dumont
New Member
Posts: 10
Location:
|
Post by dumont on Mar 6, 2018 14:52:01 GMT -5
Hello all,
I'm a middle aged guy from the Midwest. I smoked a pipe for a short time just out of high school and a bit in college. I'd like to take it up again simply for the relaxation, but after some reading I'm still pretty perplexed on where to start. There are so many tobaccos and pipes out there. I'll just state some of my thoughts in hopes someone can point me int he right direction.
- Pretty sure I don;t want to start with a cob. I know they are cheap and good but I think I'd prefer briar, plus I have a little more money than when I was in college!
- first pipe, don't need it to be dirt cheap but I think until I know I like it, $30 would be a good baseline
- this will be a very occasional thing for me
- no idea on what tobacco to start with
I know none of that is much info but I thank you anyhow.
Really hate that until i was in high school there were at least 2 pipe shops in town now there are zero.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dramatwist on Mar 6, 2018 14:54:04 GMT -5
...welcome, dumont... you've come to the right place.
Hang out a while, and you'll know what you need to know.
|
|
|
|
Post by Yohanan on Mar 6, 2018 14:56:47 GMT -5
Hello dumont, and Welcome to the Forum!!!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
Location:
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 6, 2018 14:58:40 GMT -5
Greetings and Welcome from Washington State.
|
|
|
|
Post by Ronv69 on Mar 6, 2018 14:59:30 GMT -5
Start with a cob anyway. You can enjoy it while you are shopping for the briar you want. Those of us with many expensive pipes still smoke cobs occasionally.
Oh, and welcome from Humble,Texas.
|
|
|
|
Post by Darin on Mar 6, 2018 15:01:56 GMT -5
Welcome aboard!  |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
Location:
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 6, 2018 15:04:02 GMT -5
Welcome, dumont. I should have my head examined for this, as I am bidding on these pipes and tobacco. The link is to one member's eBay items. Every item I have had from John is a winner... and a bargain. eBay Sloop John B itemsAs to tobaccos, if you want something sweet, try a Black Cavendish that mentions Vanilla. Lane 1Q is popular Want some plain smoke, try Carter Hall, Sutliff J4 Burly. If you want something potent, smoky, try the Sutliff Nightcap Match Mix on Pipes and Cigars website. I mention that first, because of price. If you like it you can try others. @jiminx reviews the Nightcap Match pretty equal to Dunhill's. I just tried some Murray's 1862 Whitehall that was a very smooth entry smoke into this variety. Two others to consider are Edward G. Robinson's Blend and E. Hoffman's Distinguished Gentleman or Spilman's Mixture. |
|
|
|
Post by papipeguy on Mar 6, 2018 15:04:06 GMT -5
Welcome aboard. You may want to check out some estate pipe sites and Ebay. Some real good deals that should fall within your price range.
As far as blends go, can you give us an idea if you're interested in English blends, aromatics or Virginias, et al ?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
Location:
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 6, 2018 15:06:02 GMT -5
Pipe: you'll be had pressed to find a better buy under $50.00 than in the Rossi Vittoria line. You could go with an #8320 Author and have a distinctive looking and good smoking starter.
|
|
|
|
Post by zambini on Mar 6, 2018 15:06:07 GMT -5
Welcome from Mexico City.
