Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

What is a Danish blend or mixture of Pipe Tobacco?

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

A Danish blend of pipe tobacco is used to classify many things, depending on who is using the terms.

However, what "I" have found to be generally true is that a Danish blend is a ribbon cut with a light, sweet, casing.

Hope that helps.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

So the wife allows me a certain amount for cigars, she didn't say anything about pipes though. What would be the best way to try out pipe smoking? I just want to give it a shot to see if I enjoy it or not. Picking up a cheap pipe at the store sufficient for that? Or should I buy a decent pipe to start out with so I don't end up not liking it because of a crappy pipe? Also what's a good tobacco to grab for a first try?

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

I'd recommend a corn cob pipe to begin with. Cheap, and gets the job done right. :tu

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

:tpd:

Corn Cob pipe and Butternut Burley tobacco from Pipes and cigars.

http://pipesandcigars.com/micocobwast.html

http://pipesandcigars.com/butburbykuro.html

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

As suggested, a cob is a great way to go, but get rid of the filter insert after the second bowl and don't replace it with anything.

As for tobacco to try? I find that hard to say. Why? Well, I tried burleys - almost never smoked a pipe after that, I don't like burley.

I'd suggest getting a number of different things to try: Aromatic, Burley, full English, light English, Virginia, Virginia with Perique, and an Oriental. You may like all of them. You may like one or two of them. You may like none of them.

My suggestion is to go to the Cornell & Diehl website and look around http://www.cornellanddiehl.com/oldindex.html Then, give them a call and ask to talk to Patty Tarler. Tell her Pastor Jerabek from Embarrass, WI told you to call her - she is knowledgable and will treat you well. C&D is a good place to start because they do a good job. They sell clean tobacco, by that I mean their product comes without a lot of propylene glycol on their tobaccos making them burn clean and easy. They do come a lot "drier" than most other pipe tobaccos, but that isn't a bad thing at all. They will also give you a decent deal on a sampler package and ship it directly to you.

If you want another something to try, ask for a pound of their Hoover Mix - it is $11.50 a pound - and it is nothing more than tobacco that has fallen from their attempts at mixing. I have gotten a pound on a couple of occasions, it is never the same. It is however, a nice change of pace. I have a friend that smokes only that, he said it is like smoking something different everytime he opens up the bag.

Of course, if you'd rather call another shop and ask for some similar treatment, go for it.

Peace of the Lord be with you.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

So I think I've resolved to get a corn cob pipe to start out with, what types of tobacco should I be looking for to start out with? Is there anything else, other than pipe cleaners that I'll need? How often can I smoke out of the same cob pipe, will I be ok at once or twice a week?

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

Get yourself a pipe tamper too.

Do you have a tobacconist nearby, one that has someone working there who smokes a pipe? That'd be the best thing. There is something to be said from learning from someone live and in person about how to fill, light, tamp, and smoke a pipe correctly.

I know it may sound silly, but it is true. Yes, I had a friend tell me once that it should be as simple as "stuff the tobacco in one end, apply fire to it, suck on the other end... how hard can it be?"

Every single one of those aspects can make pipe smoking a pleasure or a royal pain in the posterior.

Filling the pipe properly is essential, but there are a number of ways to do it which will work well.
Getting an even burn at the beginning is essential, and here's where a tamper is a must. (a tamper is very cheap, a pipe nail will run about $1 - and a Czech tool about $2 - either works well)
Smoking gently saves your tongue from feeling like you held a blowtorch to it for a half hour.
Pipe cleaners should be by your side while smoking. If you hear a gurgle put a pipe clearner though your pipe (do not take your pipe apart while warm to do this, just run the cleaner through it)

If you really think you'll enjoy smoking, get yourself a cheaper Savinelli, they are great pipes and usually one of the easiest to break in.

If you're only going to smoke once a week, one pipe will do fine. For optimal smoking pleasure, 2 or three days between smoking a pipe is best as it allows the pipe to dry out between smokes. This keeps the pipe smoking fresher. It is for this reason that people have more than one pipe. Those who smoke a few bowls a day will have more pipes than those who smoke a bowl a couple times a week. Or, there are the collectors who buy pipes as art AND for their smoking ability.

Sorry for rambling.

Peace of the Lord be with you.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

:tpd:

+1 to everything Todd said. He knows his stuff! :tu

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

:D...He's on a mission from God!

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

Thanks for the kind words MJ.

Mark, that's funny! Thanks!

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

Thanks for the tips as well! I'll let you know how the first step down that slippery slope goes...

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

Hey guys, Whats the best way to travel with pipes? I'll be going back to the Philippines three months from now. I have my cigar caddy to carry my cigars. Is there one similar for pipes or are the leather ones sufficient to protect my pipes when i stick them in my luggage?

