Pipe smoking (Tobacco)

[Jihad]

I've been enjoying cigars for about 10 years now, and I really enjoy finer tobacco products. Since the first time I smoked a pipe when I was around 16, I've always had a small infatuation with the idea of smoking a pipe. The problem is, I can't get over the image that comes with a pipe. I am, like the rest of us, at least a little image-conscious and the image of a 75 year old man talking about "The War" while asking you to speak louder is not really something I'm going for.

Recently I added a patio to my home and that has rekindled my desire to become a tobacco pipe smoker. My fiance thinks its absolutely ridiculous, as do a few of my friends that I've polled, but I've decided that I don't care and I'm going to go ahead and buy a pipe.

This brings several questions to mind, as I am completely new to the scene. I have found an excellent tobacco house here in Jacksonville in terms of their selection, but they are not all too friendly or helpful, especially when it comes to their pipes. I'm in the market for something in the $100 range, I'm willing to fudge either way if something suits me, but I don't really know what I'm looking for with regards to quality or even brand recognition. I also don't know if there's any method I should be using for choosing tobacco other than the "ooh that smells good" approach.

So do any of the ElD readers have pipe tobacco experience? Is the idea of a 27 year old man smoking a pipe just too much to overcome? What kind of pipe should I be looking for, and what kind of tobacco do you buy/like? Thanks.

-Jihad

[manpower]

I'm a few years younger than you, and I used to smoke a pipe (occasionally). Some people think it's cool, most people think it's weird. Almost no one our age smokes them, people who do tend to be D&D or LoTR junkies or otherwise can't pull any tail. However, I find pipe smoking to be far and away the most pleasurable way to enjoy your tobacco.

As far as pipe type goes, it's more or less common sense. A $100 pipe isn't going to smoke any better than a $20 pipe, so it's pretty much aesthetic once you decide to ditch the corncobs. Sherlocks are a little easier to hold in your mouth, as they kind of fit the contour of your upper palate. However spit tends to drain down into the stem, which has it's drawbacks. As far as size goes, I wouldn't bother getting one with a huge bowl on it unless you actually plan on using the huge bowl, as they're a little harder to light and keep lit. I generally like a short 5-10 minute smoke, and I go with small, straight stemmed pipes.

In general, I've found that people very much do like the smell of pipe smoke and I've even lived with people for whom pipe smoking was ok in the house, where cigarettes and cigars were not.

Another thing to mention is that pipes can be a challenge to keep lit, at least until you get used to it. You generally have to keep airflow on the cherry for a little while after lighting until it's gets going, and even after that you can't put it down for a minute or two and expect it to still be going in the way a cigar would. Also you should let a cake (that is, a layer of already smoked tobacco) build up in the bowl, which will help keep the pipe lit.

The 'ooh that smells good approach' is pretty much what I've used to pick my tobacco out and has always served me fine. Try to get some sort of sampler from the store and if they blend anything in house, get that.

[testaaja]

I'm a total newbie pipe smoker also. A few years back I just had to get a pipe just to look sherlock, so I started to search for one. I ended up getting this:

Cost me like 24 euros. I think it's really good and think that you shouldn't put much more than $30-$50 to buying a pipe.

I've only smoked 2 blends of tobacco, the other was something called sherlock holmes. I really enjoed puffing that stuff. Now that I've ran out of pipe tobacco I really want something special. I have no clue what to pick, I only smoke like once a week or so.

All of my friends think that smoking a pipe is cool but many unknown people who see a 18-year-old smoking a pipe obviously think he's a crackhead [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[shaniac]

Smoking pipe tobacco is a fine pastime, but, like all hobbies, requires a little dedication.

My understanding of good wooden pipes is that they're not supposed to be used two days in a row, and, eventually, if you get serious about pipe tobacco, you're going to want to have at least seven (7) pipes, one for each day.

As for finding the smoke you like most, just ask around and experiment.

[Jihad]

TY manpower, that's some good information. Do you know anything about what shaniac mentioned wrt not smoking 1 pipe for 2 days in a row?

[shaundeeb]

yah def don't smoke your pipes after smoking for a day trust me it gets nasty. Be sure to clean your pipe and find a few diff types of tobacco. With that you can choose a diff strand each day. Get a few corncobs for your off days from your mainpipe. Those saying the smoke isn't diff on a $20 and $100 pipe didn't get a good $100 pipe. My main one was 150 and you can tell the higher quality easier to smoke stays lit better etc.

[DavidC]

Hijack:

I don't really agree with smoking, but whatever... Just curious, though... Is there any form of tobacco smoking that would be similar to smoking tobacco the way the "indians" did?

i.e. I presume that would mean organic tobacco with no additives that are normally found in cigarettes, etc.

I'd be semi interested in comparing the two, just for fun.

I smoked a few cigarettes when I was like 13 but I didn't really like it, and I tried one recently, I think, and it was like trying to smoke paint or something. Pretty nasty stuff.

[shaundeeb]

hookah may be fore you then david.

[shaniac]

[ QUOTE ]
Hijack:

I don't really agree with smoking, but whatever... Just curious, though... Is there any form of tobacco smoking that would be similar to smoking tobacco the way the "indians" did?


[/ QUOTE ]

I think all forms of tobacco smoking pay tribute to the plant the Native Americans introduced to us...but the answer to your question is probably "pipe smoking." Also, what exactly don't you "really agree with" about smoking? You just mean you don't enjoy smoking?

[Donkey85]

I beg to differ on the fact that a $30 pipe smokes as well as a $600 pipe. On briar pipes the pipes that cost more are made from much higher quality briar. They tend to smoke much cooler. A dr. graybo(sp) from walgreens wont smoke nearly as nice as a bently which wont smoke nearly as nice as a Former (also know by the carver's name, Hans Nielsen). Also you will notice a very differnt smoking experience between different shapes of pipes.

There are also pipes made of meerschaum. These are my personal favorite. It is impossible to "burn them out" which is a result of smoking to fast. They also have a much cooler smoke. They tend to have a much sweeter taste than a briar pipe. The pipes start off white but after smoking them they darken in shades of brown. When buying a meerschaum spend the extra money for an masters piece (one that is signed). The carving and meerschaum quality is much higher.

There are also calabash and clay pipes. I have never smoked any of these so i will not comment on them.

Just a random thought that i dont know where to put. Dont waste your time/money going out of your way to buy a new pipe and have an amber stem. To get a new one made is $100/inch(i checked this out 2 years ago so prices may have changed). Some estate pipes have amber stems but be careful buying a pipe just because it has an amber stem because you are going to be pissed if you manage to break it.

As far as my favorite tobaccos:

for a mild smoke: Sable
for a medium smoke: black cavendish and cumberland gap(i have this in my pouch right now it is my personal favorite. I have a pound of this sitting in my humidor)
for a smoke to put you on your ass: Mastro de Paja, or "the rope" (this stuff seriously comes in a braided rope that you have to cut up)

Also david get your self a churchwarden or a clay and some virginia tobacco and have fun.

Shaundeeb- i personally dont switch out tobaccos that often, at least on the same pipe. I think the first smoke when you switch tobaccos in the pipe sucks so i dont do it. If you want to try a bunch of tobaccos smoke a pouch then switch. Also I cant stress eneough how important it is to clean your pipes (lol). Just running a pipe cleaner through it after you smoke makes worlds of difference.

I hope this helped.
happy smoking