New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart

[jjmitchem]

Ken,

Did you read this thread?

http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=44110

This really helped me get started and the MM Cobb and Carter Hall was a good start

[kgraybill]

I have been doing a good bit of reading on getting started, pipe and tobacco reviews but have not read that thread until now. Thanks.

I will keep on with the cheap cob for a while but plan to pick up a briar once I get the hang of smoking a pipe.

Thanks for all the great info guys. I think that I will really enjoy pipes just not the tobacco that I have sampled so far (Borkum Riff, Captain Black). Need to make a trip to the B&M to find something with flavor and save my tongue from getting burned up.

[jjmitchem]

For an aromatic so far I've tried Lane 1Q and like it, it's supposed the most popular

I plan to order some Boswells this week which have come highly recommended

[Templeton]

Hello guys,

This will be my first post, I have a few questions all at once. I have been smoking pipe+tobacco since 2003 and just never had any friends that shared my interest.

1. With a new pipe, what is the process in simple terms, of treating the wood to extend it's life? I have had a few pipes crack from I assume over heating.

2. Method of lighting tobacco, match, butane lighter, or zippo? Why? I have always preffered wooden matches, but zippo for ease of use.

3. What are some quality pipes that will not break the bank? I have spent anywhere from $20-$200 and been happy with my product. I do not know too much about what the wood was or who the maker of the pipe was.

I feel amazingly "noob-ish" for the last question, I have good pipes and know what I like. The last time I went out with one of my pipes, a gentleman asked me if my pipe was a ______ and I felt ignorant for truly knkowing nothing about it other than I like it.

[RevSmoke]

Originally Posted by Templeton

Hello guys,

This will be my first post, I have a few questions all at once. I have been smoking pipe+tobacco since 2003 and just never had any friends that shared my interest.

Welcome and ask away with your questions. I am a pipester since 1980, so I do have a tad bit of experience. Hopefully, some of my comments will help.

1. With a new pipe, what is the process in simple terms, of treating the wood to extend it's life? I have had a few pipes crack from I assume over heating.

I have never treated any of my pipes, they should be ready to go right out of the box. Never had a pipe crack either, and I used to smoke my pipes very hot (I used to smoke cigarettes and needed copious amounts of smoke and huffing heavily, makin a pipe hot, was the only thing that satisfied) Although, pipes need time after each smoke to rest and dry out before you smoke them again. This is why many pipe smokers have a rotation of pipes. I usually let mine air dry 3-5 days before smoking again. Care of the pipe while, and after smoking is import - use pipe cleaners - during the smoke and after.

2. Method of lighting tobacco, match, butane lighter, or zippo? Why? I have always preffered wooden matches, but zippo for ease of use.

A horse apiece. If you don't mind the flavor of a Zippo, go for it. If you use butane, stay away from torches - these can, due to the high temperatures of the flame, indeed burn your briar. Otherwise, it is your own preference. I personally use a soft butane flame or matches.

3. What are some quality pipes that will not break the bank? I have spent anywhere from $20-$200 and been happy with my product. I do not know too much about what the wood was or who the maker of the pipe was.

I personally own Castello (estate Castellos fit that price), Radice, Ascorti, Don Carlos, Tinsky, (my favorites) and then I also have some Savinelli and Stanwells. A couple corn cobs get into the rotation as well. There are many other quality manufacturers out there - these are simply what I have.

I feel amazingly "noob-ish" for the last question, I have good pipes and know what I like. The last time I went out with one of my pipes, a gentleman asked me if my pipe was a ______ and I felt ignorant for truly knkowing nothing about it other than I like it.

By the way, usually the maker of the pipe puts their name on it somewhere. Hope this helps.

Peace of the Lord be with you.

[Gabe215]

I'd like to try to smoke a pipe occasionally and have two questions:

One is: I tried this before and was told to use a corn cob first as it is easier to break in as a started pipe, is that true?

Second is : I currently am a seasoned cigar smoker and when I started smoking cigars I was told to start off with milder cigars and work my way up gradually. But for me I hate mild or even medium smokes from the start, I feel it would be the same with a pipe, what is a nice strong, sweet flavorful blend to start with that is relaxing at night time? Anything helps, thanks! - Gabe

[688sonarmen]

Cobs will break in a little quicker than briars. But most important if you f them up you are not out a lot.

Strong tobaccos that are readily available, nightcap, royal yacht both by Dunhill.

[iaMkcK]

Originally Posted by Gabe215

when I started smoking cigars I was told to start off with milder cigars and work my way up gradually.

Originally Posted by 688sonarmen

Strong tobaccos that are readily available, nightcap, royal yacht both by Dunhill.

