Pipe Evangelization Kit

[brianwalden]

I'm looking around for travel pipe/tobacco pouch and somehow I got the idea that I could keep an extra unused pipe and a some tobacco in it in case someone sees me smoking and asks about pipes. That way I could give them their very own pipe and tobacco to learn with.

What do you guys think would make for a basic, just the necessities, beginners kit? I'm thinking: corncob, a tobacco that appeals to a very wide range of people and smokes well in a cob, 3-in-1 tool, a few pipe cleaners, and a box of matches (or do you think a mini bic would be better in case it's windy?). Any other suggestions? I figure if I shop around I could probably get all those for $10 bucks, certainly no more than $20.

I've got a few questions about the details. Do you guys recommend a nicer cob with the wood bottom like the Great Dane or Diplomat, or since it's a first pipe and is probably going to get abused will a Legend or Pony/Mizzou be fine? Does straight or bent make a difference for beginners or is it really just personal preference?

And I have no idea what type of tobacco would be best for this purpose? I'm not looking for something that's going to wow them, but rather something that generally appeals to everyone (or at least most newbies) - kind of like the Budweiser of pipe tobaccos. I know burleys usually work well in cobs. Everyone raves over butternut burley, but it's bulk so I worry about it drying out. Who knows how long it may sit in the pouch before an opportunity to use it comes along. I think something that comes in a sealed pouch or tin might be better. I've read in the forums that Prince Albert usually appeals to cigar and cigarette smokers. That might be a good start. Can you guys suggest some other tobaccos?

[Bermac]

From a non-pipe smoker that sounds like a great idea. There have been a few times I watched someone light up a pipe and thought it would be nice to try out. But it is not like bumming a smoke from someone, it seems like a pipe is a very personal thing, not something to be used by anyone.

[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...

[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.

[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.

[drastic_quench]

Diplomats are really nice cobs.

[petewho]

This reminds me of a bomb I got from Hydrated - When I first posted in the pipe forums he hit me with a cob and a few samples of tobacco. I can't remember if there were some cleaners and a pipe nail in there or not, but it was a pretty complete kit and a GREAT intro to pipes.

It pushed me headlong down the pipe slope...

At least I'm not spending any money on cigars any more.

[dmkerr]

Originally Posted by petewho

This reminds me of a bomb I got from Hydrated - When I first posted in the pipe forums he hit me with a cob and a few samples of tobacco. I can't remember if there were some cleaners and a pipe nail in there or not, but it was a pretty complete kit and a GREAT intro to pipes.

It pushed me headlong down the pipe slope...

At least I'm not spending any money on cigars any more.

Kudos to Hydrated and welcome to the fold!

I, too, am no longer buying cigars. Too rich for my blood. $200 can literally go up in smoke in no time whereas it would take me a long time to smoke $200 worth of pipe tobacco... and I get to keep the pipe!

[Mister Moo]

Originally Posted by dmkerr

I, too, am no longer buying cigars. Too rich for my blood. $200 can literally go up in smoke in no time whereas it would take me a long time to smoke $200 worth of pipe tobacco... and I get to keep the pipe!

True for me too, almost. That ratfink bigswol2 called me the other day and said the OpusX were wide open at JR's while they lasted - and he was on his way - and did I want to lay out of work and go cruising for cigars with the boys - and how many of what vitola did I want. So I copped a plea on laying out of work but asked for 10 #4s and left it at that. Maybe I'll smoke one of the older ones tonight. They look so nice, 10 in a row. Maybe I'll stand them up in my pipe stand for a photo, like the chorus line at Minsky's Burlesque. Change of pace.

[d_day]

This is such a wonderful idea.

Plus, it has the added benefit of reminding me how much cheaper pipe smoking is than cigars. I love my cigars, ubt I'm really starting to think I should slow down and smoke the pipe more. Of course, I am still sitting on about 600 cigars. No sense in slowing down just yet hey?

[Bermac]

Originally Posted by d_day

This is such a wonderful idea.

Plus, it has the added benefit of reminding me how much cheaper pipe smoking is than cigars. I love my cigars, ubt I'm really starting to think I should slow down and smoke the pipe more. Of course, I am still sitting on about 600 cigars. No sense in slowing down just yet hey?

