Hand of Glory
Junior Member
Posts: 328
Favorite Pipe: Chacom Champs Elysees (862)
Favorite Tobacco: H&H Blackhouse
Location:
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Post by Hand of Glory on Aug 10, 2021 12:16:13 GMT -5
What online resources do you use for information and guides? Who are your favorite reviewers and who do you trust to help in navigating the wonderful world of pipes and tobacco?
I know that conversations here are valuable for discussing our hobby, but i'm looking for resources outside of The Briarpatch.
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Post by pepesdad1 on Aug 10, 2021 13:08:58 GMT -5
If you are looking for other forums (God forbid) you might try pipesmagazine and Pipe Smokers Den...they seem to be the best that I have run across.
As far as smoking and tobacco reviews, I go on what I like and have tried...that is the extent of it. If I like it I smoke it.
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Post by fadingdaylight on Aug 10, 2021 13:34:54 GMT -5
I look over tobaccoreviews.com from time to time, but more often, I watch the WAYS thread here. I pay attention when I notice other members smoking things I like, try to figure out who has similar tastes, then see what else those people are smoking. That, and sometimes I'll just browse tobacco on SP, and skim the reviews. Half of the fun is just ordering a few things I've never tried and exploring.
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Hand of Glory
Junior Member
Posts: 328
Favorite Pipe: Chacom Champs Elysees (862)
Favorite Tobacco: H&H Blackhouse
Location:
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Post by Hand of Glory on Aug 10, 2021 14:04:01 GMT -5
If you are looking for other forums (God forbid) you might try pipesmagazine and Pipe Smokers Den...they seem to be the best that I have run across. As far as smoking and tobacco reviews, I go on what I like and have tried...that is the extent of it. If I like it I smoke it. I went and looked at many other forums before I decided to join one. I found this forum top be the best, in terms of community and information. |
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Post by Ronv69 on Aug 10, 2021 15:00:25 GMT -5
I look stuff up on Tobacco Reviews and Pipedia and Smoking Metal. But mostly what I know is from experience and 800 hours on the phone with Jiminks.
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Post by Ronv69 on Aug 10, 2021 15:02:05 GMT -5
If you are looking for other forums (God forbid) you might try pipesmagazine and Pipe Smokers Den...they seem to be the best that I have run across. As far as smoking and tobacco reviews, I go on what I like and have tried...that is the extent of it. If I like it I smoke it. Or PipeSmokersForums, the successor to the original PSF. |
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Post by darktater on Aug 10, 2021 15:59:29 GMT -5
I like this forum, no need to for me to go to others. I hit tobacco reviews, if something gets my attention or I don't know anything about it.
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Post by pepesdad1 on Aug 10, 2021 16:20:38 GMT -5
I like this forum, no need to for me to go to others. I hit tobacco reviews, if something gets my attention or I don't know anything about it. Used to...until they changed the format...now I can't find anything...and usually quit trying. Got enough tobacco to keep me occupied as long as I am around. |
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Post by Silver on Aug 10, 2021 16:25:17 GMT -5
The WAYS thread on this forum is a good resource. I learn about blends I've never tried and occasionally reach out to members for their feedback on blends they're smoking. Tobacco reviews is another resource that provides detailed reviews of tobacco blends, especially Jiminks reviews. I use Pipedia for information on pipes and pipe makers. And, yes, there are other forums that I also peruse.