Damnit, why did I go right into the strong tobaccos first? Nightcap was LITERALLY my first tin purchase, HAHAHA...

[RevSmoke]

Originally Posted by Gabe215

I'd like to try to smoke a pipe occasionally and have two questions:

One is: I tried this before and was told to use a corn cob first as it is easier to break in as a started pipe, is that true?

Cobs break in easily, and are cheap if you find that you do not like smoking a pipe.

Originally Posted by Gabe215

Second is : I currently am a seasoned cigar smoker and when I started smoking cigars I was told to start off with milder cigars and work my way up gradually. But for me I hate mild or even medium smokes from the start, I feel it would be the same with a pipe, what is a nice strong, sweet flavorful blend to start with that is relaxing at night time? Anything helps, thanks! - Gabe

Strong vs mild is different with pipe tobacco. What do you mean? Strong taste or nicotine strong?

I don't know which of these I'd call "strong," at least not compared to cigars. Each of these varies a bit. But do not expect the same volume of smoke from a pipe as you'd get from a cigar. If you get the same volume from a pipe as you get from a cigar, you will probably be frying your tongue - not a pleasant feeling.

These are a most of my favorite non-aromatic (tobaccos w/out some sort of flavoring added) tobaccos.

Escudo
Esoterica: Dorchester, Penzance, Durbar, Stonehaven
Gawith & Hoggarth: Lousisiana Flake, Bright CR Flake, Mixture #12, Bob's Chocolate Flake
McCelland: 5100, 2000, 2010, 2015, 2015, 2035, 5115, 5110, Christmas Cheer
Rattrays: Hal O The Wynd, Marlin Flake, Old Gowrie
Samuel Gawith: Full Virginia Flake, St. James Flake, 1792
Peter Heinrichs: Strong Dark Kentucky

Hope this helps.

Peace of the Lord be with you.

Hey Fella's,

Had a quick question, there is this pipe in this movie I have never seen before, I really like the design and was interested if anyone knew anything about it or where I might find one...

The picture below is a crude screen capture from the video,

[IMG] pipe by Robulous78, on Flickr[/IMG]

Thanks for lending me your knowledge...

[Commander Quan]

That style is called a cavalier. That specific pipes looks like a Dunhill Cavalier http://www.cupojoes.com/cgi-bin/spgm...dunbry4103cavb

so that is a cavalier style pipe? I like it cause it seems to be rather easy to let hang out of your mouth... thanks Derrick...

Do most Cavalier style pipes run 500.00? would love to have one but not at that price...

[Commander Quan]

No. Dunhill's are the most expensive factory pipes you can buy. That also is not a traditional Cavalier. Most are made of wood, the one feature that all cavaliers have that make them unique is that the shaft extends below the draft hole of the pipe, and is capped. This acts like a moisture trap, and can easily be cleaned out by removing the cap.

For another shaped pipe that can easily hang when clenched look at Oom Paul, or Hungarian shapes. (they are the same thing)

Will do... I am more or less looking for a cheap beginners pipe that is not too heavy that I can comfortably clench between my teeth and smoke hands free... this shape appealed to me cause the "hook" shape of the stem looks like it would hang from the mouth easily...

[iaMkcK]

Originally Posted by Commander Quan

This acts like a moisture trap, and can easily be cleaned out by removing the cap.

Any regular production inexpensive pipes that feature this? I always have a moisture problem, and no matter how little I clench, my style of smoking has me cleaning the pipe after every use to rid the moisture.. I see that the Cavalier style has a lot of really goofy looks.. I wouldn't mind a sub-$100 pipe that looks more traditional..

[688sonarmen]

Originally Posted by iaMkcK

Any cheaper pipes that feature this? I always have a moisture problem, and no matter how little I clench, my style of smoking has me cleaning the pipe after every use to rid the moisture..

Jarrett, Peterson System pipes can be had for around 100$ They have a moisture trap as well.

[688sonarmen]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=150987177244

Speaking of, I have been eyeing this pipe (not actually going to buy it), is there a reason why it is listed so low? I would think an older model would go for a bit higher.

[jjefrey]

Just started with my first pipe, a Dr. Grabow.

I've read that I need to let the pipe rest a few days between smokes is this correct?

What would happen if I smoked it daily with out letting it rest?

[Commander Quan]

The purpose of letting the pipe rest is to allow the moisture absorbed by the wood to dry. If you are smoking one bowl a day, smoking every day isn't going to hurt anything. If you smoke more often, letting it rest is a good idea.

If the pipe is not allowed to dry, it will sour quicker than if it is allowed.

Eventually the pipe will start to sour or taste off, when that happens a Salt & Alcohol treatment is all that is needed to refresh it.