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Post by Dramatwist on Mar 6, 2018 23:19:30 GMT -5
...Most forums are not like this... ...which is why most of us are here. |
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cgvt
Full Member
Posts: 906
First Name: Jim
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Post by cgvt on Mar 6, 2018 23:37:43 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? The Missouri Meerschaum Country Gentleman is a nice cob to start out with. It looks good, less rustic than others, and it is a great smoker for less than $15  |
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Post by Lady Margaret on Mar 6, 2018 23:41:44 GMT -5
welcome from Charleston, WV! i love cobs, especially when smoking outside. a nice starter pipe would be a dr. grabow omega or royalton until you figure out where you want to go. i started out with captain black gold, liked prince albert cherry vanilla too. i've graduated into english blends now, and cross-eyed cricket is a gentle introduction to english  |
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Post by Legend Lover on Mar 7, 2018 3:04:01 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? The Missouri Meerschaum Country Gentleman is a nice cob to start out with. It looks good, less rustic than others, and it is a great smoker for less than $15 I would second that. That, or the Missouri Meerschaum Legend (but I'm biased). It was my first corn pipe and the pipe I learned on. It's very forgiving, but I would say that the Country Gentleman has a slightly wider bowl diameter which makes packing that little bit easier for me. |
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Post by Artistik on Mar 7, 2018 7:27:08 GMT -5
Welcome from Florida! Don't shy away from cobs.
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Post by That Falls Guy on Mar 7, 2018 9:03:53 GMT -5
I would recommend ebay for your briar pipe. Lots of nice estate pipes there in the $30-$40 price range, That way you can select the size and shape that you like. GBD, Savinelli, Peterson, Stanwell, Barling, are some good ones just to name a few. Just make sure there are good photos of the pipe, and that it's in good condition.
Once you get established, if you stick with the pipe, you will most likely develop PAD, and end up buying more pipes anyway.
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Post by crapgame on Mar 7, 2018 9:24:30 GMT -5
hello from Pittsburgh PA!
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Post by Ronv69 on Mar 7, 2018 11:29:55 GMT -5
For a starter pipe, I like the MM Washington. Not as large as the the country gentleman, much cheaper and easier to work with when you are just getting started. I smoke mine regularly, even though I have most of the MM line.
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Post by That Falls Guy on Mar 7, 2018 14:50:52 GMT -5
Keeping in mind your starting price range, don't overlook a nice Dr. Grabow pipe. They're an old tried and true brand, good smoking pipes, and are selling at very reasonable prices. Also, another decent brand is Kaywoodie. If you can find a Kaywoodie Saxon, or Red Root, some of them are considered to be among the best smoking pipes anywhere. You don't want to start out with a bad pipe, since that might turn you off!
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colorduke
Junior Member
Posts: 224
First Name: Scott
Favorite Pipe: Dr Grabow
Favorite Tobacco: Carter Hall,Velvet,Haunted Bookshop
Location:
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Post by colorduke on Mar 7, 2018 19:39:25 GMT -5
Welcome from Pennsylvania, PA and a Dr Grabow and your good to go.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Mar 7, 2018 19:45:07 GMT -5
go with a briar first and add a cob later. Tobacco tastes different in both styles and briar will give you a baseline for comparison.
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flyinmanatee
Junior Member
Posts: 197 
First Name: Dan
Favorite Tobacco: Dan Salty Dogs
Location:
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Post by flyinmanatee on Mar 7, 2018 22:20:30 GMT -5
The Missouri Meerschaum Country Gentleman is a nice cob to start out with. It looks good, less rustic than others, and it is a great smoker for less than $15 I would second that. That, or the Missouri Meerschaum Legend (but I'm biased). It was my first corn pipe and the pipe I learned on. It's very forgiving, but I would say that the Country Gentleman has a slightly wider bowl diameter which makes packing that little bit easier for me. This is the route I have been going on my intial two months now. I would suggest two cobs- 1 bent and 1 straight stem. I have 2 briars as well but I'm concentrating on tabacco kinds/blends knowing there will be plenty of time for briars later on. I have a lot of cigar experience so I skipped the aromatics all together. Welcome to the forum. |
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Post by Legend Lover on Mar 8, 2018 3:11:14 GMT -5
As you can see, different people give different advice. So here's an alternative...