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Post by taiguy66 on Aug 10, 2021 17:34:12 GMT -5
I look stuff up on Tobacco Reviews and Pipedia and Smoking Metal. But mostly what I know is from experience and 800 hours on the phone with Jiminks. Yes! Both Ron and Jason nailed it! Best reviews around unless you ask this group! 👍👍 |
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Post by Gypo on Aug 10, 2021 18:12:26 GMT -5
Samples sent from members was really helpful also spent some time picking lestrout brain he was very helpful to me last winter on the chat side. I have found this forum to have several members who have been helpful in locating blends. This is the only forum I have ever been a member of and only have good things to say about the folks on here. |
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Post by Ronv69 on Aug 10, 2021 18:20:24 GMT -5
Samples sent from members was really helpful also spent some time picking lestrout brain he was very helpful to me last winter on the chat side. I have found this forum to have several members who have been helpful in locating blends. This is the only forum I have ever been a member of and only have good things to say about the folks on here. Lestrout was an expert when I was just starting. |
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Post by urbino on Aug 10, 2021 18:24:34 GMT -5
Samples sent from members was really helpful also spent some time picking lestrout brain he was very helpful to me last winter on the chat side. I have found this forum to have several members who have been helpful in locating blends. This is the only forum I have ever been a member of and only have good things to say about the folks on here. In unrelated news, we have now released your firstborn, unharmed. |
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Post by trailboss on Aug 10, 2021 19:32:16 GMT -5
As a fan of good podcasting, I really like The pipesmagazine radio podcast, and the country squire. Steve Laug has been offering great advice to people wanting to restore pipes, and he regularly offers pipes at great prices. The proceeds go to combat sex trafficking. rebornpipes.com/Arno, the Dutch pipe smoker writes a blog with an international flair. dutchpipesmoker.com/Although these sites do not necessarily offer recommendations on pipes and tobacco, they do a great service to the pipe smoking community, and they have been around awhile. |
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Post by sperrytops on Aug 11, 2021 9:40:10 GMT -5
lestrout is always a good source. Otherwise, I usually check reviews on tobaccoreviews.com. With a focus on Jiminks reviews. Also picked up s few wonderful blends through other smokers recommendations. For example, I think I would have never discovered KBV blends had it not been for Ronv69 mentioning them several times in his chats. I place KBV and SPC at the top of my list right now.
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Rattlesnake Daddy
Full Member
Posts: 630
Favorite Pipe: Always changing
Favorite Tobacco: G&H Dark Birds Eye, Bayou Night.
Location:
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Post by Rattlesnake Daddy on Aug 14, 2021 7:48:19 GMT -5
I've been trying a lot of new blends lately and like to look at what people are smoking, as well as tobaccoreviews.com. I usually will read 3 or 4 reviews to see if I can get an overall feel for the blend, then order a selection. When I find a blend that I like, I look for similar mixtures in that style. Occasionally I'l search for soee youtube reviews. Muttonchop piper, Bremen Pipe Smoker, StuffandThings mostly.
For pipe information, I typically look at the forums, pipedia, or reborn pipes for basic information.
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Post by Darin on Aug 14, 2021 11:53:15 GMT -5
How deep in do you want to dive?
Grow your own? Make your own Flakes/Twists? Cook your own Cavendish? Roll your own cigars?
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chasingembers
Senior Member
Posts: 1,909 
First Name: Duane
Favorite Pipe: My Growing J. Everett Collection, Fifteen Day Bruce Weaver Set, Meerschaums, Oguz Simsek Skulls
Favorite Tobacco: Black Frigate,Solani Silver Flake, Yenidje Highlander, Angler's Dream, Watch City Slices, Salty Dogs, Mephisto, Ennerdale Flake, Rich Dark Honeydew, 1792 Flake
Location:
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Post by chasingembers on Aug 14, 2021 14:41:33 GMT -5
What online resources do you use for information and guides? Who are your favorite reviewers and who do you trust to help in navigating the wonderful world of pipes and tobacco? I know that conversations here are valuable for discussing our hobby, but i'm looking for resources outside of The Briarpatch. I had already been smoking pipes for years prior to the arrival of the internet and learned by trial and error. For over a decade I was the only pipe smoker I had ever met. Didn't even know there were online retailers and forums for smoking until 2014. Reviews are too subjective to the individual to be of any help to me and my tobacco purchases are based on the components of the blend. Never considered it a hobby and I just smoke what I like. |
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Rattlesnake Daddy
Full Member
Posts: 630
Favorite Pipe: Always changing
Favorite Tobacco: G&H Dark Birds Eye, Bayou Night.
Location:
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Post by Rattlesnake Daddy on Aug 14, 2021 18:58:59 GMT -5
I agree that in the end, there is no substitute than trial and error with what works for the individual pipe smoker. I will say that the internet has helped me expand my tobacco choice profile quite a bit. I bought my first pipe in the early 90's, smoked off and on for years never quite finding a blend that I really meshed with. Like you, I knew no other pipe smokers, save my uncle who smoked an OTC vanilla blend. I remember a friends father smoked Paladin. I never really had a local shop that I could develop a relationship with for recommendations. Those I did find pretty much carried aros (at leas I don't recall them carrying non-aro blends), and while I loved the aromas, they never quite hit me with their flavor profiles.
Fast forward to a few years ago. My uncle passed, and I was gifted his collection of pipes. They were heavily used, and I started to research online how to clean and repair them. That led me to this forum, as well as some sites like Reborn Pipes. That is when my eyes were really opened to the variety of blends out there. I've been enjoying discovering new blends ever since. Even found a few aros that I like thanks to reading others recommendations.
