Journey of switching from a cigar to pipe smoker

[Mitch]

Well, I have enjoyed cigars for the last 2.5 years and I still will occasionally. I walked into the humidor to buy a cigar one day, and realized I would burn up $10 in around one hour. I have always wanted to try a pipe, never have. So I decided to buy a pipe and some tobacco instead of a cigar. I now have really grown to love it. I have three pipes now (2 briars and 1 cobb). I really enjoy english tobacco, and cavendash/virginia mix. I love this forum, and can't wait to learn more about the technique of smoking a pipe. I will still smoke a cigar once in a while, like when they are given to me, haha. Cheers to all of you.

[basko]

I'm in the same position. Long time cigar smoke and always wanted to try a pipe. The pipe process is interesting. I'm going to start with a few cobs and a meerschaum before trying out a briar. Those seem a bit more challenging.

Great forum.

[drastic_quench]

Welcome.

And yes, you'll get much more smoke for your dollar with pipes vs cigars. The trick is to not blow all of that saved money on more pipes. Unfortunately, no one in the history of pipe smoking has mastered this trick.

I too smoked my share of cigars before picking up the briar. In my view, anyone can smoke a cigar, but I was interested in that outwardly intimidating learning curve that seemed to go along with mastering pipe smoking.

Cheers.

[WWhermit]

Welcome Mitch!

I don't think anyone who smokes both can say which is better, or more fulfilling. I do know, however, that pipe tobacco will last longer, but the expense in pipes will balance that out. With pipes, though, you have something to make a collection of, and soon become prized possessions. Plus, pipe smoking makes you look vastly sexier than cigars!!

I would recommend getting a couple cobs, but would favor an inexpensive briar over a meerschaum. Many meers have small draft holes, making them a bit difficult to learn on. There are quite a few great quality briar pipes that are easy on the budget. I favor the Savinelli Duca Carlo pipes. Machine made, matte finish, so you don't get upset if you accidentally drop it, but very good, very forgiving smokers.

Others can make suggestions for cigar/piper crossovers, but a nice virginia blend may do nicely for you.

Good luck, just post if you have any questions. One thing we love to do around here is help the pipe newbies fall just as quickly as we have!

WWhermit

[Damicom3]

I never really went the cigar route because beforehand I realized I wouldn't be able to afford it on a regular basis. I love pipes because the cost reflects how deeply you want to delve into the hobby. Having 2 or 3 pipes is fine if you smoke like 2 bowls a day. Also, I love that MM have so many great cobs you can pick up for the price of one quality cigar (actually less) unless you buy cheap cigars that is.

Ah and of course welcome and I hope you find the pipe to your liking !!

[Mitch]

I love cigars, just love the price of tobacco. I think it will be fun to buy some pipes. My grandpa had a bunch of pipes, so this will be kinda fun.

[basko]

A briar is a little intimidating. I don't want to ruin a 60 dollar pipe due to inexperience and I don't want to buy a 15 dollar briar and be disgustipated. I'm planning to wear out a few cobs, then go with a savinelli and use it sparingly until I figure out what I'm doing.

The thing about cigars'....you light it...you're in for the long haul even if it sucks. a Pipe is a little more complicated on the process, but it seems like that'll be half the fun.

I'm looking at the savinelli 622ks as a "first briar" because I can have it for less than 50. If I screw it up it's not too much of a hit, but I won't be trying to perfect the smoke on a piece of plywood (like those 5 dollar wood pipes).

Of course a steady supply of corns is probably a good idea, right?

I'm a lot less concerned with the tobacco, since I know tobacco, than I am with screwing up a good pipe.

[commonsenseman]

I smoke both on a regular basis, both are quite enjoyable depending on my mood.

[Lefty]

Cigars are enjoyable but much less involved, select-cut-light. It's pretty easy to find what you like and don't like when it comes to cigars.

With the pipe, it's more of an art. Much more involved. I've been a pipe smoker for about a year now, I have yet to "master" the pipe, I have discovered a few tobacco's I like. There is just so much more to be discovered with smoking a pipe. And the bonus is yes, the tobacco is less expensive.

The one draw back I have found is I have yet to find the one blend/brand I can call a main stay. The search continues.

[Dzrtrat]

Welcome to the forums,

I think you'll find a plethora of information here and a willingness of other members to give advice. I still have my humidor with the RH maintained, however, I am a bit more selective in what's in there and most have quite a bit of age. I'm almost exclusively a piper but I do like an occasional cigar as the mood strikes.

My advice is to take your time, don't gobble up the tobacco, and try a lot of different blends.

[indigosmoke]

Originally Posted by basko

A briar is a little intimidating. I don't want to ruin a 60 dollar pipe due to inexperience and I don't want to buy a 15 dollar briar and be disgustipated. I'm planning to wear out a few cobs, then go with a savinelli and use it sparingly until I figure out what I'm doing.

I think you are right to start out with (and keep a few) cobs in the arsenal. However, I wouldn't be too worried about ruining your first briar. I'm thinking of a couple of recent threads where folks have been discussing building up cake in a briar and cake in a meer. Of course you'll read tons on both topics with grevious warnings about having cake in a meer or not building up a proper cake in a briar. And tons on "how" to build a cake...1/2 bowl...2/3...bowl, etc. But when most of the people here check in on the subject most seem to say in practice it all just kind of works out. But from reading some of the beginner's advice you'd think a new briar was a stick of TNT waiting to explode at the first sign of mistreatment. I'm not saying not to treat them right and with a certain amount of care, of couse, it's all good advice. But from what I've seen you'd really have to abuse a quality briar to destroy it beyond hope. When I see how some of the guys on here bring back estate pipes from the dead I'm amazed at what can be done with a pipe I wouldn't want to touch without rubber gloves on! Anyway, I think everyone should do what works for them, what makes them happy. That's what I love about the pipe...the ritual and the collecting aspect to the hobby. The others are quite correct about the $ aspects...but you have a lot of self discipline if you can just buy the number of pipes you need (and the number of tins of tobacco you can smoke and avoid the growth of a well stocked cellar). If you can you can probably eat one potato chip as well and I admire your self control.

[FrayAdjacent]

As a newb, I could recommend a clay pipe. I just got a LePeltier clay this week. It's great for noobs, because it can be washed out with hot water, removing any residue so that your previous smoke won't influence the flavor of your next.

[ghe]

Indigosmoke offers wise counsel. I remember when I first started smoking cigars I was so worried about making a mess clipping the cap I almost always used a punch. Similarly with pipes. It's easy to become intimidated as a newcomer with all the information out there. Don't worry. You'll enjoy it. One thought on cobs, though I realize I'm in the minority. I really don't like them because of the plastic stems. I find them unpleasant.

[basko]

I just got back from the local tobacco shop. It's where I buy my cigars so I know the guys.

They set me up with 3, 2oz sampler bags. (lousiana Flake, McLelland 5100 and Bells wafer). I smelled a bunch of them but chose these three.

Tried some of the McLelland and the flavor was good, but I forgot to set it out for a few so it was kinda wet. AAHHHH the routine of it....

That's a good post indigo, I'll probably buy a briar sooner than later anyway.