Ask a Pipe Guy

[commonsenseman]

Originally Posted by louistogie

I was wondering if someone can someone help me. I want to buy a nice pipe, nothing to crazy I don't want to spend that much. Just a pipe with a curve to it, maybe a few of the tools I need as well. Any tips for looking on Ebay or pointing my to a pipe sale will be much appreciated!

You would be amazed at how well a cheap Dr. Grabow (available at many drug stores), or a corn cob pipe smokes. If I was you I'd get one of either of those and a pouch of some cheap tobacco, I really like Velvet, or Captain Black. Can't go wrong with that!

[DeadFrog]

Originally Posted by Mad Hatter

Did you use the black superglue? I've never used it but I've wondered how it polishes out.

I've thought about cutting off a stem and filing a new button before but I'm leary of getting the stem too thin and burning my lip. I seem to be the only one whose ever done that but it freakin' hurts

The glue I used is a black CA glue (cyanoacrylate). The same thing as superglue I believe. I had a vial of it left over from when I was into Star Wars costuming. After sanding with light sandpaper, steel wool, then a tripoli buff and carnuba wax it blended perfectly.

[Mister Moo]

Originally Posted by louistogie

I was wondering if someone can someone help me. I want to buy a nice pipe, nothing to crazy I don't want to spend that much. Just a pipe with a curve to it, maybe a few of the tools I need as well. Any tips for looking on Ebay or pointing my to a pipe sale will be much appreciated!

It's hard to pick a pipe for someone else - very personal matter in most ways. If you're new to pipes the best bet is a pouch of Carter Hall or Prince Albert and a Missouri Meerschaum Legend (corncob) pipe. If you really just want to jump in there is briar, of course, but cobs smoke great and allow repeated smokes without dry-out time. If you're determined to buy briar you can browse Stanwell pipes here - Frenchy's Pipes - New and Estate Smoking Pipes

Pick one. Frenchy used to toss in pipe cleaners, sample tobak and a pipe tool with new orders. I see there is also a 10% off sale thru Sunday.

But a cob is probly a better idea for a month or two.

[louistogie]

What would be the differences between corncob and briar besides looks. I was look to spend like 20 bucks or so. This guy posted a add what do you guy think?

http://www.puff.com/forums/vb/wts-b-...-starters.html

[louistogie]

Also here some pipe that I thought look very nice. What do you guy think?

ARDOR URANO FANTASY--UNSMOKED * EXOTIC SHANK - PIPESTUD - eBay (item 390058375034 end time Jun-20-09 10:15:00 PDT)

RADICE HAWKBILL * UNSMOKED * OIL CURED * T/B - PIPESTUD - eBay (item 390058375951 end time Jun-20-09 10:18:00 PDT)

PREBEN HOLM TRADITION * A CLASSIC! - PIPESTUD - eBay (item 390058814143 end time Jun-20-09 10:45:00 PDT)

CHUBBY RHODESIAN PIPE - PIPESTUD - eBay (item 390058998562 end time Jun-20-09 11:00:00 PDT)

[RJpuffs]

Originally Posted by louistogie

What would be the differences between corncob and briar besides looks. I was look to spend like 20 bucks or so. This guy posted a add what do you guy think?

http://www.puff.com/forums/vb/wts-b-...-starters.html

A cob is "usually" smaller (less space to put less tobacco) and may not last as long as a briar. They are cheap and great for starter pipes, since a "good" briar can cost considerably more. Those two pipes for sale seem nice, and a BOTL here is selling them so it should be fine.

[louistogie]

Cool what do you think of the first and last pipe on that ebay list I posted?

[WWhermit]

Originally Posted by louistogie

Cool what do you think of the first and last pipe on that ebay list I posted?

As far as the first one, Ardor is an excellent brand of pipe, however I doubt that the price will end up anywhere near that amount.

The last pipe is more of a crap shoot. It's already been "moderately" smoked, you can't see the hole drilling, and there's no brand name, so you really don't know what you're getting there.

As far as Pipestud, he has a stand-up business as far as I'm concerned. I also know him on a personal level, and wouldn't hesitate to buy from him.

The pipes, though, are up to you. There's nothing wrong with starting out with a corn cob. You can get a Missiour Meerschaum hard bottom cob for $8 that'll last you at least a year if only mildly abused, and for several years if taken care of.