|
|
exchef
Junior Member
Posts: 292
Location:
|
Post by exchef on Mar 6, 2018 15:07:01 GMT -5
Hello all, I'm a middle aged guy from the Midwest. I smoked a pipe for a short time just out of high school and a bit in college. I'd like to take it up again simply for the relaxation, but after some reading I'm still pretty perplexed on where to start. There are so many tobaccos and pipes out there. I'll just state some of my thoughts in hopes someone can point me int he right direction. - Pretty sure I don;t want to start with a cob. I know they are cheap and good but I think I'd prefer briar, plus I have a little more money than when I was in college! - first pipe, don't need it to be dirt cheap but I think until I know I like it, $30 would be a good baseline - this will be a very occasional thing for me - no idea on what tobacco to start with I know none of that is much info but I thank you anyhow. Really hate that until i was in high school there were at least 2 pipe shops in town now there are zero. Welcome aboard, I'm rather new at this, been a cigar smoker the last 15 years. When it came to picking out my pipe, I spent a lot of time looking at them and then holding the various ones that appealed to me hoping to find the one that just fit "perfectly" in my hand. I found it, now I have been looking for my next one. You will find a lot of great information here not to mention numerous knowledgeable folks who enjoy sharing what they know. I wish you the best of luck in your pursuit and hope that when the bug sinks it's teeth in, it doesn't hurt your wallet too much.  ExChef in PRoMA (AKA People's Republic of MA) |
|
|
|
Post by puffy on Mar 6, 2018 15:11:40 GMT -5
I would suggest that you keep a record of what blends you try for a while.Note the type of blend it is and if you like it.Before long you will notice a pattern which will tell you which types of blends you prefer.
|
|
|
|
Post by mwps70 on Mar 6, 2018 15:18:45 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum form Illinois. Looks like you already have a start. Don't be afraid of a cob just to get you tasting tobaccos. It takes me a bit longer to buy briar because it really has to catch my eye. Good luck.
|
|
|
|
Post by JimInks on Mar 6, 2018 15:31:51 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum. Don't be shy to ask questions.
|
|
|
|
Post by mgtarheel on Mar 6, 2018 15:36:45 GMT -5
Welcome from "The Tarheel State"
|
|
|
|
Post by william on Mar 6, 2018 15:56:16 GMT -5
Welcome. I am new here too. You will learn a lot about tobacco at this site: Tobacco Reviews |
|
|
|
Post by beardedmi on Mar 6, 2018 16:06:31 GMT -5
Cobs are a great first smoker because they are way more forgiving of abuse than briar. They also take less overall care where a briar might give you a sour smoke after a few damp smokes the cob will be happy to incinerate everything back to back to back with a cleaner everyday instead of every bowl. I love briar but a cob is a great pipe with zero reservations, the only cobs I've had that gave a bad smoke were all because of my own mistreatment.
Overall, smoke what you like and forget everything else. A cob may seem cheap but they are far from it in terms of what you get out of them.
|
|
|
|
Post by cigrmaster on Mar 6, 2018 16:40:39 GMT -5
Welcome to the site. I will tell you what I tell every new smoker, you should buy a Savinelli as your first pipe. Something like this. www.smokingpipes.com/pipes/new/savinelli/moreinfo.cfm?product_id=269938I have been also recommending Briar Works pipes but those are even more money so I will stick with the Savinelli. A Savinelli like this will be a cool dry smoking pipe which will give you the best chance of success as you start this journey. Savinelli will give you a baseline as to what a good pipe should smoke like. This way if you buy other pipes down the road, you will know if it is a good smoker or not. Don't worry about the 6mm filter stuff. You don't need to use a filter or adapter to enjoy this pipe. In regards to tobacco, I will recommend the following. Capstan Blue Flake- 14.35 a tin of 50 grams Dunhill Navy Rolls-15.29 a tin of 50 grams When you break it down you are only paying around 1.20 to smoke some of the best out there. A bowl the size of the pipe I recommended will hold around 4 grams of tobacco. You will need to learn how to pack and smoke flakes but in my opinion it is worth the effort. I would use the cube cut method of preparing flakes in the beginning and then try your hand at fold and stuff the more experienced you become. I know you will get recommendations to start with a corn cob pipe and to smoke drug store blends like Carter Hall. I am not one of those people. I say go right for the deep end of the pool and have fun doing it. |
|
|
|
Post by papipeguy on Mar 6, 2018 18:01:30 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by TwelveAMnTX on Mar 6, 2018 18:43:36 GMT -5
Welcome to the Patch!
