Pipe Evangelization Kit

[uncballzer]

I've actually already done this a few times; a couple on the boards here--sent one I called a Pipe Starter Kit to one of the troops overseas (went thru our cigar buddies who send them), and once to a friend I go to school with. What I've done, is get a small box--something typically like a small priority usps box, add a cob (MM, newbies tend to go with bent first--i know I did), a pipe tool (any cheapo will do--be it nail, 3-in-1, or whatever), a few cleaners (about 20 or so with rubberband to hold them together). I try to give them the each think necessary to smoke a pipe. Now, the main ingredient, the tobac--I tend to give a diversity of the different blends. A single one never seems to do it for me to give--what if they don't like that blend--they'll never convert. I tend to put a english/latakia--squadron leader, a virginia--PS LTF, a Va/Per--PS LNF, or bullseye flake; a burley--usually something lite, and so forth. I give a couple bowlfulls of each to hook them and wanting them come back for more.

The tobac's morefife posted would work, and I do like that foodsaver idea, it should keep things fresh for when you have that moment!

Originally Posted by morefifemusicanyone

Big tobac should give you a cut of the profits!

Great idea.

If you have access to a foodsaver, you could vac seal an oz or so of butternut burley. It is such a tasty baccy for a noob.

Heck, maybe I could use my mother in laws vac sealer and put together a newbie packet. I would include:

1. Butternut Burley
2. Anniversary Kake
3. Squadron Leader or Frog Morton

I hesitate to put a straight up Va in there because of the tongue bite factor. All of the above mentioned baccys are non-biting.

[brianwalden]

Interesting thoughts on the cobs. I'd love to hear more opinons on the differences between the low end and high end Missouri Meerschaums (I can't believe I just wrote this sentence). I've only ever smoked a legend and I bit a whole through the stem in about two weeks - I'm a clencher.

Just for fun I went to pipesandcigars.com. If I ordered in quantities high enough to get free shipping I could make this super deluxe kit for $12 bucks each:
1 - MM Diplomat
1 - Czech tool
1 - bundle medium pipe cleaners (60 cleaners)
1 - 1.5 ounce pouch of PA (P&C.com doesn't carry CH or H&H in pouches)
1 - box medico filters (they can use 'em if they like 'em or toss 'em)
1 - softy bit (they can use it if they like it or toss it)
1 - box if free matches from a tobacconist

The bare-bones basic kit would be under $6.50:
1 - MM Mizzou
1 - nail I have lying around my apartment somewhere (basically free)
1 - bundle medium pipe cleaners (60 cleaners)
1 - 1.5 ounce pouch of PA
1 - box if free matches from a tobacconist

Now that's just for fun, I'm not going to go buying $100 worth of giveaway stuff. But I have an afternoon to kill in Rochester this weekend, I'll try to find a B&M there and put a kit or two together. There's a local cigar herf near me next week; maybe I can win over a new convert.

[brianwalden]

Interesting perspective, uncballzer. I've been thinking of just getting them to experience smoking a pipe, then they can go off and find their favorite tobaccos later. Personally that's how I learned. Got the pipe and accessories and smoked my way through 2oz of tobacco, then bought a different tobacco and so on. I found it helpful because every bowl would pack and burn the same until I got the feel for what I was doing.

You're kind of hooking them with all these tobaccos so if they don't like the first they're tempted to move on and try out the second. Great way to get them to smoke several bowls instead of just giving up if their first experience is bad.

Different strategies probably work for different people.

I think your advice on the bent is right on, it's less pressure between your teeth and it's easier to see the bowl. I think straight is the classic corncob look, but a lot of people (especially newbies) don't want to look like the classic hick smoking a cob. I'll buy straights for me and bents to give away.

[dennis569]

Originally Posted by brianwalden

Thanks, I'm just following the lead of our Senators and Congressmen who are vigorously encouraging all Americans to smoke as part of their basic civic duty. I figure I'm doing my small part - for the children, you know. With just a bowl a day you can give a poor American child the quality healthcare he or she needs to thrive...

Just cut out the middleman. I say give all the kids in your neighborhood a couple
packs of cigs. This way when they buy their own smokes they will be funding
their own health care.

"government isn't the solution, it's the problem"

[Searchlight]

I don't read this forum for political insight.

[Blaylock]

Originally Posted by brianwalden

...With just a bowl a day you can give a poor American child the quality healthcare he or she needs to thrive...

