Beginner Looking for Help!!!

[Hash]

Hello all,
First off i would like to say I have learn a lot about pipe smoking from these forum and that is great. I am a beginner looking to buy and smoke my first pipe ever. I have smoked cigarettes and cigars before, but since have completely quit cigarettes and occasionally smoke a cigar. I do intend on smoking Hookah soon, but I would also like to take up a pipe. I probably won't smoke the pipe more than one bowl a day...even less maybe initially to break it in etc.

I visited my B&M store today and too my disappointment I knew more about Pipes and Pipe tobacco then the guy did probably since I have been reading the beginner thread etc. Thats the background now here are some specific questions:
1] The two brands he had in stock for beginners were Dr. Gabrow and Paylor something (never heard of it but it did look sturdy but then again what the hell do i know). The Dr. cost $26 small size & $ 36 large(but not in stock in large) also the doctor had a filter...on the other hand the paylor cost $50 good sized and no filter. Which one is better with or without filter...is the filter really helpful etc. I have read some comments on here that ppl dont like filters and just remove them...accordingly which one should I choose. I really didn't like the small Dr since the bowl was too small he is expecting the large sized one in about a week. So my choices are basically between two of them. (Please feel free to suggest if I am going about this totally wrong and should buy from some online store if so please be specific at to what store, what pipe etc.)

2] The guy told me all pipes have a break in period so I knew he was speaking from his ass and mentioned corn cobs to him...anyways both these pipes were briars I was wondering what break in period am I looking it and what other maintainance will i need. I sort of need a step by step
guide.

3] The tobacco brand he recommended was Captain Black is it any good?

4] What other stuff will I need besides the pipe, tobacco, matches or liter (any good suggestions to type of liter I am looking for a reasonably priced one), the [SIZE=2]Czech pipe tool.

Feel free to be as critical as you like and mention anything else that comes to your mind you think I should be aware of as a beginner.

Thank you all in advance for your time and comments...looking forward to looking like >>>>>>>> Please Help me get there


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[Mad Hatter]

Personally I'd start with an estate pipe from Ebay. I've been picking up Petersons, Hardcastles, a Savinelli and several other very smokable pipes for $25 and under. I look for something atleast 5 1/4" long but preferably close to 6" with a bowl diameter of around 1 1/2 inches. The advantage of an estate is its already broken in and builds cake fairly quickly.

For tobacco I'd suggest clicking on "Pipe Smokers' Forums" above and going to the buy sell trade forum for a "Newby sampler trade"

Of course you'll need a Czech pipe tool and a few bundles of good pipe cleaners (not the ones made of plastics) preferably the small diameter and the large diameter and maybe a pack of bristle cleaners too. For a lighter you can take your pick. I use a Bic. My grandpa used a Zippo. Lots of guys use different things according to their tastes.

[Spongy]

Originally Posted by Hash

Hello all,
First off i would like to say I have learn a lot about pipe smoking from these forum and that is great.

1] The two brands he had in stock for beginners were Dr. Gabrow and Paylor something (never heard of it but it did look sturdy but then again what the hell do i know). The Dr. cost $26 small size & $ 36 large(but not in stock in large) also the doctor had a filter...on the other hand the paylor cost $50 good sized and no filter. Which one is better with or without filter...is the filter really helpful etc. I have read some comments on here that ppl dont like filters and just remove them...accordingly which one should I choose. I really didn't like the small Dr since the bowl was too small he is expecting the large sized one in about a week. So my choices are basically between two of them. (Please feel free to suggest if I am going about this totally wrong and should buy from some online store if so please be specific at to what store, what pipe etc.)
retort: I would check out an online store called Frenchy's. he has a large number of cheaper (and higher quality) pipes than your local shop must carry. he also throws in some freebies, like cleaners, maybe even a czech tool, and a sample of some tobacco.

2] The guy told me all pipes have a break in period so I knew he was speaking from his ass and mentioned corn cobs to him...anyways both these pipes were briars I was wondering what break in period am I looking it and what other maintainance will i need. I sort of need a step by step guide.
retort: There are many methods and theories out there, from the "smoke half a bowl 10 times" to "fill 'er up and smoker 'er down" to "wipe honey in the bowl.."
I would just smoke the pipe as you would normally smoke it, it will eventually get broken in no matter what.

3] The tobacco brand he recommended was Captain Black is it any good?
retort: i wouldn't waste my time with it.

