Thread: Taking up Pipes...Suggestions

I am currently in the beginner stages of smoking pipes. I am contemplating a Peterson Standard pipe. I thought the Peterson dry system will provide me with a cooler smoking experience. The local tobacconist will have a St. Pat's day coming up in which the Peterson reps come in and one can get a Peterson on sale.

Any thoughts, advise, or recommendations would be appreciated. While your reading, any recommendations for a tobacco which is on the mild side and a cooler smoking experience?

Michael

Michael, have you smoked anything before? Cigars, cigarettes?

Most beginners will start with aromatic tobaccos.

If you enjoy the taste of natural tobacco however and smoked cigars before for example, then a mild english blend would be a good start. Something that will burn dry and is easy to fill in the pipe. I would recommend Early Morning Pipe from Dunhill for example. As you mentioned peterson, Old Dublin is a quality english blend that carries their label.

Thanks for the reply. I will try the tobacco.
No I never smoked in my 50 years until a couple months ago. The local shop and staff
invited me to join in their smoking rooms. It's a good group of men not unlike SRP. As you can see
most of my SRP activity was in the SRP-Yahoo days. But I still like SRP and the people and of course the
Double Duck I used this morning.
So I have tried some bulk tobaccos in the briar pipe I made and some fine cigars.
As you can expect I like the mild cigars and aromatic tobaccos best. I plan on a couple decent
pipes and my son has a Peterson. I'm looking forward to a better pipe and mix in some cigars for
variety.

Petes are good pipes and I have a few of the straight type. I have had some bent system pipes in the past but I didn't like having to swab that chamber out of the saliva and condensation that accumulates in there with every smoke. I guess I prefer straight pipes to bents because, IME, it is easier to avoid too much moisture in the mortise and bowl than it is in a bent. If you like cigars and pipes try a tin of GL Pease 'Robusto'. A blend of the best of both tobaccos.

You've already get some good advice here. I'd just like to add to be sure and check out the Pipe of the Day thread and feel free to join in It may even give you an idea on other pipes you may like

I know many start with aromatics, because of the flavors and whatonot, but I would recommend against them because I find they tend to burn hot and wet. I would say try out the various "standard" type blends; some English stuff, some Virginian based, and some Burly based. Also, you can always mix what you buy; for example I found I'm not fond of straight Virginia nor Burly, but I like blends of the two.

When it comes to the pipe itself, well, I think you can only tell what's comfortable when you smoke it. For example, I totally know what Jimmy's saying about the liquid buildup in bents, but I find straights uncomfortable because I go hands free a fair bit. But I would recommend avoiding cheap pipes. I know the financial temptation is there, but, as with straights, if you use cheap products you get a cheap experience.

Not always true about avoiding cheap pipes...I can get just as pleasurable experience from a $10 cob as I can from a $400 Winslow..it's just much more pleasureable to hold the art of a Winslow in your hand..lol. I agree a cheap briar is not always the best, you just have to be smart about it and trust that whomever is selling you the pipe is giving you honest info. Good luck and enjoy.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

I know many start with aromatics, because of the flavors and whatonot, but I would recommend against them because I find they tend to burn hot and wet. I would say try out the various "standard" type blends; some English stuff, some Virginian based, and some Burly based. Also, you can always mix what you buy; for example I found I'm not fond of straight Virginia nor Burly, but I like blends of the two.

When it comes to the pipe itself, well, I think you can only tell what's comfortable when you smoke it. For example, I totally know what Jimmy's saying about the liquid buildup in bents, but I find straights uncomfortable because I go hands free a fair bit. But I would recommend avoiding cheap pipes. I know the financial temptation is there, but, as with straights, if you use cheap products you get a cheap experience.

I agree. Smoking aromatics for a beginner is difficult. Find a tobacco that is dryer. Get a good lighter and good pipe tools.

Also, pick up a pack or two, or three of regular pipe cleaners. I like BJ Longs 'regular' the best. The large are sometimes too thick to go into some stem/mortise combinations IME. Anyway, pipe cleaners are essential for after the smoke and sometimes necessary in the midst of the smoke.

I just grabbed myself a lorenzetti nero for about 70 bucks as a first pipe and i love it. Its nothing fancy but its a great starter! I went with a straight pipe cause its easier to clean, less spit build up and it keeps the smoke out of your eyes better!