Grab a pipe and some tobacco and try it out. If you're not 'feeling' it then don't be discouraged (I think THAT'S the main thing)...come back here and let us know what the pipe is and which tobacco you used AND what you're experiencing that's not floating your boat (or what's working for you). The guys and gals here can then assist in what variables to change in order for you to find the perfect pairing to let you fly.
So, by all means, get a briar, but also get a cheap cob so there's at least a pipe-variable that you can change.
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Post by antb on Mar 8, 2018 6:40:48 GMT -5
Welcome from the Dark Continent!
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Beardedpipesmoker
Junior Member
Posts: 359
Favorite Pipe: New England Pipe Works Freehand
Favorite Tobacco: I'm not picky
Location:
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Post by Beardedpipesmoker on Mar 8, 2018 11:54:44 GMT -5
...Most forums are not like this... ...which is why most of us are here. Understatement of the year. I love this forum for its people and its activity. |
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dumont
New Member
Posts: 10
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Post by dumont on Mar 18, 2018 22:18:31 GMT -5
OK, I've been absent BUT I did win a Blue Spade Dr Grabow Royal Duke on eBay. I had intended to order a cob but after winning this I'm on the fence.
So, now I just need to order my first tobacco. Which one first, that's the question!
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Post by slowroll on Mar 18, 2018 23:06:48 GMT -5
OK, I've been absent BUT I did win a Blue Spade Dr Grabow Royal Duke on eBay. I had intended to order a cob but after winning this I'm on the fence. So, now I just need to order my first tobacco. Which one first, that's the question! Shouldn't be a problem, ya only have about 900 blends to choose from  . First decide if you want aromatic, English, Virginia heavy, Burley heavy, Cavendish, Oriental heavy, or try something representative of each and have fun. |
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dumont
New Member
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Post by dumont on Mar 19, 2018 8:04:06 GMT -5
The only thing I know is I don't want an aromatic. I'd like to start with something you can smoke all the time. I'm guessing that I'd like something English but I have no idea.
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Post by Lady Margaret on Mar 19, 2018 8:45:20 GMT -5
The only thing I know is I don't want an aromatic. I'd like to start with something you can smoke all the time. I'm guessing that I'd like something English but I have no idea.
you should still get a cob  Cornell and Diehl has a blend called Cross-Eyed Cricket which is an English aromatic, but it isn't sweet, or syrupy, anything like that, just means it's a mild English and smokes really good. I love it, and it's what really helped me move over into the English categories.
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Post by zambini on Mar 19, 2018 9:12:20 GMT -5
dumont maybe you can get Presbyterian or Match Presbyterian. It's an incredibly light, well-behaved English with no added flavour and pleasant enough room note. The different tobaccos meld themselves very well in this blend meaning that none of the individual components will go rogue on you and overpower the rest. A good B&M will carry Presbyterian or you can order the Match version from Pipes & Cigars online.
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tex45
New Member
Posts: 14
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Post by tex45 on Mar 25, 2018 9:03:59 GMT -5
Welcome from another new member;
We seem to have quite a bit in common, you are just younger than this old man;
chuck
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Post by crapgame on Mar 25, 2018 10:35:52 GMT -5
edgeworh ready rubbed match is a great start for tobacco... that is avalibe from P&C... Smokingpipes.com both of these etaillers offer cobs as well
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gav
Junior Member
Posts: 387
Location:
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Post by gav on Mar 25, 2018 13:17:03 GMT -5
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Post by Legend Lover on Mar 26, 2018 3:11:56 GMT -5
interesting choice...I hope you enjoy it.
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dumont
New Member
Posts: 10
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Post by dumont on Apr 27, 2018 22:59:22 GMT -5
OK, so I finally had my first bowl. I had a slight delay as a friend just returned from Cuba and gave me a handfulL of Cubans....
I decided that I'd wait on the Dr. Grabow and ordered a MM Legend Fifth Ave based on the several suggestions here.
I then called and talked to a nice gal at Pipes & Cigars and ended up ordering:
Lane 1-Q, RLP-6 & HGL
Sutliff Danish Cavendish & Black and Gold Cavendish
These are my starters. I tried the 1-Q tonight. I have no idea what I'm doing so it was just a medium tamped bowl to get it started. Nothing notable (again, I have no idea even how to draw).