4] What other stuff will I need besides the pipe, tobacco, matches or liter (any good suggestions to type of liter I am looking for a reasonably priced one), the Czech pipe tool.
retort: any bic or decent matches will do in a controlled environment. most people migrate to either matches for indoors or pipe specific lighters. the czech tool you can get if you order from Frenchys.

Feel free to be as critical as you like and mention anything else that comes to your mind you think I should be aware of as a beginner.

Thank you all in advance for your time and comments...looking forward to looking like >>>>>>>> Please Help me get there

smokingpipes.com has samplers, as do a couple other sites.

here's a Karl Erik estate pipe for $43.
and an estate Orlik for $32.

you could check out IwanRies.com for some super deals as well.
they have Czech tools for $1.50, and cleaners for about a buck a pack....
they have all kinds of tobaccos as well.
a new Sasieni for $40.
a new IRC sandblast (made by Savinelli) for $36.
a new Bjarne for $60.
a Big Ben for $53.

[mugwump]

Others have already mentioned these points but they can't be stated enough:

1. Buy an estate pipe from Frenchy (http://www.frenchyspipes.com/). If it's your first order he'll usually throw in a free cob, pipe cleaners and a tool to get you started.

2. No break in period with an estate or cob.

3. Get some newby samplers to try out different blends. If you do decide to try the Captain smoke it in a cob to avoid flavoring your briar pipe.

4. I just use run of the mill wooden matches and also have a dedicated pipe lighter.

Hope that gets you started and don't give up. It took me many months of on again off again pipe smoking before I finally "got" it.

[Hash]

WOW Thanks for all your help people!!! Keep the advise coming....can someone please answer my filter question please!!! Also if I do get an estate pipe isn't there a specific cleaning process I need to go through?

[DSturg369]

Just start reading througn the posts in the Pipe section, and yes ALL of them. Your questions will be answered many times over and you'll learn a lot more as well.

[Hash]

Originally Posted by DSturg369

Just start reading througn the posts in the Pipe section, and yes ALL of them. Your questions will be answered many times over and you'll learn a lot more as well.

I have been doing just that Dstrug369, but these are specific questions I had after reading a lot (the reason i went into the B&M store was because I read on here it was the thing to do )...like for the filter I read some people said they just don't like them while other said something else so I was unsure if they are good or bad, do they ruin the taste in anyway or the drawing of the smoke? Do they help much? The posts I read about them just seemed inconclusive and left me wondering if they were good or bad.

As for my other question I should have been more clear I have read all the cleaning instructions and was wondering specifically about frenchy and if i would have to clean the estate pipes i bought from him since he says he does it for u on the site what do you all normally do? (sorry my question was unclear earlier)

I am going to keep reading too thanks for your suggestion

[dogsplayinpoker]

Welcome Hash! Frenchy cleans his estate pipes so no problem there. As for filters, I don't use them. Beginner tobacco, I have heard guys use Carter Hall as a beginner smoke. The best bet would be for you to try the Newbie trade in WTS/B/T area of the Pipe smoking section. You will get a number of samples of fine tobaccos.

[DSturg369]

I wasn't meaning to sound "harsh" in any way, just meaning that all your questions were answered if you read every post.

I had a ton of questions when I started (which wasn't that long ago), including every one you asked, but instead of re-asking the same thing that had already been covered in prior posts, I read through EVERY single post in all 3 pipe forum topics and my questions were answered. Best places to get pipes and accs (with web links), just starting out and pipe break-in periods and methods, tobacco reviews and what's available and where the best service, prices, and deals are..... It's all there.

But again, I wasn't trying to come off as an a$$, so ask away.

[Dzrtrat]

To filter or not to filter.............that is the question. Well .....I honestly can say that I personally have had no desire to try one...so I'm no help with personal experiences. Some would probably tell you that a filter pipe is the only pipe to smoke, others would tell ya there crap....so now we're in a quandary. I could tell you English blends are the bomb....others would argue that Vaper's are better. I would say that "cake happens" so don't worry about it to much and get flamed by those that believe there are certain rituals that must be adhered to.

The point I'm trying to make here is you have come to the right place for guidance...but understand that a lot is subjective. As you dive into this sport you will find what works best for you, what pipe you prefer, what blend you like etc...I know right now you want to try everything.....I'm still that way, however, pipe smoking is about patience you can't rush any of it.

You are on the right track, there has been a lot of sound advice already....good luck.

[Blaylock]

A few have suggested the "Newbie Sampler Trade for Pipes". Unfortunately, you don't have access to the Forum where this is located...but you will soon.

More on that: http://www.clubstogie.com/vb/faq.php...visible_forums

Not much more to add that hasn't been covered.

