[Scott M]

Originally Posted by caskwith

From what i can gather from reading various posts/website guides on pipe smoking it seems that when you get a new pipe it needs to be "prepared" by smoking tobacco to build up the cake. Not neccessarily, but a pipe that's brand spnking new will smoke differently than a pipe that's been used to the point where it's smoking the way you like with a blend you enjoy. There are certainly physical characteristics for this change, but some of it is acquiring a familiarity with the individual pipes preferences and how it burns the tobacco you're putting into it. If i start pipe smoking then it is only going to be a casual hobby for me, certainly not something i will do every day.
Is pipe smoking going to be suited to my style of smoking, ie every now and again when i fancy a smoke? Sure...why not? it seems its more of a regular thing for most guys here who do it almost daily, or at least a few times a week. OR have i got the wrong end of the stick? Well...maybe, but not about the pipe stuff.

Any comments and advice would be appreciated.

If ya wanna do it... then do it. There's a bit of a learning curve, but it's a continuing process even for guys who've been smoking for years.