Cigar Smoker Poking in
 

Ok I know i have gone down this path before but here I am again.

What would you suggest for the newb.

Let me be more specific.

I don't want a Cob...........I know they are inexpensive but I just can't get the picture of popeye out of my head.

I would want something with a relatively large bowl (I think) and not a straight pipe (again I think)

My interest would be in some very mild tobacco's.............I think they are called aromatics..........my grandfather used to smoke ones that smelled like apple or vanilla???

Are these tobacco's chemically infused like backwoods or the other flavoured cigars?? If so that doesn't sound very pleasant............one of the things I love about cigars is the purity of the tobacco (well that and they taste awesome)

Do many of you smoke both? Do you have a preference or is it just this one night and that another?

I have more questions but lets start there and see where we go.

Be nice if there was a starter kit or something (what tools do I need?)

Anyway thanks guys I know I have asked before, my interest has never waned I am just on the edge peaking in.

Re: Cigar Smoker Poking in
 

I like my Savinelli's, huge selection shape wise and price too. From $40.00 to $400.00
http://store.pipesandcigars.com/savinellipipes.html

For aromatic tobacco I really like the Butternut Burley.
http://pipesandcigars.com/scottysblends.html
Mild non-aromatic I like the Davidoff Blue mixture and Davidoff Scottish mixture.
http://www.pipesandcigars.com/davidofftins.html
Some like available everywhere Carter Hall???

A soft flame lighter and a 3 in 1 Czech Tool you are ready to go..
Puff lightly to avoid tongue bite...

Re: Cigar Smoker Poking in
 

Shawn, i'm no fan of aromatics, they tend to be wet and goopy and generally only taste like whatever they are flavored like. I know your cigar tastes reasonably well from our conversations and seeing your post and I think you maybe better off with a more traditional form of pipe tobacco such as an english or a virgina (va)or a virgina perique (va/per), oriental, ect.

as to the size of the pipe that's a personal thing. I, nor anyone else, can tell you which is right for you. things that are flakes or are that are very strong you may want a smaller pipe, i usually smoke my va/per in a smaller pipe since they are a bit stronger. my english backys tend to go in larger pipes such as my bent nording, however i this isn't set in stone for me as I smoke them out of my smaller bowled 4 digit kaywoodies.

you'll need:
pipe
backy
tamper
cleaners
soft flame lighter/matches. bics work, i think pete has a zippo insert that does soft flame, vector has one too i think, i've got a bently pipe lighter that works well..as does my old boy, but those aren't cheap

i don't know who the best place to order from for you since you're in canada. feel free to message me via blackberry. i love talking pipes

Re: Cigar Smoker Poking in
 

Great point on the aromatics, thats what I like about the Butternut though not wet and goopy, great burn with no bite.

Re: Cigar Smoker Poking in
 

Rethink the cob thingie; they can be exceptional smoking pipes without many of the problems that briar and clay bring to new smokers. If you are flat-out anti-cobbite, consider a decent full-sized meerschaum pipe.

Re: Cigar Smoker Poking in
 

I am dead set against a cob..........dunno why just don't like the idea

What are the issues with a Brier or Clay

I have been looking at some reasonably priced Brigham pipes for a starter.

Also I am looking more at bent pipes than straights.

Re: Cigar Smoker Poking in
 

-I enjoy some Lane's 1-Q and Butternut Burley. They are decent aromatics I would say.

-Check out http://www.4noggins.com/ they say on their website that they ship to canada. If it truly is an issue with shipping, I would be more than happy to help a brother out.

-There are a lot of cheap pipes that aren't corncobs. Many sites offer "random or mix match" briar pipes for cheap. Although as Mr. Moo said cobs are very nice. They sell some smaller ones for under 3 bucks. It's nice to buy a few sample a blend in each. Ghosting can confuse ( like it did to me ) a new pipe smoker. Pipes like kaywoodie or dr. grabow are cheap briar pipes.

Re: Cigar Smoker Poking in
 

Very cool, see now something like this is exactly what I was thinking of

http://www.4noggins.com/Dr.GrabowSavoyBentCarved.aspx

Re: Cigar Smoker Poking in
 

http://www.pipesandcigars.com/inshqu.html
http://www.smokingpipes.com/
also ships to Canada

Re: Cigar Smoker Poking in
 

Ok so help me with the Pipe thing.

Assuming I don't want a cob (ok don't assume I don't)

But I don't want to break the bank.............I see lots of nice looking pipes in that 30 to 40 range.

What should I be looking for?? I am assuming liking the look of something doesn't mean a thing. How do I know what will smoke well and what wont.

