heart. Wish you well. The old cajun

 

[withnail]

First of all WELCOME! You'll find a friendly group here ready to help a fellow pipe smoker when ever they can.
One way of increasing the number of pipes you have, without breaking the bank, is the good old Corn Cob. They smoke well and if you choose to, you can replace them slowly with briar pipes as you find ones you like.
Smoking different blends in the same pipe? It's an individual chose although there is some crossover in flavours if you smoke very different blends in the same pipe, it's not the end of the world!
Personally I have one group of pipes for aromatics and one set for everything else. Others would add further divisions depending on which blends they smoke.
My top tip for any new pipe smoker is to look for places that sell samples of their blends. That way you can get a taste for which you like most. A simple notebook is handy. You'll start to notice that the blends you like or don't like will have some tobacco types in common. Once you know you like Latakia or hate Burley, you can look out for other blends with an informed eye.
I'll leave your other questions to those who know the answers better than I do

 

[martiniman]

Welcome aboard Jay, I had no idea Prager was a pipe smoker but it doesn't surprise me.

This forum is full of great advise and will become addictive.
My only advise is dont over think it. It's pipe smoking....relax, enjoy
Cheers,

Rick

 

[05venturer]

Welcome to the Club Jay!!, my advice would be to go to Missouri Meerschaum's website and order one of their "Grab Bags", you will get at least 10 pipes for about $30 which will give you a great rotation of pipes for a very reasonable price and just start picking up tobaccos that you think you may enjoy, if you don't like them now jar it and put it away for a year and then give it another shot as your tastes will most likely change over time. I would also suggest you pick up a pouch of "Carter Hall" which is available nearly everywhere and give it a shot, it is a very no nonsense burley tobacco with a great taste and no tongue bite. Happy Puffin'

 

[nsfisher]

Howdy mate, welcome. Pick up some cheap Cobs and a sampler pack or two of baccy, try to find your niche or the types of blends you enjoy. Light er up, sit back, relax and don't even think about what your doing, just enjoy

 

[bobpnm]

Welcome to the forum! Have fun!

 

[zonomo]

Welcome to the addiction.

My local shops seem to know nothing about pipe smoking or tobacco selection

That is typical unfortunately. My local shops only say "thats good", when I ask them about anything, whether its tobacco, pipes, tampers or anything. A week after I started smoking I went back in there and asked the guy if he had any 1Q. He said, no I'm sorry I've never heard of that before. Then when I walked past if very modest tobacco jars I see one labeled "I.Q.". So I open it up and smell it. I say, "I thought you didnt have any 1Q and his response: I don't we only carry I.Q.
Love Dennis Prager and didnt know he enjoyed the leaf.

 

[jah76]

LOL @ Zonomo.
Welcome aboard Jay!
You'll get lots of different but great advice here. My 2 cents is to spend a little time becoming familiar with the types and styles of tobacco. Sounds like you've got a tastes for English tobacco. I'd spend some time look at the reviews of Luxury Tobacco Reviews and Tobacco Reviews looking at the blends. Luxury Tobacco Review actually has them organized by type.
I'm not a big English guy so I'll leave the advice on blends to the others. Let us know how it goes!

 

[oldredbeard]

Welcome, there is a wealth of knowledge here, and some of the best people you'll run across. I agree with all the advice given so far, cobs are a really good way to get a good smoke while building your collection. And Carter Hall as well as Prince Albert are good mild tobaccos to start with, that don't tend to bite.
Research packing methods and drying tobacco correctly, as well as smoking slowly, always sip a pipe. These will also help with tongue bite.
Most of all enjoy the journey, it's all good.