|
|
|
|
Post by zambini on Mar 6, 2018 18:48:50 GMT -5
Never tried this method before. I've defaulted to gravity fill with coarse cuts, fold & stuff with flakes, and 3-pinch with ribbons. The one shown in the video is probably more consistent. |
|
|
|
Post by cigrmaster on Mar 6, 2018 18:56:31 GMT -5
The most important part of that video in my opinion is when he says to check the draw. You don't want it too loose or too tight. You want a little bit of resistance. If you pack a little too tight you can open it up with a pipe cleaner through the stem and into the bowl. If it is too loose it will burn hot and you will lose a lot of flavor. The cooler you keep your pipe the more flavors you will get out of your chosen blends.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dramatwist on Mar 6, 2018 18:58:22 GMT -5
The most important part of that video in my opinion is when he says to check the draw. You don't want it too loose or too tight. You want a little bit of resistance. If you pack a little too tight you can open it up with a pipe cleaner through the stem and into the bowl. If it is too loose it will burn hot and you will lose a lot of flavor. The cooler you keep your pipe the more flavors you will get out of your chosen blends. ...respectfully disagree... wide-open draw is the deal... |
|
|
|
Post by Legend Lover on Mar 6, 2018 19:02:39 GMT -5
Welcome.
You might get lucky with a $30 briar, and find one that smokes well enough to give you a flavour of the experience.
However, you'll never miss with a cob as a means to get a flavour of the pipe smoking experience (imo).
If you're enjoying the cob, then you go get your briar.
But all that said, those are just my thoughts.
|
|
|
|
Post by slowroll on Mar 6, 2018 19:20:52 GMT -5
Welcome from PA. By all means, try a cob. But be aware that the first coupla smokes taste like cornbread. Don't let that put you off. As said, good starting briars are Rossi and Savinelli (a little more money). Try a light English/Balkan blend too. Lot of people find them very nice early one as opposed to aromatics. The wrong aromatic can put you off quickly, and there's so many.
|
|
|
|
Post by peterd-Buffalo Spirit on Mar 6, 2018 20:06:04 GMT -5
...welcome from SE Tennessee...Enjoy the Patch!
|
|
|
|
Post by Scott W on Mar 6, 2018 21:03:51 GMT -5
Dumont,
I ’ve been here a very short time and I have to say I’ve learned a ton. The forum is also very embracing and fun to be apart of. I’d say you are in the right spot for learning and some good times
|
|
Beardedpipesmoker
Junior Member
Posts: 359 
Favorite Pipe: New England Pipe Works Freehand
Favorite Tobacco: I'm not picky
Location:
|
Post by Beardedpipesmoker on Mar 6, 2018 22:54:02 GMT -5
If you are willing to break your budget a little Petersons are always a great starter for briar. You don't have to get a silver spigot or anything fancy just find a shape you like. Petersons are quality and one of my first pipes while starting was a Peterson and I wish it had been my first. They are great smokers, look great and easily recognizable with the Sterling silver band.
If that is still out of your range, you can look for some estates. (Used but cleaned pipes)
As far as tobacco, lane 1Q is a great place to start, it is a pleasant enough aromatic and isn't a cheap otch. If you are feeling a little more adventurous, I've just tried Orlik Golden Sliced for the first time and I think it would work as a starter, nothing to out there about it. But it all depends on your taste if you are the kind of guy that likes strong dark coffees and neat whiskey try something with a heavy latakia presence if not go for something with a little more added flavor like a nice aromatic.
|
|
dumont
New Member
Posts: 10
Location:
|
Post by dumont on Mar 6, 2018 23:01:51 GMT -5
OK, just wanted to chime in quick to say............whoa! This is how a forum is supposed to work. Absolutely stunned by all the positive comments and well wishes. Most forums are not like this.
That said, I have to start digesting some of this now, just didn't want everyone to think I popped in and then never came back after all these tips.
I will say that I'm now totally keen on starting with a cob. Any suggestions?
|
|
|
|
Post by Dramatwist on Mar 6, 2018 23:17:53 GMT -5
|
|
