As if the snuff wasn’t costing enough. I saw this gorgeous meerschaum pipe carved by E.Cevher… so $160.00 pipe…thats normal, right? I suppose I’ll end up buying it due to a limited amount of self control and the fact I can’t stop thinking about it. Hell, I even hear that pipe smoking actually prolongs life in some cases due to stress reduction (yes, I’d like to be stress free please). But after all is said and done, where on earth do I start? Considering I like sweet aromas and my absolute favorite snuffs are Toque Whisky and Honey as well as WoS Grand Cairo…is there anything in the pipe tobacco world that would be a close match in aroma to one of these snuffs?
I’m not going to answer all that, since pipes are not my area of expertise, and the experts will chime in. But since I’m the first on the scene, my advice is buy a $4.00 corncob as your first pipe. Not a big investment if you don’t like it, and easy to learn on.
aristicob.com is a good place to get a good low priced pipe. MM cobs are good pipes for the price. Also, pipesandcigars.com have a good selection of affordable pipes. I wouldn’t spend too much on a pipe until you have tried pipesmoking, just my opinion.
True. And if you want to begin with a briar, I have bought many nice pipes in the $30-60 range. Meerschaum though, is a different animal- not just appearance wise. The meerschaums are fragile if tapped a little to hard, or if dropped on a surface harder than carpet. People usually use these indoors. Also they smoke drier, and if/when they absorb enough moisture they get even softer, one usually heats them with a flame to cook off the moisture and tar when they do get a little soggy. A meerschaum carver first soaks the material in water to make it softer. A briar will tend to be more durable. Also I would use a briar(or more than one) for a while, trying out different types of tobacco until one learns what different flavors are out there, and to get better at the art of pipe smoking. Then if you still want to try a meer you will see how the flavor changes etc, and will be more accustomed to regular cleaning before you are dealing with the more fragile material. There’s a lot more to learn about it, which is readibly available info. As far as tobaccos, you can find all sorts of “aromatics”, which I guess could be defined as rather flavored and scented. There are lots of whisky flavoreds, vanilla, rum, chocolate, maple, fruit, coffee, Irish cream etc. Also straight Virginias, burleys, cavendishes. “English” blends with the exotic flavors created by the blending of (typicaly) Latakia, Turkish, and Virginia. One could go on and on. The point here is that there are SO many different flavors, it might make your head spin- in a good way. And many find that, the hunt, the experimenting is just part of the fun! Have fun! These are only my personal views…
Well thanks everyone for the input. I used to be a smoker…when I was a teenager, ofcourse I quit that because cigs have no flavor and they reek (in a bad way). I just figured that since I need to cut back on snuff (nasal issues), maybe I could try another pleasure.
@ Mr.O,
Yes I think I agree with you on the meer pipes, gorgeous as they are I found 2 other briar types that I think I’d most likely rather get, both are still a little expensive, but I’m pretty sure I’ll like the habit so it will be worth it. And a beautiful pipe is half the fun as far as I can tell.
I have briars, a block meerschaum, a clay and cobs… that said… Briars are awesome, LOVE my meerschaum and my clay, but my cobs get the most usage…
They smoke wonderfully dry, as they wick off moisture like no other, they don’t require long rests like briars, and they are cheap unlike meers… The whole reasoning behind the name Missouri Meerschaum was because the creator of the company back in the late 1800’s thought that cob pipes smoke about as cool and dry as a high end meerschaum. That said… I second the recommendation for aristocob.com great solid vendor. Also, almost ALL drug stores sell either MM Legends or Prides… and they make great starter pipes… A really great starting tobacco that is fairly cheap and readily available is Sir Walter Raleigh Aromatic… And it really sings in a cob, and has a wonderful room not, kinda like roasted marshmellows… You can check out any number of good pipe forums on packing techniques as well as youtube. The SWRA is pretty available at local drug stores and discount tobacco places… as well as pipe and cigar stores…
Hope this helps!
I second (third or fourth) MM cobs. Nothing to beat them in any price range. Meerschaum is not my line because they are like stainless steel pots; nice to look at but never takes the taste of what goes into them.
Just be careful with aromatics, they tend to be tongue biters and might put you off of pipe smoking all together. I prefer virginia tobaccos which are naturally sweet with no or little tongue bite. Be careful about tobacco which contains perique, it’s no good for beginners.
You will certainly not be getting the same type of scents from smoking tobacco that you are getting from snuff. Snuff scents are very fresh in comparison. This is not to say that pipe tobacco has little to offer. Just different, you’ll see, I hope you can enjoy it.