Welcome to the Pipe section at Club stogie!

[Senator]

Filter? I've got some pipes with filters and some without. I like using my Brigham pipes (they use a maple filter system) for when I'm smoking my "wet" aromatics. They're great for stopping the unavoidable gurgle. However, the same aromatics taste just the same in my non-filtered pipes....just have to be more careful when smoking them.

Try one or the other as your first pipe...it really won't matter as it's not likely to be the only pipe you'll ever purchase. I'm sure you'll come down with a bad case of PAD sooner or later. ;-)

If I had to start all over again and had the knowledge I now possess...I would buy a Savinelli (the types that you can use with or without a filter) from Frenchy. This would let you try both methods with the same pipe. Plus, from what I hear, Frenchy will set you up with the basics.

As for tobaccos to try...I started with a drugstore aromatic on the advice of a tobacconist. This almost made me quit. To be honest, I would stay away from aromatics until you've learned the art of pipe smoking..or are at least part way there! Aromatics are not kind to the new pipe smoker. They're wet and they burn if not smoked correctly. They smell great but really do lack the taste that a new smoker might be searching for. I smoke them now because I can appreciate what they're all about and can find the flavour I'm looking for. However, most new pipers want something that "tastes" great with little effort or thought....or at least has some discernable taste. You're more likely to smoke too hard or too hot trying to get some type of taste from an aromatic in the beginning. Start with an "easy" tobacco...one that's easy to pack, easy to smoke, easy to light, and easy to taste. Ask around here for those kind of recommendations.

Just know this:
- you will burn your tongue as a new pipe smoker. Don't think it's like building up a callous...it's not. Don't smoke again until your tongue has recuperated. Treat your tongue like a delicate instrument and smoke more gently than you'd imagine is appropriate. It's better to have your pipe go out too often than to smoke it too hot.
- you will not smoke a full bowl on one light...and you probably never will. That's just part of pipe smoking. You'll come to appreciate this rather than get annoyed by it.
- you will get frustrated with how to properly pack a bowl. I still pack bowls too tightly sometimes...just start over before lighting. A bowl packed in such a manner is enough to ruin the whole experience.
- you will wonder if smoking a pipe is really all it's chalked up to be. Where's the taste...why is it so hard to keep this thing lit...why is my tongue scorched...why does my pipe gurgle...etc...
- you will have bad smokes...followed by great smokes...followed by horrible smokes followed by not so bad smokes...followed by good smokes...etc... (as you learn, the good smokes will outweigh the bad, though...obtaining the perfect smoke is why we all do this!!!)

- if you stick with it long enough, you will overcome all the above!!!! Yea!!! Learning to smoke a pipe is a process. No matter what pipe or what tobacco you use, you can't and won't learn it in your first smoking experience....or your second...or your third. It will eventually come, though. The information on boards like this will drastically reduce the learning curve.

Good luck.

[Mad Hatter]

IMO the only filters worth a hoot are the 9mm charcoal. Paper filters are a waste of time. Estates from Ebay need varying degrees of cleaning and sanitation. A pocket knife or reamer, rubbing alcohol and some fat pipe cleaners will solve most of these issues. Mothers aluminum polish also comes in handy for making the mouthpiece look nice. Here's one I wish I'd held out for http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-HARDCAST...QQcmdZViewItem

Sure to be a good smoker and the brass rules

[Hash]

Originally Posted by dogsplayinpoker

Welcome Hash! Frenchy cleans his estate pipes so no problem there. As for filters, I don't use them. Beginner tobacco, I have heard guys use Carter Hall as a beginner smoke. The best bet would be for you to try the Newbie trade in WTS/B/T area of the Pipe smoking section. You will get a number of samples of fine tobaccos.

I don't have access to that forum yet but thanks for the advise. I will check it out as soon as I do.

[Hash]

Originally Posted by Mad Hatter

IMO the only filters worth a hoot are the 9mm charcoal. Paper filters are a waste of time. Estates from Ebay need varying degrees of cleaning and sanitation. A pocket knife or reamer, rubbing alcohol and some fat pipe cleaners will solve most of these issues. Mothers aluminum polish also comes in handy for making the mouthpiece look nice. Here's one I wish I'd held out for http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-HARDCAST...QQcmdZViewItem

Sure to be a good smoker and the brass rules

Hmmm I got to the link too late but the pipe looked nice...u said 9mm charcoal filters are worth something...why is this so...are 6mm charcoal filters worth anything? I figure I am just going to try it anyways since I have been told its a matter of preference but was just wondering why you say what you said.
Thanks