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Post by trailboss on Aug 14, 2021 21:16:46 GMT -5
“Inever really had a local shop that I could develop a relationship with for recommendations. “
A sad story I have heard so many times over the years, so many tobacconists miss the boat on expanding their business and therefore never connect with pipe smokers and/or help them in educating a potential customer.
Sell them a crappy pipe, a tongue roasting tobacco, and no advice on how to smoke a pipe has probably left a wide trail of people that have the attitude that pipe smoking literally sucks. Every tobacconist should hire an experienced pipe smoker to guide people.
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Post by trailboss on Aug 14, 2021 23:48:40 GMT -5
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Post by Darin on Aug 15, 2021 10:38:29 GMT -5
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Post by kxg on Aug 15, 2021 11:59:16 GMT -5
I frequent three online forums, here, Badger & Blade Brown Leaf, and Pipe Smoker's Den. I've never understood the animosity toward other forums or the need for forum "loyalty". I figure the more information the better, and each forum has a personality of its own.
As for tobacco reviews and info? I trust JimInks. His reviews are as close to objective as you can get. He has a highly developed sense of smell and taste and a discerning palate. He is consistent in his approach and avoids hyperbole. His ratings are based on how a tobacco smokes according to type, not what he personally likes. Once you get "calibrated" to his reviews, you have a good idea how a particular tobacco will go for you.
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Post by urbino on Aug 15, 2021 13:12:26 GMT -5
I frequent three online forums, here, Badger & Blade Brown Leaf, and Pipe Smoker's Den. I've never understood the animosity toward other forums or the need for forum "loyalty". I figure the more information the better, and each forum has a personality of its own. As for tobacco reviews and info? I trust JimInks. His reviews are as close to objective as you can get. He has a highly developed sense of smell and taste and a discerning palate. He is consistent in his approach and avoids hyperbole. His ratings are based on how a tobacco smokes according to type, not what he personally likes. Once you get "calibrated" to his reviews, you have a good idea how a particular tobacco will go for you. I read Jim's reviews, but I've gotten to where I take them with a grain of salt. Here, for example, is part of one I read just last night: I mean, African Dark Virginia and 2000 matured East Carolina Red Virginia are tobaccos, not Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Jelly Beans. Unfortunately, a lot of his reviews are this overwrought, with components described as tasting like everything under the sun. So, I read them because he smokes everything, but I also think he's run a bit amok. |
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Post by kxg on Aug 15, 2021 13:51:51 GMT -5
I frequent three online forums, here, Badger & Blade Brown Leaf, and Pipe Smoker's Den. I've never understood the animosity toward other forums or the need for forum "loyalty". I figure the more information the better, and each forum has a personality of its own. As for tobacco reviews and info? I trust JimInks. His reviews are as close to objective as you can get. He has a highly developed sense of smell and taste and a discerning palate. He is consistent in his approach and avoids hyperbole. His ratings are based on how a tobacco smokes according to type, not what he personally likes. Once you get "calibrated" to his reviews, you have a good idea how a particular tobacco will go for you. I read Jim's reviews, but I've gotten to where I take them with a grain of salt. Here, for example, is part of one I read just last night: I mean, African Dark Virginia and 2000 matured East Carolina Red Virginia are tobaccos, not Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Jelly Beans. Unfortunately, a lot of his reviews are this overwrought, with components described as tasting like everything under the sun. So, I read them because he smokes everything, but I also think he's run a bit amok. Hey, the guy knows his stuff. Do I taste/smell half of what he does? Heck, I don't sense 20% of all that stuff. But, it gets me in the ballpark with consistent detail. Is he sometimes over the top? Perhaps. It is way better than all those "Hey I like this stuff, it's good" reviews.  |
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Post by urbino on Aug 15, 2021 14:14:44 GMT -5
I read Jim's reviews, but I've gotten to where I take them with a grain of salt. Here, for example, is part of one I read just last night: I mean, African Dark Virginia and 2000 matured East Carolina Red Virginia are tobaccos, not Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Jelly Beans. Unfortunately, a lot of his reviews are this overwrought, with components described as tasting like everything under the sun. So, I read them because he smokes everything, but I also think he's run a bit amok. Hey, the guy knows his stuff. Do I taste/smell half of what he does? Heck, I don't sense 20% of all that stuff. But, it gets me in the ballpark with consistent detail. Is he sometimes over the top? Perhaps. It is way better than all those "Hey I like this stuff, it's good" reviews. Oh, they're valuable, for sure. Like I said, I read them. I just don't take the flavor descriptions seriously, except in kind of an aggregate sense. I pay more attention to his comments about how it smokes -- wet/dry, number of lights, cool/hot, etc. By the way, my great fondness for Radice pipes (Rinds, in particular) is largely your fault. For a while there, when I first got here, it seemed like that was all you smoked, and you always had pics. That got me intrigued about them. |
