Post by: client32 on March 07, 2005, 06:49:09 AM
What do you people suggest if one were to want to start this habit.
Post by: jamz on March 07, 2005, 07:38:31 AM
Pipes are harder, require more attention, but are just as rewarding, if not more so.
I'd go to a tobacconist, get a pipe (you can get some nice cheap ones that don't have as nice wood as the really good ones) for $20-$30 or so. Ask the tobacconist for a good starting blend. Stay away from anything you can get in a drugstore.
Good luck!
Love, James
Post by: cordex on March 07, 2005, 07:40:02 AM
Post by: Azrael256 on March 07, 2005, 10:01:58 AM
I would start on something in the $60-70 range. A Peterson or Savinelli would do well. I started with a Peterson second, and my second pipe was a Savinelli. Do try to stay away from the "system" pipes. The Savinellis use this little balsa wood filter dealie, but it just creates more of a problem. Instead of soaking up the spit and tobacco juice with a pipe cleaner, you now have to deal with a goopy little filter. The Peterson "system" is just as bad. It has a little spit trap that just collects goo and is nearly impossible to clean out. Go with one of the regular pipes, and you won't be disappointed. They're generally even smokers for a decent price. Obviously more expensive pipes will tend to smoke better, but you'll get around to that later.
As for blends to smoke... Do try to stay away from the aromatics. If it contains the name of a fruit or somesuch, avoid it. Find one of the milder McClelland blends. McClelland 5100, which is just a simple red Virginia, will do well, and you can mix it with some stronger stuff. A friend lives on 5100 sprinkled with a high-grade latakia.
Play around with it, don't get discouraged if it burns your tongue a bit as you learn, and enjoy it!
Post by: jamz on March 07, 2005, 10:47:44 AM
A really nice balance between sweet smell and good taste is Frog Morton. Smells nice enough for people to enjoy it, and tastes nice enough to smoke often.
My absolute favorite used to be Penzance. I wouldn't start with it though. 965 is pretty heavy duty too, but for some reason, I never liked Dunhill brands. Guess I'm just wierd.
Love, James
Post by: Nathaniel Firethorn on March 07, 2005, 11:34:56 AM
- NF
Post by: Smith on March 07, 2005, 11:38:12 AM
Guys who smoke daily usually have 5-7 pipes in rotation.
Next topic: seasoning....I'll get to that later.
Post by: K Frame on March 07, 2005, 12:08:23 PM
A swift kick in the ass and a sanity check?
Dunhills are nice pipes.
Post by: Smith on March 07, 2005, 01:07:41 PM
Avoid filtered pipes, or if you get one you like but it has a filter, just yank the filter out. Remember you're not breathing this stuff, so your health concerns are not like that of a cigarette smoker, or even that of a dip user since nothing is sitting in your mouth. However, a pipe smoker DOES run a higher risk of mouth cancer than a cigar smoker, as a pipe is usually held between the teeth and the heat will cause your mouth to salivate. Your saliva will create a place for tars to settle. If you want to do this right consider brushing your teeth after each bowl.
Post by: SRoper on March 07, 2005, 01:17:31 PM
I have a CAO meerschaum that I like. I hear that one should avoid crushed meerschaum, although I have no personal experience here. Keep in mind that meerschaum has the advantage of not requiring "rest" between smokes, but they are not as durable as briar pipes.
I like GL Pease blends the best. My favorites of his are Mephisto and Raven's Wing. All his blends are very high quality, but not all are to my liking. Other blenders that I recommend are Rattray's (Hal O' the Wynd is an excellent Virginia), Robert McConnell (not as common, but Red Virginia is good), and Dunhill. I also recommend McClelland with reservations. An excellent resource is tobaccoreviews.com.
Post by: client32 on March 08, 2005, 08:46:03 AM
Quote
A swift kick in the ass and a sanity check?
Possibly the best peice of advice. I was really more interested in starting this thread rather than starting smoking, but it peaked an interest. It seems like this could become an expensive hobby really fast.
Post by: Azrael256 on March 08, 2005, 11:10:21 AM
Post by: S. Williamson on March 20, 2005, 08:26:38 PM
I started out with a cheapie "Missouri Meerschaum" carved maple pipe that was about $6.00, a $1.00 pipe nail, a small bundle of $2.95 pipe cleaners, an ounce of Gaelic Blend (~$2.00) and a free ounce of English/Oriental.
Total cost for what got me started and kept me going the first two weeks: ~$13.00 including tax.
Pipe smoking isn't my number one smoking hobby, much along the same lines as cigars... they're to be enjoyed and savored, not had in the space of ten minutes (at most). Hence, I'm more of a cigarette snob--140 different brands and types at last count.
When I do smoke a pipe, however, I like a nice blend of about two parts Red Virginia, one part Golden Virginia, a pinch of Syrian latakia, and another pinch of my homemade (Capt. Morgan Spiced) Rum-soaked Golden Virginia.
Put it all in my favorite pipe (the black-and-Sterling one marked "Dublin") and I've got my evening planned. Well, throw in a nice glass of Glenfiddich or Glenlivet on the rocks and then it's planned.
Post by: SpookyPistolero on March 21, 2005, 02:13:59 AM
I have a couple of briar pipes and a meerschaum, which I like very much. I believe, just from my research, that it is a Turkish meerschaum. Either way I enjoy its light weight and small size. Length is still good enough to keep smoke out of your eyes though.
The hobby is basically as cheap as you want to make it. And the good part is, over somone that smokes cigaretes for example, you won't feel a 'need' to smoke. It's more of something pleasurable you look forward too. A relaxing activity instead of a habit.
Enjoy!
Post by: ...has left the building. on March 21, 2005, 03:09:44 AM
Dionysusigma- Who makes those pipes above?
Post by: Harold Tuttle on March 21, 2005, 03:31:54 AM
http://www.peterson.ie/
maybe we need a pipe smoking emoticon
it would need to take about 10 minutes to load, light up and make its point