So I saw this really cool pipe in my B&M today....

[Royale Duke]

It was a pretty cool looking Meerschaum pipe for $35, and I have been looking for a pipe to start smoking pipe tobacco(a bit cheaper than cigars, not counting all the pipes I'll end up buying). That said, I also saw about 3 other pipes I wanted, a couple of nice briars(one churchwarden, one regular styled one) and another meerschaum.

I managed to find it on aaameerschaum.com

Here's the link:

AAA Meerschaum: Tobacco Pipes and more!

The Bowl depth, if I read the chart right, is around 1 inch or something like that, my question is if that is good enough and if you would think I'd have any issues smoking it. Basically I'd like a little advice before I jump on this pipe, as there were some fairly nice briars in the $25 dollar range at the Original Cigar Store(the name of my Local B&M that a fellow BOTL pointed me towards) as well.

[Mister Moo]

$25 (new) briar or meer pipes usually spell P-R-O-B-L-E-M-S to me. I know there must be some real winners out there for $26 or less but I only ever found one. No chitte. I wouldn't be jumping all over a $25 new pipe unless it came from Missouri as part of a 5-pack and it was kinda yellow.

(Oh yeah. There are a bazillion $25-$30 meerschaum pipes that are about 4-5 inches long with 1" deep bowls, by the way. There are not worth $0.99 for smoking pipe tobacco.)

You can stumble into some neat deals (mostly at pipe shows) for very decent used briar pipes under $50 but you need some knowledge to make a good selection on those deals. Savinelli has some very well regarded (unfinished) new briars around for +/- $50... (for example - http://vegassmokes.com/pipes/italian...et-pipes-2.htm). Frenchy had a lot of them but it looks like he sold out. Lotsa people here have tried them and said they were excellent pipes at a bargain.

[Vrbas]

Get some cobs. And a Dr. Grabow or Kaywoodie for your first pipe.

Believe it or not, my Dr. Grabow is my second best smoker next to a really old, estate Kaywoodie with a loose stem. They both smoke better than my $50 Savinelli.

[Mitch]

I have a few pipes from a local B&M that smoke good which were in the $30-50 range. I don't have problems with them, and I like smoking them more then my cobb. Just my 2-cents, which isn't worth much.

[RJpuffs]

Originally Posted by Mitch

I have a few pipes from a local B&M that smoke good which were in the $30-50 range. I don't have problems with them, and I like smoking them more then my cobb. Just my 2-cents, which isn't worth much.

The so-called "basket pipes", thusly named since they are often found wallowing in a basket filled with like siblings, are a hit 'n miss as the Moo pointed out. It is possible to get a great smoker, yes, but the odds are not in one's favor. Eyeballing for obvious drilling issues, etc, is definitely a requirement before acquiring such a basket case.

[Royale Duke]

Ah, so it would not be a good idea to purchase any of these pipes? They had some pretty nice ones, my Dad(who used to smoke pipes quite a bit in his navy days) was impressed and enthralled with quite a few of them.

[RJpuffs]

Originally Posted by Royale Duke

Ah, so it would not be a good idea to purchase any of these pipes? They had some pretty nice ones, my Dad(who used to smoke pipes quite a bit in his navy days) was impressed and enthralled with quite a few of them.

Follow the Moo's advice up thar /\
Them cattle have a sixth sense about these things

[Royale Duke]

I think the most I want to spend on a pipe at the moment is around $35 to $40, as I am unsure if I will enjoy it or not(all signs point to yes, but there is still some doubt).

[paul1454]

Originally Posted by Royale Duke

I think the most I want to spend on a pipe at the moment is around $35 to $40, as I am unsure if I will enjoy it or not(all signs point to yes, but there is still some doubt).

You can get a savinelli natural or duca carlo for under $40 at pipesandcigars.com. Probably a much safer purchase.

[Royale Duke]

With a bit of research I've fond that these meerschaum pipes are made by IK Meerschaum, who are based in Turkey. I've heard they make a pretty good product, however I will take in all the advice here as it is much valued.

Also, since I am a cigar smoker with a full-bodied palatte what would be some good blends? There are quite a few good english blends at my new local B&M.

[Mitch]

Originally Posted by Royale Duke

With a bit of research I've fond that these meerschaum pipes are made by IK Meerschaum, who are based in Turkey. I've heard they make a pretty good product, however I will take in all the advice here as it is much valued.

Also, since I am a cigar smoker with a full-bodied palatte what would be some good blends? There are quite a few good english blends at my new local B&M.

I like english blends with Latakia. I am also a cigar smoker and like full-bodied cigars. I have noticed my palate is different with pipes though.

[Hawnted]

Originally Posted by paul1454

You can get a savinelli natural or duca carlo for under $40 at pipesandcigars.com. Probably a much safer purchase.

I gota duca carlo at my B&M, I have yet to use it yet. Based on recommendations from these guys, I bought 2 $3 cobs to start on. They smoke great, I would recommend you start there as well.

[Mister Moo]

Originally Posted by RJpuffs

... Them cattle have a sixth sense about these things

Thank you for the cow endorsement. I normally trust me but, in this case, I would trust the Dad.

Dads know stuff.

[IKMeerschaum]

Originally Posted by Royale Duke

With a bit of research I've fond that these meerschaum pipes are made by IK Meerschaum, who are based in Turkey. I've heard they make a pretty good product, however I will take in all the advice here as it is much valued.

Also, since I am a cigar smoker with a full-bodied palatte what would be some good blends? There are quite a few good english blends at my new local B&M.

Actually, to be technically correct, our carvers are in Turkey, we are here in the good ole USA.

It is hard to tell if the pipe you were looking at is a mini or a medium sized pipe. Was it going to come with a case or was it being sold without one? That is generally the easiest way to tell. Mediums should come with cases, minis usually won't. Either that or if it has a mostly transparent stem that comes in a number of colors, it is a mini.

Just so you know, the mini pipes are generally used for people that use them as a sidewalk or break pipe (perfect for a 10 minute smoke break) but most serious smokers will find the draw from some a small pipe to be undesireable.

The medium size pipes are a good starting point for someone who doesn't want to start spending a lot of money getting their "kit" together. A medium pipe uses the same size stem/draft hole as you'll find on the regular and deluxe pipes that we import (and sell). You'll get a similar "draw" that you'd expect from a regular-sized pipe but it will burn a bit hotter due to the shorter shank/stem.

IMHO an inexpensive meer is a better smoking pipe than most sub-$75 briars but you might say I'm a little biased!

[IKMeerschaum]

Originally Posted by Mister Moo

$25 (new) briar or meer pipes usually spell P-R-O-B-L-E-M-S to me.

I assume you mean meer or briar pipes that you buy for $25 or less rather than $25 briar or any meers, right?

LOL