Uggh................maybe I should stick to cigars

Re: Cigar Smoker Poking in
 

Stick with well known brands, and you should be pretty safe. Savinelli makes quality pipes that are affordable. Their EX shapes are big pipes, so that covers you there. I don't smoke aromatics in my briars, so if you want to try those out, I'd suggest either grabbing a cob or two (even though I know you don't like them) or going with a Meerschaum pipe. Teeter over the edge a little further, you're almost there...

Re: Cigar Smoker Poking in
 

Savinelli and Peterson make good pipes for 40 or so bucks, Stanwell may also, those three are great mid-level pipes IMO

Re: Cigar Smoker Poking in
 

i like the pipa croci line myself....
whichever brand you buy....a couple of pointers, particularly in the larger size...

the thicker the wall of the pipe, the cooler it will smoke....
look for either good straight grain, or what they call birdseye grain....

Re: Cigar Smoker Poking in
 

Now I understand Al's text messages ...

Re: Cigar Smoker Poking in
 

These are my two goto sites...I find their prices are better than 4noggins and their customer service is fantastic...there's a ton of pipes in your price range of $30-40...pipesandcigars.com has a greater selection of name brands in that range...

Re: Cigar Smoker Poking in
 

PM Sent. :D

Re: Cigar Smoker Poking in
 

Nope apparently I am over. Seems a couple of the inmates decided to send me a care package............ughh

Now I need to know..........how do I store pipe tobacco??? I don't think storing it with my cigars is a good idea.

I have a 75 count that I am not using should I reseason it and store the tobacco in that???

Re: Cigar Smoker Poking in
 

storing them with cigars is not a good idea, however you don't need a humi either. pipe backy needs much less humidty then cigars, I use zip lock bags, mason jars, or the tins the backy comes in.

Re: Cigar Smoker Poking in
 

Shawn, smoking a pipe... who woulda thunk???? :D

If the tins are unopened, they can be stored in a box (in a cool place) or on a shelf in a basement. If the tabak is in baggies, or the tin is opened, it may start to dry out. I've started using Ziplock storage containers for the contents of tins or bulk tabak. Samples can be stored in a container like you sent those Opus X's in to me (in fact, that's what it's being used for now) :tu

If you end up like me, when you find that you enjoy a particular tabak, you'll just leave the tabak in the tin until it's empty. Or, you'll order it in bulk (if available), place the bulk package in a large Ziplock storage container, and refill an old tin.

A great website to get info on various pipe tobaccos is: TobaccoReviews.com

There are only a few aromatics that I enjoy, and I've migrated to straight Virginias and burleys. The subtle flavors come out, when you "sip" the smoke from your pipe. It's very much like smoking and enjoying a good cigar.

BTW, Xikar makes a few very nice pipe lighters. I have two now, that I use constantly.

Have fun, Shawn... it's another slope to slide down!! :pi

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Crap I can't use a torch???

How about good wooden matches will that work.......I don't have a soft flame anywhere in this house.

Re: Cigar Smoker Poking in
 

Sure matches work. But I bet you burn through them in no time, as most new pipe smokers take a little time to develop a smoking rythm. So expect a few relights! Pipes go out, i've been smoking for years and usually have at least three relights :r

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Im pretty sure ive got the soft flame lighter covered in my care package :D

Re: Cigar Smoker Poking in
 

Set a cob on fire with the torch, then use the softly burning pipe to light your tobacco in the meerschaum. :)

Meerschaum, unlike briar, doesn't much hold a scent (or a "ghost" as we say here in the pipe fraternity) so you can smoke all kinds of tobacco in one or two meers. Briars, sooner or later, need to be segregated according to tobacco types (don't ask - long story). Meerschaum doesn't get soggy when you smoke two or three bowls in a day; brair does get soggy and likes to dry out for a day or more after a few bowlsful. Briar needs to build a dime-thick carbon cake inside the bowl to smoke cooler and dryer as time goes on and, when too thick, needs scraping or reaming; meers are kept more-or-less cake-free - smoke and scrape lightly with a pipe tool or bristle-type pipe cleaner to discourage buildup.

A cob is like a $4.00 meer - they're also great with moisture and tend not to ghost very much.

Get a straight pipe for starters. They're way easier to pass pipe cleaners through when gurgling begins.

Re: Cigar Smoker Poking in
 

hmmmmmmm

meer huh, were can I get them that are not carved in a skulls head and look like I should be smoking pot in them

Re: Cigar Smoker Poking in
 

Have you been in to Epicure? (used to be Cavendish and Moores) They carry a few, though really kind of over priced.
There are usually a bunch on ebay, you just have to be willing to sift through the sci-fi themed to find the good ones.

Re: Cigar Smoker Poking in
 

http://www.smokingpipes.com/pipes/new/imp/index.cfm

http://www.smspipes.com/index.cfm/fu...n/catalog.main

http://www.cupojoes.com/cgi-bin/dept...ch=DW&tier2=88

http://www.paylesspipes.com/items.php?deptid=2&a=1#s320

Meers are great, I have an IMP and SMS and use them as testers.