Pieter makes a good point, I forgot that. I think the way that works is that if sugar is added it will burn hotter.
I think snuff is the only other tobacco than pipes that has such a wide variety of flavors, it’s nice that both offer a multitude!
One thing many people will tell you, and to me this is important, try some different styles of tobacco- not just a bunch of aromatics, or a bunch of englishes etc. I’d suggest both of those, and some matured virginias, maybe some burley based blends too. That way, developing a broader palate, you can get a better idea of what you might like. Also the lines become blurred between different styles, as an example you might find english/aromatic hybrids etc. With english blends it’s usually best to start with “lighter” blends- lighter in the sense of less latakia, which can really bite and burn the tongue in too high proportions, untill you get used to it- that is if you end up liking the english blends.
Also, keep a lot of cleaners on hand, most confirmed pipe smokers will use one after every smoke- or during if a clog occurrs, or if your pipe starts to gurgle.
as well as other etailers.It straddles the line between fine tobaccos and aromatic well. Regardless on which pipe you choose, start early perfecting your technique of smoking–sipping slowly, just enough to keep the pipe smoldering, delivers the sweetest and most flavorful smoke.There’s a ton of FAQs on the ASP web site here:
@Xander your first post was the best advice anyone could give
another reason for this is if you do take to the pipe, your taste in shapes and makers is going to be very specific. Don’t start buying briars til you have a fair idea what you like. I got rid of almost as many pipes as I kept the first year. Now when I buy a pipe I know it will be for life, unless it’s a bad smoker.
I also say go for a cob, but let me offer a warning about Meerschaum pipes. Most of these are made by pipe carvers, not pipe smokers and therefore can tend to be a very poor smoking instrument. If you must try one, the only two vendors I can recommend in order of preference.
There are millions cheaper out there, but if you want one that you’ll actually end up smoking, get a Baki.
I know about no self control. I’m trying to channel it positively.
I have to chime in and contradict what I feel is a poor recommendation. Don’t get G&H Rum Flake, or any Flake for that matter, if you are just getting into pipe smoking. Flakes are great, they are mainly what I smoke these days, but they are tricky and finicky until you get the hang of them. New smokers ought not burden themselves with flakes until they can master ribbon cut. If you try to smoke a flake right out of the gate you will probably have an unpleasant experience and decide that pipe smoking is not for you; that would be a real shame. Pipe smoking is an art that must be learned, and it is the process of learning that gives all the pleasure.
I agree with the rest of the recommendation Mouse gives, start off smoking slowly with the pipe barely smoldering to get the best flavor and most satisfaction.
Sound advice here. I would recommend that you purchase a few pipes (need a rotation as if you smoke daily pipe needs a rest). One should be a cob, and two briars. No basket pipes but don’t break the bank with these either. Go to your local B&M and get suggestions. Maybe they have a starter kit. Basic burley and virginia blends to start. I would say get a pouch or two of Carter Hall to experiment with as it is quite friendly to light and burns well and the flavor is easy to like.
I am much more of a fan of non-aromatic tobaccos or lightly cased ones (such as GH Rum Flake, my current favourite) but if you really want some sweet aromatic tobacco you could do a lot worse than sample some of Peterson’s range of aromatics. Some are hit-and-miss, but I’ve enjoyed Connoisseur’s Choice, Sweet Killarney and Nutty Cut which are all ribbon cut tobaccos, easy to stuff, light and keep lit, and will ease you in nicely. Having said that, give it six months and you’ll be noshing the likes of 1792 Flake and Black XX Twist and wondering why you ever wanted an Aro! Welcome to the wonderful universe of pipe smoking!
Yeah, stay away from the ropes and twists for a while, they’ll knock you back if yer not carefull! You could do well with many mild to medium house blends from your local. Nat Sherman makes some tasty, easy smoking blends too. Also McClelland’s Red Cake (in bulk) could be good, it’s naturally mellow, without flavors.
Also, a good recommendation for tobaccos is some of Boswells bulks… they all get good ratings and are more often then not very forgiving on the tongue… and very tasty to boot. Think they are less then 3 bones an ounce too… good price… and great people.
I like the ‘looks’ of some of the pipe tobaccos on this site (honey smoke/midnight in particular), has anyone here tried any of these? If so, any good?
I’ve also found a pipe, a briar carved into a claw…suits me well, although in the future I may go ahead and carve my own.
