Thread: Pipe / Tobacco recommendations for a novice

So, over the years, I've gone through very brief phases where I'm into cigars. They usually coincide with my trips down to the Carolina's or a breakup or something of the sort. But last year or so, when on my way to a camping trip, I stopped at the local gas station and got a corncob pipe and some basic pouch tobacco. The aroma was great but I just couldn't handle the flavor.

And here I am again. I'm going to Myrtle Beach in a few weeks and I'd like a pipe and some decent beginner tobacco to join me. So I'm looking for a recommendation on a good BEGINNER pipe, one that I don't have to spend a lot on because I'm not going to smoke it a ton, and a good, easy to smoke tobacco.

There is a tobacconist not far from my office that I might hit up in the next few days or so. But I'd rather not go in blind. So...any help is appreciated.

I highly recommend a corn cob pipe for a beginner. They are cheap, good quality smokes and easily found at Walgreens or a similar store. For tobacco the tobacconist might recommend some aromatic goop but I would recommend a natural burley/Virginia blend. Here is a previous thread with some good stuff to go with.

If you have a cigar background in addition to the recommendations in the other thread I would also add the following:
C&D Billy Budd
C&D Old Joe Krantz
C&D Epiphany

A source for a lot of the tobaccos recommended could be pretty difficult. Most on line pipe tobacco outlets will carry a basic selection that will likely include all of the tobaccos recommended. Smokingpipes.com are my go to guys their shipping is really fast and they're super nice folks to deal with. I have also ordered direct from Cornell and Diehl as well.

My go to is Pipes and Cigars dot com here . Free shipping for orders over $100.00 and they have all of the goods in tin or in bulk.

JimmyHAD.....not to hyjack this thread, but thanks for the heads up about the "Pipe and Cigar" store. I've been looking for some Squardon Leader for quite a while, and they had it in bulk there! Finally......!

Freehand

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I highly recommend a corn cob pipe for a beginner. They are cheap, good quality smokes and easily found at Walgreens or a similar store. For tobacco the tobacconist might recommend some aromatic goop but I would recommend a natural burley/Virginia blend. Here is a previous thread with some good stuff to go with.

I'd agree with the cob idea, pretty much the least expensive route and most people really like them. Tobacco is a different story though....try to read up and find what matches closely to what you are used to in cigars. I found (when I first started pipe smoking) that the english/oriental blends suited me best. The virginias just don't jive with me, couldn't tell you why....

Originally Posted by crichton

I'd agree with the cob idea, pretty much the least expensive route and most people really like them. Tobacco is a different story though....try to read up and find what matches closely to what you are used to in cigars. I found (when I first started pipe smoking) that the english/oriental blends suited me best. The virginias just don't jive with me, couldn't tell you why....

Cool. I know I loved the scent of the cavendish's I've come across through time. I also know that a lot of the cigars I'd smoked in the past were a bit...much. I liked the mellow, smooth, even-flavored ones. I'll probably stop at the tobacconist tomorrow on my lunch break (there's one across the street) and see what they got. If all goes well, I'll enjoy a good smoke on my ride home from my last class of the semester. In either case, I'll def be having a smoke while I hunt (or fish, if weather sucks) this weekend.

Originally Posted by Freehand

JimmyHAD.....not to hyjack this thread, but thanks for the heads up about the "Pipe and Cigar" store. I've been looking for some Squardon Leader for quite a while, and they had it in bulk there! Finally......!

Freehand

Gonna get me a Sam Elliot hat this summer !!! Just wish i could a stash like that !!!

Originally Posted by Freehand

JimmyHAD.....not to hyjack this thread, but thanks for the heads up about the "Pipe and Cigar" store. I've been looking for some Squardon Leader for quite a while, and they had it in bulk there! Finally......!

Freehand

Holy Smokes, thanks for that steer, that's the largest selection of SG stuff I've seen in quite some time. One things for sure, we better snag what we can pretty quick because once word gets out that he has SG stuff it won't be there for long. Chocolate Flake, 1792 and Squadron Leader are all favorites.

Corn Cobs are the best. You don't have to have a separate pipe for each type of tobacco you smoke, like you do with briars, no need to 'break them in', and you can finish a bowl, dump it out, wipe out the bowl with a paper towel, reload and be smoking again instantly. And if something happens to the pipe, like dropping it in the river, or stepping on it, or whatever, it's not a disaster. At under $10.00 (and that's for a really nice one), you can afford to keep a few spares.

As for tobacco, my favorite is Tobacco Galleria Vanilla. It is mild, burns dry, cool and even, all the way to the bottom of the bowl, has a wonderful sweet taste with no bite, and an almost intoxicating vanilla aroma.. Another advantage is that I have never had anyone complain about the smell, and it actually seems to attract women.