Thanks :D

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

Yes, there are pipe cases, similar to cigar caddies.

Here's a link to just one place to see some options.

http://store.pipesandcigars.com/tobpouc.html

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

I have two pipes that I recently bought, that I noticed had uniformly green stems. They taste nasty, and I'm not sure if what I have is oxidation or something else...

These are the two in question:

http://i317.photobucket.com/albums/m...andchelsea.jpg

This is the little one up-close. I don't have the big one with me at the moment.

http://i317.photobucket.com/albums/m...oxidation1.jpg
http://i317.photobucket.com/albums/m...oxidation2.jpg

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

What brand of pipe is on top, top photo, EmJay'?

(Yes, they're oxidized; I'll bet they DO taste a little nasty. Welcome to vulcanite-cleaning world.)

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

As a newbie in pipes, I'm looking to get a Missouri Meerschaum Country Gentleman corncob pipe, as recommended in the "How To Start Thread." Is there a smoking difference in bent or straight? Which should I go with to start out?

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

A) Your camera pictures suck. A real camera would give us decent pictures so we can give you decent answers. :fu
B) Yes you have oxidation. To get them clean, the best is to get them buffed out. A real pipe shop should be able to do that for you, or let you to it yourself. If you get to Green Bay, the guy in DePere will do it for you at the shop on the West Side of town.
C) You nasty taste is partly because of the oxidation and partly because of the fact that they are just dirty. They need a total cleaning - at least that is what it appears to me from the cruddy pictures you put up there. :D

You know I love to yank your chain MJ.

Something that can help, is a lot of elbow grease and a can of briar wipe. Get a handiwipe (it is a kind of cloth you can find in the grocery store). Unfold it and lay it flat on some sort of surface that won't absorb anything - I like a big cookie sheet. As evenly as possible, empty the entire contents of the can of Briar Wipe on the Hand-wipe. Let it dry for about 20 minutes. Now, use the briar wipe on the outside of the pipe, stem, etc... When done, put this cloth in a Ziplock freezer bag and seal. Whenever you need to use it, take it out. Always return it to the freezer bag and seal. This one whip should last you quite a few years, probably until it disintegrates. As my vulcanite stems show some oxidation, some elbow grease and this cloth usually get the best of it - and the formula seems to do a good job of protecting the stem from quickly oxidizing again.

Except for my smart aleck teasing, I hope this helps.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

A bent pipe may allow moisture to condensce more quickly and may cause a gurgle. Of course, it may not.

Get rid of the filter and keep lots of pipe cleaners on hand. Don't take your pipe apart to use them though. If there is even a slight feel or sound of condensation present, use a pipe cleaner. The steam from that H2O will cause nasty tongue bite.

So, basically go with the one you like. Hey, they're cheap, get one of each and decide which you like better.

Peace of the Lord be with you.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

How do I use the pipe cleaner without taking the pipe apart? just push it in from the hole in the mouthpiece?

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

It is an unsmoked Kentucky Club Derby Winner... apparently they were pipes you send in fro when you collected enough coupons from Kentucky Club tins.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

Thanks for the help Todd! :tu

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

Yes.

This is especially important when you get into pipes which cost you more than $4-7 a pipe. When you take apart a pipe while it is still warm, you can damage it - break the tenon, mortice, or even the shank. Breaking any of those parts is not a good thing. http://www.tobaccopiperestore.com/pipe%20parts.jpg

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

If the pipe is not warm and has been resting for several days you could take it apart to clean it without damaging it?

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

Yes.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

He beat me to it.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

Thanks for all the help gentlemen! Much appreciated :tu

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

If UF'320 has a Kaywoodie or some such, there may be considerations for rookies worth discussing here about:

1. stingers vis-a-vis pipecleaners during mid-smoke
2. threaded stinger pipes and the "only turn clockwise" (in and out) stem rule
3. grasping a shank firmly to reduce torque when removing a stem

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

I just want to say thanks to everyone for contributing to this thread. I am looking at getting into pipes and something like this makes my world a whole lot easier.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

ALso check out mister moo's thread about new pipe smokers.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

Glad this thread's been a help to you.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

Okay I'm working part time at a local cigar shop (we sell A LOT of pipes, well they are available at least) So not to feel like an idiot and heck I'm quite interested anyways.......

1. What's the deal on the tobacco? I'd gladly buy a few tins of Dunhill/Davidoff if that's the "good stuff". Once I open the tin, what is the shelf life?

2. Do you really have to let the pipes cool down for days? Or no, because honestly....I smoke quite a bit. Probably on average ~400 cigars a year. Definitely one every day.

