newbie wanting to get into pipes

[alindeman1989]

Hey guys i am a pretty new guy to the whole cigar/pipe thing and was just wondering what a good "starter" pipe would be, i be willing to spend about 50 bucks. also what a nice tobacco would be for a newbie like myself. I know guys im a noob like no other but just help me out

[rolyat150]

Personally I started on a cheap off-brand estate briar from my local B&M. I would recommend starting on a corn cob pipe though, they are cheap yet smoke very nicely. You can order them from frenchyspipes.com. Frenchy is a great guy, he'll hook you up. Do you have a B&M near you? I'd recommend starting off with a couple aromatics. That's what I did anyway, then I learned that there were many many other tinned and bulk tobaccos lol. Stick around this place, it's a good place to learn alot. Oh and welcome to CS!

Taylor

[tzilt]

Originally Posted by rolyat150

Personally I started on a cheap off-brand estate briar from my local B&M.

Ditto. Most B&Ms have a basket full of off-brand pipes. I got mine for $30 I think. Nothing fancy, but it was kinda nice looking and it smokes fine. For tobacco I would get a few different ones in bulk. Expect to pay about $3-$5/ounce, depending on the tobacco. Just get an ounce of each. If the tobacconist seems friendly/helpful/knowledgeable, you could ask him/her what they might recommend, otherwise just grab whatever smells good or you like the name of. And don't be surprised when they don't taste like they smell!

(ps B&M=brick & mortar, ie actual physical store as opposed to an online store, it took me a month or so to figure that out!)

[alindeman1989]

there are a few smoke shops in my area. i can go there and check them out.
thanks for all the info. so just go to my local b&m and just see what the have?

[rolyat150]

Originally Posted by alindeman1989

there are a few smoke shops in my area. i can go there and check them out.
thanks for all the info. so just go to my local b&m and just see what the have?

That's definately a good start. If they're a good shop like mine they'll show you the basics of how to pack light and smoke your pipe. Also stickied at the top of the pipe forum page there is a pipe smoking 101 or something like that thread just for newbies to help you get started. The best way for you to learn is by asking questions.

Taylor

[tzilt]

Originally Posted by alindeman1989

there are a few smoke shops in my area. i can go there and check them out.
thanks for all the info. so just go to my local b&m and just see what the have?

Yeah why not? Maybe call ahead and see which ones cater to pipe smokers. Some smoke shops are really just glorifed cigarette stores.

It will probably take a little while to figure out what types of tobacco you really like, so I would just grab a nice little selection of bulks and have at it!

Once you get home with your selections...cruise over to tobaccoreviews.com and you can read other people's reviews of the tobaccos.

Be sure to let us know what you pick out.

oh...one more thing....lots of B&Ms will buy namebrand tobaccos and call them something else. So instead of labeling it McClelland's #2015, they will call it Cousin Bob's Whittlin' Mix or something like that. So maybe ask at the counter what blend it actually is...that way if you like it you will be able to get more at other places.

[rolyat150]

Here's that pipe FAQ

Taylor

[Mister Moo]

The first few bowls smoked thru a cob can be a little woody tasting as some of the wooden shank that protrudes into the bowl chars away. After that you have smooth sailing wiuth a tried & true $5.00 work of art.

Cheap briar basket pipes are unreliable purchases. You are more likely to get a bad smoker than a good one, I think. Buying a good briar pipe is a nice thing to do any time, but they have issues you might not want to deal with from the get-go.

The cob is a great start and, for many long time smokers, the best start and the best finish, too. Frenchy has the starter kit/intro deal. He'll set you right.

[Thillium]

Originally Posted by tzilt

(ps B&M=brick & mortar, ie actual physical store as opposed to an online store, it took me a month or so to figure that out!)

I never knew what B&M meant and I always thought it just meant something about a smoke shop

Anyways welcome to CS

[uncballzer]

I've got to 2nd/3rd/4th the corncob pipes. They are great for starters. If you want briar though, I highly suggest a Savinelli natural. They are Savs that didn't pass the "pretty inspection" (ie have minor flaws in the grain or something like that). Frenchy (frenchyspipes.com) is having a sell on Savs right now. He's got a Lucite natural #9 for $30 bucks. I've got the Lucite #6 from him and LOVE it!

For figuring out what tobacco you like though, is where the corncob comes in. You don't want to smoke different types of tobacco in the briar. For instance, you want different briars for aromatics, english/orientals, virginias, virginia/perique blends and so forth. Some even smoke only one blend in a certain pipe. For each of those, there's plenty of threads on here giving great suggestions.
Here's one: http://www.clubstogie.com/vb/showthread.php?t=148952
But my recommendations
English--Frog morton to start (or Squadron leader). Both are smooth and have the traditional english feel.
Va--full virginia flake (only real virginia I've smoked)
Va/Per--escudo, or PS luxury navy flake (there's a whole thread comparing Va/Per blends--search for Va/Per showdown)
Aromatics--whatever you think smells good (I typically stay away from aromatics, but those may be your favorites; don't know until you try).

[alindeman1989]

ok i went to order my stuff from frenchy earlier and i put in all my info credit stuff and i went to order and it says it wont let me i accedently put spaces imbetween the numbers. i took the spaces out and it wont let me order. now i am really worried. he has my credit cars number. is this guy going to drain my accont. I already emailed him. i am really nervous

[rolyat150]

Originally Posted by alindeman1989

ok i went to order my stuff from frenchy earlier and i put in all my info credit stuff and i went to order and it says it wont let me i accedently put spaces imbetween the numbers. i took the spaces out and it wont let me order. now i am really worried. he has my credit cars number. is this guy going to drain my accont. I already emailed him. i am really nervous

Your shipping address probably didn't match the billing address on your card. That was my problem the last two times I ordered from him. He'll make it right though, Frenchy is a top notch guy.

[SilvrBck]

Get a cob and some Old Gowrie. See you at the bottom.

SB

[BigFrankMD]

frency is a great guy. i wouldnt worry about anything.

[alindeman1989]

Originally Posted by rolyat150

Your shipping address probably didn't match the billing address on your card. That was my problem the last two times I ordered from him. He'll make it right though, Frenchy is a top notch guy.

so do i just change my address then the order will work? or do i have to wait for him to cancel my order then reorder?