Anybody use Meerschaum Pipes

[Blaylock]

Hey Frank...glad you're starting up with the pipe. 'Keeping it lit' will take practice...so much different than a cigar. Get used to packing, lighting, puffing, and tamping. It'll take time to figure it all out and a cob is a good forgiiving friend. One hint, is to make sure your tobacco is not too wet. Allow the amount that you want to smoke, to sit out for awhile before you pack your pipe...dry but not crunchy. Try not to pack too tight and use your tamp to keep things in check. Several relights are OK.

Once you get the hang of these things, you'll really start to enjoy the flavors in the tobacco.

Good luck and enjoy!

[brianwalden]

Originally Posted by tx_tuff

Ok this is what I just tried in a cob, New Market (Lemon Virginia and Black Cavendel) not to sure what to think of it. I bought some English too, Byzantium (Latakia, Penque and Turkish) will try that later. So do you have to just keep puffing to keep a pipe light?

You need to lightly tamp it down every once in a while. If it goes out and you have to relight a few times there's nothing wrong with that, it's a normal part of pipe smoking. I'm sure if you search the forum there's tons of advice - maybe start with Pipe FAQ/101/Getting Started

[tx_tuff]

I read the 101 thread, I'm sure it just takes time to get use to doing. The cob is so small! I'm not to sure about the first tobacco I tried, but I have the English to try, maybe I will like the taste of it better.

[Mad Hatter]

I usually don't buy a pipe that's shorter than 5 1/2 inches with a bowl diameter of 1 3/8 or bigger.

[sounds7]

Originally Posted by tx_tuff

Why do I ask? Well I have never smoked a pipe before but seeing all these posts in the pipe section has me wondering. I read the sticky threads for new smokers and have decided to try me a bowl and it seems like this type of pipe would be easier for a new guy to try (I know a cob would prob be the best bet and cheap for a first time pipe and may get one first). I have found some plan Meerschaums for around $30 which sounds like a good deal to me, of course some cheaper ones on eBay but don't think I want to do that.

So anyway any advise for the guys that smoke or have smoked these kind of pipes would be nice. I plan on doing this just for fun and don't plan on spending the kind of money on this that I do cigars.

Also what would be the best kind of tobacco to try first, something I can find localy.

Thanks!

I just got this meershaum off ebay and love the way it smokes.
Dragon Meerschaum Pipe-6" *irmismarbel* - eBay (item 160210415236 end time Apr-14-09 10:34:32 PDT)
As for tobacco I highly recomend Cigar blend from Comptons of Gashiels for you. Excellent introduction for cigar smoker making his way to pipes
Comptons" Blends

[doublebassmusician]

Are the AND meerchaum pipes from meerchaum.com any good? How do these 60 meerchaums compare to 200 dollar meerchaums?

[uvacom]

I have been eyeing those IMP meerschaums lik a hawk. I think I'm going to get at least one, maybe two of them. I love their aesthetic.