3. What's the reason some pipes cost $30 and some cost $400. (yes they probably go to like $10K but you get the point) What am I paying for ? I understand most of them are Briar but what's the deal?

4. Those house blends are they worth a $hit? My thought has to be no because Dunhill tins are like $20 for 1.75 ounce and house blends are like $5.50 for 2 ounces.

5. Corn cob pipes are like $10 at the shop, I hear you can start here. Do you need a different pipe for every tobacco or can I clean the sucker out and use it for everything. I'll never be an elitist or a pro, this would just be a change of pace type deal from cigars.

6. Do I need a different lighter? Can you use a torch? Does it ruin the pipe? Or just grab some matches and call it even?

I THINK that is it for now. School me, I really want to get into this. If anything just to smoke daily at work.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

WOw okay, books can be written on all of these topics but i'll give it a shot to help.

1. Depends on moisture of the tin when you open it but generally it takes a few months to dry out depending on the tin construction. Tins with metal lids will dry quickly.

2. Yes or no, its personal preference. Most people let a pipe rest for at least 24 hours b/t smokes. Some people cant because the only have 1 or two pipes.

3. This is huge- consruction (all parts of the pipe), materials, time, reputation, and quality are just a very few things that influence price, also hand made vs. machine made or mass produced. Stanwell, peterson, and savinelli are a couple companies tgat make very good machine made pipes from 50 bucks up to a couple hundred for the special editions. Then there are the hand carved pipes from artisan carvers. There are thousands of these guys out there making pipes of the workshops in all corners of the globe; I wont even name any cause theres a ton. You definitely get a well made pipe from the hand carvers and for the most part they are worth the money, but you can pick up a stanwell for fifty bucks and may smoke just as good.

4. Yes house blends can be worth a ****. Most places let you sample in the store which is nice to find what you like. Also buy tins online cause theres much better deals. If you pay 20 bucks for two ounces online then you got raped.

5. Cobs are a great place to start. You dont have to dedicate pipes to every tobacco but you can get ghosts from previous tobaccos. If you smoke a heavy latakia blend then a virginia you will taste the latakia from before.

6. Dont use a torch, it can scorch bowls easily. Just use a bic or matches.


a great site to use is pipedia.com, you can find almost anything you need.


I dont think I answered you very well but this is tough on my phone and it should point you in the right direction. check out pipedia.com

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

Great info here! I have a few questions, never smoked a pipe just lots of cigars.

1. How much do you pack into a pipe?
2. What is the proper method for cleaning a pipe?
3. If I find a pipe at a garage sale how do I know if its quality or a drugstore pipe?
4. Pipe tobacco can just go into a tight mason jar and doesnt need a humi device?

Thanks!

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

1. Fill a pipe, don't pack it. Starting out with half-fills is easier for start-up smokers. When filled the pipe should offer a slight, not great, draw resistance. Gravity fill loose to the top and push it down halfway; make a gentle wad of tobacco that fills the pipe to the top and push that down, evenly, halfway. It oughta give you a half filled pipe with a very easy draw. Light the whole top; puff gently a few time; tobacco will expand and poof up and probably go out in a minute or so (which is good); tamp gently down to create light draw resistance, relight. If you are tamperless, a golf tee or a roofing nail makes a good tamper/pipe tool, quick. Etc. etc. etc.

2.

3.

4. Yes.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

2. If your just cleaning it after you smoke it run a pipe cleaner through the stem and then bend it in half and run it around the inside of the bowl. If it's a grungy old used pipe, you can use sandpaper, and a Magic Eraser, on the stem, Magic Eraser on the pipe, and a ton of pipe cleaners and neutral alcohol.

3. One of the great things about pipes are you don't need a premium pipe to get a premium smoke. As long as it doesn't have a dinky little bowl, and you check to see that the hole in the bottom is actually at the bottom of the pipe, and not too high off the bottom will go a long way to having a good smoker, after that you'll have to burn a couple bowl and see what you think. Each pipe has it's own personality, and a lot of time it's difficult to tell what will smoke well just by looking at it. I've got a couple mass produced pipes that I bought brand new for less than $30 that smoke just as well as pipe that cost over $100.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

Great info guys, THANKS!

