Considering a pipe

[scotth]

I've recently been considering diving into the world of pipes, but I have a few questions.

What would be a good pipe for me to start out with? I'm not really looking to spend much money, but would still like to get a good quality pipe.

edit: I've been reading the guide that's stickied in this forum, and seem to have answered my question concerning starter pipes. I should start with a corncob pipe. Now my new question is: Are all corncob pipes the same?

Also, any recommendations on pipe tobacco? I know this is more of an opinion question, but I just want to know if there are any tobaccos that are a must try or any that are crap.


Thanks in advance,
Scott

[petethered]

Since there are people much more infomed then I in the selection of a pipe, I will skip that.

But as to the selection of tobacco...

I was once given the following piece of advice... "Trust your nose... Go to a smoke shop and take a deep whiff of each of their loose leafs and buy a couple that smell appeals to you. That way, at worst your out a few bucks for an ounce, but you get to sample and decide what YOU truely like"

[Kayak_Rat]

Great idea Scott.
Try your local B&M. They might have a few house blends you could sample or pick up at a good price. Aromatics are what most people start out with and then move onto the more advanced blends. McClellnad makes some descent ones......Town Topic, Best of Show, etc. Also read some of the reviews here and jump in head first.

[Scott M]

Well... from one Scott to another...

If at all possible, Missouri Meerschuam cob pipes seem to be the best of the lot. Iffin' I was you right now, I'd hook up with Frenchy, tell him you're starting out. He'll hook you up.

Regarding tobaccos, I'll embellish on what the other members have said; go to your local B&M, and ask for 2 oz of thier most popular house English blend, 2 oz of their most popular house Virginia, 2 oz of the most popular house Burley / Cavendish, and an aro or two to round it out. (Read the forum for a definition of the above blends.) This'll give yas a range of tobacco styles so you can identify your current likes / dislikes and you won't be out alot of coin.


And welcome aboard!


Scott"redundancy"M

[Hellraiser]

I would recommend the corncob to start with, if you have any Walgreens around you, you should be able to find them there for like $2.99 each, get a few for different tobaccos. I started with a cheap new briar and didn't really start getting good smokes from it til after a long break-in process and some surgery to open up the choke points in the pipe (bad engineering). A Missouri Meerschaum corncob like Scott M suggests will deliver good smokes from the start.

[scotth]

Thank you all for the input! You all have been a great help. I hope to purchase my first pipe sometime soon, most likely from the site Scott M suggested. I'm going to my B&M this weekend and will probably pickup some tobacco while I'm there.

Thanks again you all,
Scott

[drrgill]

Originally Posted by scotth

Thank you all for the input! You all have been a great help. I hope to purchase my first pipe sometime soon, most likely from the site Scott M suggested. I'm going to my B&M this weekend and will probably pickup some tobacco while I'm there.

Thanks again you all,
Scott

Welcome Scotth.....The Missouri Meerschuam plant is 80 miles from me...They smoke great.. I always have one with me at Herfs to sanple new tobacco....as you get experience you will have a favorite pipe but a cob will always be in your rotation!!

Drrgill

[Poriggity]

I just picked up my first pipe on ebay here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Stylish-Haoj...ayphotohosting

Or at least I think Im going to win it.. But after reading this, I think I will buy a corn cob pipe from my local shop and use that for a while, unless you think I can get a good smoke from this pipe from the get go....
Scott

[scotth]

Originally Posted by Poriggity

I just picked up my first pipe on ebay here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Stylish-Haoj...ayphotohosting

*places bid on posted auction* j/k, I'm not that mean!

I do love that pipe though. Very stylish. That's why I am definitely going to have to do some research on pipes before I buy one. I'm a sucker for stylish pipes and I'd hate to buy a pipe that's all looks.

Scott

[Poriggity]

I love the way it looks too.. Thats my main reason for buying it.. That and it was cheap enough that if it doesn't smoke well, it still looks good LOL
Scott

[scotth]

Glad to see you won. Let me know how it smokes. The seller has more for sale and I may buy one.

Scott

[Poriggity]

I will be sure to let you know how it smokes as soon as I get it.. Im gonna be buying some tobacco in the next couple of days for it..
Scott