 

[lordofthepiperings]

Welcome to the site and to the brotherhood of the briar.
Alot of time people will offer up an aromatic to a beginner. Personally I think it's more important to ask the person if they've ever smoked anything before. In doing so and finding out you smoke(d) cigars off and on then it would have been better for you to offer an English blend. It's definitely a good idea to get a sampler pack of different types of blends though so you can findout for yourself what blends you like. There's so many out there right now. English blends, aromatics, Virginia/Perique, straight Virginias, straight Burleys etc. I wouldn't be turned off by your first aromatic. Give some higher quality aros a try first like blends from H&H or Boswell or Lane Limited.
As for pipes you definitely want to keep the aros to specific pipes and the other blends to other pipes. I noticed the ghosting when I tried out Dunhill Flake which is a straight Virginia because I only smoke aromatics usually. The 1Q that I normally smoke in it came through which tasted fine but I'd rather have smoked it in a pipe I haven't had an aro in to get the true flavor. A good way to have numerous pipes to try out new types of blends is investing in cobs. You can usually get them for $5-$10 each.
A good way to increase your pipe rotation is through estate pipes. Some sponsor sites like smokingpipes.com have a section specifically for estates and you can also checkout briarbid.com or the ever popular eBay. Starting out I'd advise to look for Savinellis, Stanwells, or Petersons because with them you get a good smoker at a reasonable price.
Good luck in your venture!

 

[eibhir]

Welcome! This place is great for info and we love questions. Pipesandcigars.com has a great selection of sample packs that let you try lots of different kinds with out going broke. Enjoy!

 

[zonomo]

Want some Captain Black White? :rofl: j/k. No flaming please, was only kidding...

 

[puffy]

Welcome..If I could offer a suggestion it would be take your time and figure out what types of tobacco blends you like.For example. I don't care for straight Virginia or Perique.You may love them.We all like different things.Keep in mind that you can spend big bucks for pipes but you don't have to.You can buy decent pipes for under a hundred bucks.This is a great place to ask questions so don't be shy..Good Luck.

 

[allan]

Welcome!
I could only wish that a place like this existed when I started smoking so many years ago. This forum has and endless list of friendly members with great advice on all things pipe related.
Good luck
Allan

 

[drwatson]

Welcome! There are so many to choose from. You really cant go wrong with the savinelli's. Also Peterson kapet are cheaper and good quality, or some of the Parker jockey club.

 

[cigrmaster]

Welcome to the site. In regards to buying a few quality briar pipes up to 100.00 there are many great deals to be had. The first thing you need to determine is the size of the pipe you will feel comfortable with. I would recommend a group 5 in the under 60 gram weight range as a good starting point. You should get a straight one and a bent one to see if you like both styles. I would also suggest a few basic shapes like Billiards, Apples, Dublins. Pipes are such a personal thing that it will take time to determine what you like best. A quality pipe will make a huge difference in how you enjoy your tobacco. A pipe that is not drilled properly and that gurgles is to be avoided. If you would like some help in regards to purchasing estate pipes, shoot me a pm and I would be more than happy to help you.

 

[brassonly]

Hi Jay , its great to have you join us here. This is really a great site with lots of very friendly & helpful folks always willing to help whenever they can. I can really understand what its like when starting out I sure was thankful for the help & advice I got from members here. I still haven't tried too many tobacco's yet but am slowly adding more blends to my collection every chance I get . I sure enjoy the many varieties that are available in pipes & tobacco . I would encourage you to take your time & enjoy growing into it. There is no rush, its all about the relaxation & pleasure for me . I did end up with choosing a very nice briar pipe from Peterson for less than $100.00 which I really enjoy & I think I have also found my favourite go to smoke in Lane's 1Q which I would recommend for you to try sometime. Have fun & take care !

 

[yadan]

Welcome to the forum! You'll find here a great place to share info and solve issues. No lack of brothers who are willing to help out in :: all sorts of pipe/tobacco matters. ::

 

[ohin3]

Welcome to the sickness that will soon have you contemplating spending less on food and more on pipes and tobacco. Cobs are a great way to try a variety of tobacco types in individual pipes without breaking the bank. Once you know what kind of tobaccos you really like to smoke you can start looking for say your perfect straight Virginia pipe or your perfect latakia pipe or aromatic pipe... Don't forget that if you buy something and end up not liking it, there are plenty of folks here who would most likely trade you something you will like for it.