So that's where I am right now.
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Post by bonanzadriver on Apr 28, 2018 0:29:33 GMT -5
Some good advice here, in respect to the various suggestions. Being a Bent Bulldog Style of pipe fan I'd encourage you to pick up a Dr. Grabow Royalton...  A great pipe and under $50. (just happens to be my very first pipe ever) A nice large cob, like the one suggested earlier in this thread, is a good starter pipe as well. As for tobacco? Tastes vary widely. Hopefully JimInks will chime in here with his decades of experience on smoking thousands of different blends. I'd encourage you to pick up a pouch of Carter Hall. You can get it for under $5 from almost any pipe store or pick it up on one of the many Click & Mortar sites. It's a nice flavorful tobacco with no "Bite". As far as technique? Pack the pipe relatively lightly and puff it easy. Puffin like a freight train will make your pipe get hot and will actually "scorch" the tobacco and make it taste burnt. I personally am an English, Balkan & Oriental fan. I really like Latakia blends. Many others are VaPer (Virginia Perique) fans. Me, not so much. In the end, there are no wrong answers on what tobacco you like, it's very much a personal choice. On several sites, such as Pipes & Cigars, Cup of Joes, etc... you can pick up sample's (a couple of ounces each) of various blends. I would encourage you to pick up several different ones and try em out. Welcome aboard & enjoy the great company and friendship you'll most certainly experience here. Dino Don't worry about how many re-lights it takes. |
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Post by Legend Lover on Apr 28, 2018 4:07:18 GMT -5
OK, so I finally had my first bowl. I had a slight delay as a friend just returned from Cuba and gave me a handfulL of Cubans.... I decided that I'd wait on the Dr. Grabow and ordered a MM Legend Fifth Ave based on the several suggestions here. I then called and talked to a nice gal at Pipes & Cigars and ended up ordering: Lane 1-Q, RLP-6 & HGL Sutliff Danish Cavendish & Black and Gold Cavendish These are my starters. I tried the 1-Q tonight. I have no idea what I'm doing so it was just a medium tamped bowl to get it started. Nothing notable (again, I have no idea even how to draw). So that's where I am right now. I had smoked a few cigars before I took on the pipes. With cigar smoke I could taste it clear as day. As far as pipe smoke I'm not getting the same taste except with a few blends. Personally, I find pipe smoke milder (which I prefer - cigars are too harsh for me), but I wonder if a Latakia-based tobacco might give you more of a fix. Others may disagree, but this is what worked for me. When I tried Peterson Old Dublin, I thought to myself, 'at least I taste something'. |
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steveinny
Junior Member
Posts: 322
First Name: Steven
Favorite Tobacco: Anything Burley from C&D
Location:
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Post by steveinny on Apr 28, 2018 4:44:09 GMT -5
Enjoy trying Aromatics, Virginia's, Virginia Burley blends, English with latakia et al. That's the only way you will get to know what hits your sweet spot. Tobaccoreviews.com has a wealth of info to mine. As for pipes, Cobs are a great place to start and they will always give you a superb smoke.
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Post by Legend Lover on Apr 28, 2018 5:26:29 GMT -5
Keep going and you'll find what works for you.
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Post by trailboss on Apr 28, 2018 10:28:17 GMT -5
I haven’t read the whole thread, but I agree with cigarmaster on getting a Savinelli. It will cost more than a cob or a second, but it helps center you on how a good smoking pipe performs. John’s video on proper packing works for me, and cigarmaster’s advice is spot on.
When you test the draw, and it is too tight, a pipe cleaner through the airway can dislodge a Flake that is obstructing the draw, and the rod on a Czech pipe tool down the back of the bowl can open the airway, and you can aerate the rest of the bowl if need be.
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. First decide if you want aromatic, English, Virginia heavy, Burley heavy, Cavendish, Oriental heavy, or try something representative of each and have fun. 
Cornell and Diehl has a blend called Cross-Eyed Cricket which is an English aromatic, but it isn't sweet, or syrupy, anything like that, just means it's a mild English and smokes really good. I love it, and it's what really helped me move over into the English categories.