Originally Posted by dennis569

Just cut out the middleman. I say give all the kids in your neighborhood a couple
packs of cigs. This way when they buy their own smokes they will be funding
their own health care.

"government isn't the solution, it's the problem"

Originally Posted by Searchlight

I don't read this forum for political insight.

Agreed! Let's keep to the topics and leave the "political" opinions out of the conversations in here.

[dillonmcmurphy]

I think this is a really good idea. It just goes to show that pipe smokers tend to be very generous people. One more possibility for the tobacco is to give them a little one ounce baggie of a Boswell tobacco. They have some pretty decent mild blends at a reasonable price ($2.40 an ounce except northwoods which is $3.50 an ounch). Something like Boswell's Premium Burley or Dan's Blend. Those Boswell blends are what got me started in this hobby. You could order several one ounce bags at a time so you can put together a few starter kits for friends. Just a thought.

[brianwalden]

I apologize, moderators please feel free to delete my post that referenced SCHIP.

[Vox3l]

Originally Posted by Mister Moo

Nice idea.

MM Legend - $5.00
Nail w/ground off point - $0.05
Half&Half Pouch - $3.00
Matches - $0.50
Pipe Cleaners - $1.00
All neatly wrapped in a square foot of tartan flannel - $0.50

Total - $10.05

Maybe have to use a smaller piece of flannel or go with a half-pouch of Half & Half to come in at $10.00. Start handing those things out all over the country and you'll be as famous as Johnny Appleseed.

I really like this! I think it's the fact that the whole thing is wrapped in the tartan flannel! Reminds me of a bindle old time hobos carried around! I'm actually considering making a couple of these for friends and one for myself! I LOVE IT!

[brianwalden]

Due to a confluence of factors (mostly that the store I went to didn't have the right pipe pouch for the right price and the whole point was to keep a kit or two in the pouch) I didn't put together a kit this weekend. But I've got my eye on a pouch on pipesandcigars.com, so when I can afford to put together a big enough order for free shipping I'll order the stuff for a few kits - hopefully by the end of the month.

I do like Moo's tartan cloth idea, maybe use a pipe cleaner to tie the whole bundle up so it stays together.

[8ball917]

I am pretty new to the pipe thing (less than 2 weeks), but I can say that I have been using an MM legend which has been working out quite nicely. A starter kit like this is a great idea. You may even want to tell them about puff.com. I have learned so much since adding the pipe forum to my daily routine. I think that even throwing everything in a zip lock bag is fine (just make sure to tell the person what the nail is for).

[Mister Moo]

Originally Posted by brianwalden

...I do like Moo's tartan cloth idea, maybe use a pipe cleaner to tie the whole bundle up so it stays together.

I'd suggest a piece of 1/2" sateen yellow ribbon - classy texture and the color always looks good on green plaids. Also, toss in a hef card. I assume you've already made one... hasn't everybody?

Free Box of Cigars - 1000th Post Herf Card Contest

[brianwalden]

Ok, so I got supplies for 5 kits in and have already mailed two away. Each one includes:
1 - MM Diplomat bent pipe
1 - 1.5 ounce pouch of "drugstore" tobacco (the kind varies for each kit)
3 - boxes of matches
1 - Czech tool
1 - bundle medium pipe cleaners (60 cleaners)
1 - box medico filters
1 - softy bit
1 - quart-size ziplock back to hold everything together

Sorry there's no tartan (or sateen ribbon); a quart size bag was just so much more convenient and it fit everything perfectly. I was able to fit one kit in my pipe pouch in addition to my stuff, so now I just have to find places to smoke in public so if someone comments about my pipe I'll be able to offer them one of their own.

I guess my philosophy is to give away a good pipe and Czech tool that should last along with all the supplies to get through their first pouch of tobacco. I figure if they have a good pipe that they like, they can always go out and buy more/better tobacco. But I definitely see the merit of going the other direction and using just a Mizzou with a nail for a tamper and several samples of better quality tobacco. I guess I'll see how these kits work out and make changes from there.

[Bermac]

I got my kit yesterday Brian. It was very generous and very appreciated. I will post a pic when I can. In the mean time, I suggest everyone show some love and give Brian a bump in ring gauge.

[CRITICALT]

This is a great thing your doing!!! I also give cobs and pouches of Carter Hall, H&H, Prince Albert or Middletons Cherry to cigarette smoking friends trying to convert them to the pipe side. Its worked on a few, then a few have thrown the pipes in a drawer!! Oh well!!!