Contemplating giving this a try...

[LordOfWu]

...I have a feeling I will need some help, though...I've never smoked a pipe but for some reason it has looked more and more interesting recently. If you guys have any suggestions for starter pipes and tobacco it would be greatly appreciated...and what kind of accessories I'd need.

[webjunkie]

Start with a corncob. They don't need the break-in period that is required with briar, and will only set you back about $5. So, if you break it, no problem, get another.

[physiognomy]

Corn cob (or two?) - http://www.frenchyspipes.com/index.php?crn=206

MM Legend has a small-med bowl. Good starter for around $5
MM American Series - General if you want a bigger pipe... Definitely stick to MM for cobs.

Cheap lighter with angled flame -http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.10080

You could get away with matches or use a bic, but I wouldn't add the distraction when first starting. An angled flame really helps.

Czech tool - http://www.frenchyspipes.com/index.php?crn=214&rn=380&action=show_detail

Saves burning your finger tips when tamping your pipe. Also really helpfull when scraping out ashes etc.

Pipe cleaners - http://www.frenchyspipes.com/index.php?crn=214&rn=373&action=show_detail

A necessity imho. Nothing worse than moisture from your pipe reaching your tongue. Also used to clean up after each smoke.

For tobacco... To start with I suggest you sign up for the CA NST for pipe tobacco (click for link) (http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=9168). Definitely a good way to get your hands on a variety of different tobacco blends & find out what you like.

I put links above to one online vendor, but there are other good ones (eg http://www.smokingpipes.com (http://www.frenchyspipes.com/index.php?crn=214&rn=373&action=show_detail))... The best local shop to pick up all/most of these things would be Edward's over on Broadway.

[NullSmurf]

All what Pete says, except just git in the car and go to Walgreens. Get some of the Walgreens burly too. Not bad. Get a fist full of the Czech tamper tools. Most of mine now reside with the socks and keys.

[LordOfWu]

So, is there an instructional on how to load and light one? I might stop by Walgreens on the way home...but I probably won't have the patience to wait until Friday for someone to show me what to do...

[NullSmurf]

Damn the torpedoes, man! Full speed ahead.

Worst can happen really is to get your pack wrong. It won't burn right and may be harsh. It won't blow up the house. Trick is to sample some "known good" tobacco. I ignored the drug store packs and went to cigar stores that sold bulk. I stuck my nose in and bought an ounce of each that smelled good. 8-10 ounces was still less that about $15.

As for packing, if you have fingernails on your thumbs, you're set. Pack with the thumbs only (not as a ramrod, but like you're trying to plug up the bowl with your thumb) and only as far as your fingernail is even with the edge of the bowl. Keep shoving it in till you're packed to about 1/8 inch short of the top.

[LordOfWu]

OK, so I bought my corn cob, I bought some tobacco, they didn't have tamper tools, but then Null Smurf said to use my thumb...so I washed my hands :D

Gonna search the web for some pictures <insert joke where you feel appropriate> and then I will take the plunge.

[opusfxd]

I was going to suggest the Tobbacco Leaf on Alameda. They've got cobs and baccy there.

[NullSmurf]

Now that there is funny! Use your thumb on the unlit tobacco. Tamping lit tobacco with your thumb will have you looking for your fingerprint.

[LordOfWu]

Yeah, I caught the process in a great noobie thread on CS...gotta say, I'm still gonna give it a couple more try's, but so far not sure how much I'm into the pipe thing...probably need to try with some better tobacco...and maybe some folks to help show me how to do it better.

[NullSmurf]

There is a youtube on the technique somewhere. I'll look for it. My preferred pipe is a Boswell as are most of my tobacco blends, but I'm going to get a couple of cob pipes just to try them. I quite enjoy my pipe.

[LordOfWu]

There is a youtube on the technique somewhere. I'll look for it. My preferred pipe is a Boswell as are most of my tobacco blends, but I'm going to get a couple of cob pipes just to try them. I quite enjoy my pipe.

Bruce, I really appreciate you help, thank you!

[physiognomy]

Mert, if you search for the 'Frank Method' on Youtube there are some good videos on packing your pipe... Also, the MacBarren website has a nice video on packing flake tobaccos. I found them all usefull, but would be happy to sit down with you anytimie & bring along a few things for you to try. These days, I tend not to think about it too much & just fill my pipe according to how long I feel like smoking (hey, maybe I'm getting the hang of this!). I think the key is not packing too tightly & light tamping when necessary to keep the tobacco burning. Take your time as well... don't worry about it going out to begin with. Relighting is a fact of learning to smoke a pipe & you will definitely have a much more enjoyable experience if you don't over heat the bowl & burn up your mouth. Puff (yes, I said it) just enough (slow & long draws) to keep it on the edge of going out. You don't want a raging fire in your pipe. It takes a while to get used to the lower smoke volume compared to cigars, but eventually you will find the balance between enough smoke & not overheating the pipe.

[zmancbr]

Yeah, I caught the process in a great noobie thread on CS...gotta say, I'm still gonna give it a couple more try's, but so far not sure how much I'm into the pipe thing...probably need to try with some better tobacco...and maybe some folks to help show me how to do it better.

That was my issue too lol... I just never could get the pack right and keep it lit, etc... too many issues... so I stick to my cigars. Maybe one day I might give it a go again...:rolleyes:

[NullSmurf]

That's it, Franks Method. Came right up. I found it to be very useful, but like Peter, I just pack by feel now. FWIW, I seldom practice any ritual when lighting a pipe or a cigar. Just burn the damned thing already!

[LordOfWu]

I think part of the problem is I don't know exactly what to expect...

I am going to grab some better tobacco today...and give it another try tonight...then maybe when we get together tomorrow at HMS someone can give me some pointers.

[moglman]

One thing I think you'll find, Mert, is that it compliments cigars very well, especially once you can decide based on feeling. Cigar smokers often gravitate to the tobaccos high in Perique or Latakia just from their expectations of strength. Starting with a bland Virginia or Burley may make you wonder what the big deal is. Once you've tried blends from all over, then you can begin appreciate the subtleties of lighter tobaccos.

[bigsteve]

I like the taste of cigars much, much more than I like the taste of pipe tobacco, but the tactile feeling of smoking a pipe is something that I enjoy.

Personally, it's been quite a while since I've smoked one of my pipes, but perhaps we can trade some tobacco and find something we like.

[caveman]

Mert,
I am in phoenix all the through next Tuesday.
If you go by the shop any time soon, have Erik or Charlie give you free samples of what we have so you find what you like.
I wanted to try a pipe, so travis back in December had me try his.
It is much better when other people are smoking it, you can smell the Aroma but when you smoke it just tast like tobacco.
I will stick to my hookah and cigars.

[LordOfWu]

So I picked up a new pipe (still a cheapie from MM, but Peter thinks it's made of cherry wood) and I've pretty much finished off the Irish Whiskey (?) I picked up at HMS. The new pipe smokes much easier than the cob, really enjoyed a couple of bowls over the weekend.

I got in on the NST in CA, so I should be getting some stuff in from that, I'll post up what I get when it comes in.