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Post by kxg on Aug 15, 2021 16:15:36 GMT -5
Hey, the guy knows his stuff. Do I taste/smell half of what he does? Heck, I don't sense 20% of all that stuff. But, it gets me in the ballpark with consistent detail. Is he sometimes over the top? Perhaps. It is way better than all those "Hey I like this stuff, it's good" reviews. Oh, they're valuable, for sure. Like I said, I read them. I just don't take the flavor descriptions seriously, except in kind of an aggregate sense. I pay more attention to his comments about how it smokes -- wet/dry, number of lights, cool/hot, etc. By the way, my great fondness for Radice pipes (Rinds, in particular) is largely your fault. For a while there, when I first got here, it seemed like that was all you smoked, and you always had pics. That got me intrigued about them. I need to take a family picture. I’m smoking one as we speak! Great pipes! |
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Post by Ronv69 on Aug 15, 2021 21:34:31 GMT -5
I frequent three online forums, here, Badger & Blade Brown Leaf, and Pipe Smoker's Den. I've never understood the animosity toward other forums or the need for forum "loyalty". I figure the more information the better, and each forum has a personality of its own. As for tobacco reviews and info? I trust JimInks. His reviews are as close to objective as you can get. He has a highly developed sense of smell and taste and a discerning palate. He is consistent in his approach and avoids hyperbole. His ratings are based on how a tobacco smokes according to type, not what he personally likes. Once you get "calibrated" to his reviews, you have a good idea how a particular tobacco will go for you. PSD is the one that always had the animosity. I've never seen it anywhere else. |
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Post by Ronv69 on Aug 15, 2021 21:44:03 GMT -5
I frequent three online forums, here, Badger & Blade Brown Leaf, and Pipe Smoker's Den. I've never understood the animosity toward other forums or the need for forum "loyalty". I figure the more information the better, and each forum has a personality of its own. As for tobacco reviews and info? I trust JimInks. His reviews are as close to objective as you can get. He has a highly developed sense of smell and taste and a discerning palate. He is consistent in his approach and avoids hyperbole. His ratings are based on how a tobacco smokes according to type, not what he personally likes. Once you get "calibrated" to his reviews, you have a good idea how a particular tobacco will go for you. I read Jim's reviews, but I've gotten to where I take them with a grain of salt. Here, for example, is part of one I read just last night: I mean, African Dark Virginia and 2000 matured East Carolina Red Virginia are tobaccos, not Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Jelly Beans. Unfortunately, a lot of his reviews are this overwrought, with components described as tasting like everything under the sun. So, I read them because he smokes everything, but I also think he's run a bit amok. Ooh, I'm glad I didn't say that. He REALLY takes his reviews seriously and he spends a lot of time on them. He smokes ever blend at least 4 or five times, in different pipes. He only compares a blend to similar blends and he doesn't let his likes interfere with his reviews. They may be a little wordy, but they should not leave any doubt about what to expect, eevenif you don't get anything but the major notes. |
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Post by Silver on Aug 15, 2021 21:58:15 GMT -5
I frequent three online forums, here, Badger & Blade Brown Leaf, and Pipe Smoker's Den. I've never understood the animosity toward other forums or the need for forum "loyalty". I figure the more information the better, and each forum has a personality of its own. As for tobacco reviews and info? I trust JimInks. His reviews are as close to objective as you can get. He has a highly developed sense of smell and taste and a discerning palate. He is consistent in his approach and avoids hyperbole. His ratings are based on how a tobacco smokes according to type, not what he personally likes. Once you get "calibrated" to his reviews, you have a good idea how a particular tobacco will go for you. I like Jim's tobacco reviews. I just don't have his palette, or ability to communicate what I'm tasting. I think his reviews are the best out there. As far as forum loyalty goes, I think the pipe-smoking community is much better off without an "us vs. them" mentality. I feel at home here, and belong to another forum, and still lurk on a couple others. While each has a slightly different vibe, I find value in all of them. |
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