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

Now I have to find a tobacconist near me. I looked at so many pipes online, don't want anything too cheap but don't want to blow my load on something I may not like. Would starting out with a cob be smart or would it be better to get something a little better? What is a good tamper? This is exciting, mauahahahah, lol The wife's gonna kill me, already b@#$%s when I bring cigars home.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

Is there somewhere on CA that you can buy estate pipes? I keep reading that people purchase used items on here but I can't for the life of me figure out where, lol.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

Starting on a cob would probably be best until you know for sure you're going to enjoy smoking a pipe. A good cob can be found at a B&M for ~$7. Pipe tobacco is also much cheaper than cigars so try to use that line to soften the blow to your wife :tu . After you know that you enjoy pipe smoking start looking into a good briar, possibly a meerschaum if you want to start off that high. I got my first pipe as a gift from Mr. Moo here, but the first pipe I bought myself was a $70 Chacom. Another thing to consider is whether you want a curved stem or a straight stem, but after picking up a cob it should be easier to decide. Personally, I'm a curved stem guy since I find them easier to clench, but a lot of people also like their straight stems. Its a matter of preference, but generally with a straight stem you'll be holding onto the pipe more than you would a curved stem which is easier to clench. Don't worry too much about the tamp, but if you want something decent pick up one of the cheaper Czech Tools(it should only cost ~$3) wherever you buy from. I still use my freebie(which we charge $1.50 for at work) aluminum tamp. The only benefit of a Czech over a regular ol' tamp is they have a small poker so that if the bowl becomes too tight part of the way through your smoke you can loosen it up while its still hot and lit, you can't really do that with a regular tamper.

Oh and a little further explanation on meerschaum in case you haven't heard it before:
Meerschaum is essentially a type of clay that can be carved and used for pipe smoking. The main advantage of a meerschaum is that unlike briar pipes, you can smoke 5 bowls a night for the life of the pipe without worrying about burning it out. A briar can burn out if you average multiple bowls of tobacco per night. One of the disadvantages is that you do have to be more careful in cleaning the bowl as scraping the sides of the bowl can damage the pipe. Also, meerschaum tends to discolor over time if you hold the pipe in your hands. A caviat to that is that I've heard of people who buy a meerschaum, and then while smoking another pipe(preferably a briar with a thick bowl), blow through their lit pipe while holding the meerschaum right above, essentially staining the meerschaum a brownish greyish redish color, that can actually be confused with briars, so you have what appears to be a carved briar pipe.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

Nice, thank you for taking the time to post all that info. Hopefully I can find a place this week and pick up a cob. I was checking out the Chacom pipes, very very good looking pipes. A buddy at work was telling me about a meerschaum that he brought back from oversees somewhere and that he's never smoked it. That guy has no clue either, lol.
Thanks again!:D

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

Just order some McClelland's Frog Morton Series sampler to break in my new pipes.
I got 4 (50g) tins of the following tobaccos:

Frog Morton
Frog Morton on the Town
Frog Morton on the Bayou
Frog Morton Across the Pond

Would you consider that a pretty nice sample for a newbie, now that I think of it I hope it's not aromatic.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

You can look up most pipe tobacco and read reviews here: tobaccoreviews.com

Type Frog Morton in the search bar and those 4 will show up.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

Thanks M. J.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

If you ordered it already, what does it matter whether anybody else thinks it is a nice sampler? I am not trying to be rude in asking this. All that matters when you smoke something is whether you enjoy it.

I think Carter Hall is a detestable smoke. To my palate, anything from MacBarens is tongue-bite in a can. If someone were to buy the same amount of those tobaccos as you bought of the Frog, and asked the same question, what might I think? Personally, if I had done it, it would have been a waste of money. But, if that person like them, that is all that matters.

1st, none of the Frog blends are aromatics, this I can tell you.

As for whether or not that is a nice sampler? Only your tastebuds will know for sure. I'd say, pop open a can of one of them and find out it is a nice sampler or not.

Peace of the Lord be with you.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

I think it will be. I have never tried any of them, but as long as they do not have bad reviews they should be worth the try. Let us know how they smoke, and create some of your own reviews on them! :tu

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

I don't think it was being rude I had never heard of the aromatics and thought about it after I order them, I hope like hell they are not aromatics. which now I know they are not and if I didn't like it's not a complete waste since my friend smokes pipe tobacco so it would be a nice gift to him. If I don't like them

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

Like Rev'mo' said, it's a personal thing. I'd say that Frog Morton tobaccos are about as universally liked as anything else I know - and I don't think much of any of them. :td

Rev'mo' finds Carter Hall detestable and I think it's a nice blending tobacco or a good change of pace smoke. :tu

There is no answer to what's a good sampler unless you get it from someone you already know has tastes similar to yours. And even then... :sh

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

I just popped a tin of Frog Morton on the Town and found it to be excellent. I will be ordering more. For what it is worth.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

Oh after reading tobacco reviews i see now. I was under the impression that the different frog morton's was different types of tobacco. Which now I understand that it's all an english type of tobacco.

I was thinking I was getting a small sample of english, burley, virginia , cavendish types of smoke.