WWhermit

[Alpedhuez55]

Originally Posted by louistogie

Cool what do you think of the first and last pipe on that ebay list I posted?

WWHermit is pretty dead on with what he is saying about those pipes. The first three are all going to go for a lot more than the $20 you are looking to spend. The fourth one looks like a good smoker, but you will knot know what you get until you try. There are bargains on Ebay. But the best ones tend to be on estates that need a heavy cleaning.

If you want good a $20 briar, go to a smoke shop that sells a lot of pipe tobacco. It looks like there is a Tinder Box near you. They probably have plenty of basket pipes in the $20-25 range. For a decent basket pipe, I would look for something with thick walls. I have $10 basket pipes that smoke as good as my $50-$100 pipes.

Like others said...consider starting with a cob. They are cheap and available pretty much anywhere. Most drug stores will have them. And they smoke good.

[louistogie]

Thanks for the information guys! I hope to start smoking soon!

[randyw41]

I have several pipes with stingers, you know, with the built in little metal thingies with a ball on the end. The ball end can usually be pulled out for easier cleaning. My question is, when you replace the ball thingie back into it's fitting, which way does the air inlet behind the ball face? In the down position or in the up position? I've tried both ways, and haven't noticed any difference in the way it smokes. Thanks for any info you can provide.


Randy W...

[Alpedhuez55]

Originally Posted by randyw41

I have several pipes with stingers, you know, with the built in little metal thingies with a ball on the end. The ball end can usually be pulled out for easier cleaning. My question is, when you replace the ball thingie back into it's fitting, which way does the air inlet behind the ball face? In the down position or in the up position? I've tried both ways, and haven't noticed any difference in the way it smokes. Thanks for any info you can provide.


Randy W...

If they come out easy, most people would just leave them out. Try a few bowls without the stinger and see if it is an improvement.

[MrTamborineMan]

Alright so maybe it's because it's 3 in the morning and I'm just tripping becuase I'm tired or maybe the forum is malfunctioning, but shouldn't the latest posts be at the end of the thread?

Anyhow - to my question(s).

So I've been smoking cigars for awhile, and I much enjoy it. The other day however I heard there was a tobacco shop about 15 minutes away from my house and when I get there it's much more a pipe shop than a cigar shop, and it smelled like heaven. I bought a few cigars from them (a cigar made just for this shop btw, not half bad) because the older gentleman working there was extremely nice, but now I really am interested in smoking a pipe, the tobacco smells absolutely amazing, and it just appeals to me.

so my questions are these:

Does pipe tobacco need to be stored a certain way? My cigars stay in my humidor, otherwise they're ruined, however I notice the pipe tobacco is just in jars, there are lids on the jars, but still.

Secondly, I keep reading about you guys well...doing stuff to the tobacco, whether it's cube tobacco (I don't even know what that means to be honest), or one of the other cuts (?) of which the titles I can't remember. Help?

And lastly, I've seen all the suggestions for starter pipes, etc. but I'm thinking about just going up to the shop and asking the gentleman there to set me up. He tells me he's been smoking a pipe forever so he's gotta know what he's talking about right? Good idea/bad idea?

Anyhow, thanks for any help you can provide. :

[DSturg369]

Not in order with your questioning but....

If the shop owner is indeed a good fellow, he'll treat you right and set you up correctly. If he's attempting to make top dollar on the deal, watch out. Without being there it's hard to help a lot. I highly suggest reading through the Pipe section threads to get a little better understanding of how it all works.

As for storage, keep your tobacco in an air tight container. A simple, inexpensive mason type jar(s) works great for this. Different tobaccos = different jars.

Again, reading the threads on here (especially here Pipe FAQ/101/Getting Started ) will help a lot.

My best advice is to get a corncob pipe and a couple different tobaccos to try. Cobs are cheap but can offer a great introduction to pipe smoking. If your heart is set on a nice briar pipe to begin with, get a good name brand and not a cheap basket pipe as they can be hit and miss at best.

[Alpedhuez55]

There are some types of tobacco that need some preparation. It may be a flake or crumble cake that needs to be rubbed out. A rope that needs to be fut, or an overly moist tobacco that needs to dry out.

And I would also stress starting out with a cob. Depending on the taxes in your state, you can buy a cob, pipe cleaners, pipe tool and pouch of a decent OTC blend like Carter Hall or Prince Albert for under $10. But you should definitely start out with a Cob before spending money on a brand name briar.