$10 is nothing to get a starter kit together. I spend that on one cigar when I fire up the BBQ.

The tarten is a nice touch!

[dmkerr]

Originally Posted by Mister Moo

True for me too, almost. That ratfink bigswol2 called me the other day and said the OpusX were wide open at JR's while they lasted - and he was on his way - and did I want to lay out of work and go cruising for cigars with the boys - and how many of what vitola did I want. So I copped a plea on laying out of work but asked for 10 #4s and left it at that. Maybe I'll smoke one of the older ones tonight. They look so nice, 10 in a row. Maybe I'll stand them up in my pipe stand for a photo, like the chorus line at Minsky's Burlesque. Change of pace.

Well... Opus X cigars are sorta in a class by themselves. I can certainly see how you'd be tempted.

I do miss cigars from time to time but even I won't smoke them indoors as I do my pipe. Now that it's nicer out I might spring for a couple. And speaking of JR, I'll never forget witnessing Lew Rothman's violent (for him) diatribe against Canary Island cigars and their cost-to-quality ratio. Cracked me up. If you see him, ask him how he liked Penamil cigars and watch his reaction.

[jfserama]

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.

That's basically what I started out with. Only real difference is that I bought a "real" pipe tool (but the nail is a cheaper alternative which does basically the same thing) and a poor quality tobacco (John Middletown's Apple... ew). Altogether it was only $13.

Great idea though! I think it would be a great way for a newbie to get started. Be sure to refer them to a few good pipe smoking websites too!

[KinnScience]

Originally Posted by brianwalden

I've got a few questions about the details. Do you guys recommend a nicer cob with the wood bottom like the Great Dane or Diplomat, or since it's a first pipe and is probably going to get abused will a Legend or Pony/Mizzou be fine? Does straight or bent make a difference for beginners or is it really just personal preference?

And I have no idea what type of tobacco would be best for this purpose? I'm not looking for something that's going to wow them, but rather something that generally appeals to everyone (or at least most newbies) - kind of like the Budweiser of pipe tobaccos. I know burleys usually work well in cobs. Everyone raves over butternut burley, but it's bulk so I worry about it drying out. Who knows how long it may sit in the pouch before an opportunity to use it comes along. I think something that comes in a sealed pouch or tin might be better. I've read in the forums that Prince Albert usually appeals to cigar and cigarette smokers. That might be a good start. Can you guys suggest some other tobaccos?

Not that my opinion is going to count for much, but I have all the MM cobs and I have to say that I keep going back to the smaller ones with the yellow mouth piece. Why?.. well, it works great, I keep it in my truck all the time in the ash tray filled in case I walk out without my pipe .. plus I can get out of work and fire it up on the road without fear of burn marks, the little thing smokes great! Some of the other bigger MM's have thick cob walls that catch the flame a bit and burn along with the tobacco (more than the average cob). I do like them all ... but I have to say that I like the Mizzou and pony as much or maybe better.

Tobacco? I don't know, an oz of Peter Stokkebye LTF taken from a bulk might not cost much .. but then I suppose you should start them off with a bit of a VA/Burley mix that is mild. Carter Hall? Milan makes a real good 401 Burley that is tasty and mild. Price is about $30/lb (at least it was before Uncle Sam began the long slow process of turning pipe tobacco into platinum.

[DeadFrog]

Originally Posted by KinnScience

Not that my opinion is going to count for much, but I have all the MM cobs and I have to say that I keep going back to the smaller ones with the yellow mouth piece. Why?.. well, it works great, I keep it in my truck all the time in the ash tray filled in case I walk out without my pipe .. plus I can get out of work and fire it up on the road without fear of burn marks, the little thing smokes great! Some of the other bigger MM's have thick cob walls that catch the flame a bit and burn along with the tobacco (more than the average cob). I do like them all ... but I have to say that I like the Mizzou and pony as much or maybe better.

Good to know, I just bought a Pony and a Mizzou off ebay yesterday!


I have a few mates that might be interested in starting up pipe smoking. The next time I'm at the local B&M I'm going to see how much it would cost me to put something like this together. Unfortunately, being Canadian we don't have the sweet prices that you guys have south of the border. Still, I'm digging this idea.