Re: Cigar Smoker Poking in
 

aaaaaaagh

I have just scrolled through 220 Meer Pipes on Ebay.................I don't have a f'n clue what I am looking at LOL

Re: Cigar Smoker Poking in
 

There is also the option of a Meer Lined brair.
http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-Dr-GRABO...item2a040b2dd2

http://cgi.ebay.com/Rare-Kaywoodie-M...item27ae6c3886

Re: Cigar Smoker Poking in
 

using a torch to light a pipe is not usually a good idea...as it burns too hot and can burn the bowl of a pipe....

one reason i like my evertorch....has both torch for cigars and soft flame for my pipe and cigars

Re: Cigar Smoker Poking in
 

What do you guys think of this one?
LINk

Re: Cigar Smoker Poking in
 

While I will be the first to admit my experience is far from vast, I have never seen a "new" meer with colour before. It looks cool, but I would wonder about it being new, or what it is that they have done to it to make it look like that.

Re: Cigar Smoker Poking in
 

This is what I believe new Meer pipes to look like. I would be sketchy about that one SilverFox.

http://www.smokingpipes.com/pipes/ne...oduct_id=51672

Re: Cigar Smoker Poking in
 

Looks like maybe I should pick up a few cobs (sigghhh)

I am like a kid in a candy store.

Someone help a poor brother out. I am getting a few cobs but now what.

What tobaccos to try.

I am a strictly Cuban Cigar smoker.

I like subtle nuances in my cigars.............creamy, sweet (not cloying but sweetness to it) coffee and leather notes. Not a big spice fan.

4noggins looks like a good place to start..........what if anything is a can't miss for a newb with my taste profile?

Re: Cigar Smoker Poking in
 

Here is a great review site.
http://tobaccoreviews.com/browse_all.cfm

Re: Cigar Smoker Poking in
 

I would just break down a buy a few cobs. In the beginning I had a few store bought cob pipes, a pipe a brother gifted me and I used some nails I had laying around for a tamping tool.
Then get on with the Newbie Pipe Tobacco thread. Brothers there will hook you up just fine. http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=9168
Get a good variety of tobacco samples to try, and work from there. In time things will work out. Only advice I can give is to take things slow. Pipe smoking is something that should be taken slowly IMMO. Think of it like when you first got into cigars. If you were like me you wanted to try everything and buy everything. Then you end up with a large stash of cigars you find out you really do not care for. Then spend endless time, smoking them or giving them away ahaha :r...I know how you feel. There are so many blends of tobaccos, so many pipes, so little time. Try all different types of tobaccos. I prefer stronger cigars and cubans but when it comes to pipes I enjoy Virginia blends which tend to be sweet tobaccos. There are some pipe tobacco blends that have cigar clippings in them. I have only tried a few of these and was not all that impressed. Hence the corncob suggestion. Having these "throw away" pipes allow you to destroy them while learning how to smoke and trying different tobaccos. In time, you will get better pipes both in cost and smoking quality ( although some guys still prefer cobs ) but in time you will assign certain pipes to certain types of tobaccos. or even specific blends themselves.

Re: Cigar Smoker Poking in
 

I did

I broke down

5 cobs on route

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36 posts... Jeepers. It'll take til Easter to come up with some tobacco to go with them. :D

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Nope............some samplers coming from a couple inmates that decided to shove me down the slope. Also I might have thrown a tin or two in from Noggins.

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6lbs of pipe gear en route :D

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http://forums.offtopic.com/images/smilies/eek2.gif

now that's what i like to see

Re: Cigar Smoker Poking in
 

Now THAT'S funny as chit right there I don't care who you are!

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ughh

Re: Cigar Smoker Poking in
 

Whatever you do, don't store pipe tobacco in a cigar humidor or you can kiss it goodbye as a cigar humi...I did that with a small humi intending to only keep it there for a few days...just a few sample baggies of different pipe tobaccos...forgot about it for several months...when I remembered it the humi reeked of pipe tobacco and I'm still trying to get the smell out after using baking soda, and then activated charcoal...got most of the smell out but it needs another go with the activated charcoal again before even thinking about putting cigars back in it...there are several sites where you can buy these little button humidifiers that you use with pg solution...drop one in each tin or bag of tobacco...also Iwan Ries has these little bricks that you do the same with...they're a little bigger so I use them with larger bags and tins...

Re: Cigar Smoker Poking in
 

The 75 ct will likely never have cigars in it again. I have a 4500 count aristocrat that will serve fine for that.

I am thinking of using my 75ct for my pipe tobacco and just not humidify it. Also since all the tobacco is in tins or bags will it be ok to store the pipes in there as well?

Thanks to all for being patient with all my questions

Re: Cigar Smoker Poking in
 

Just my opinion based on what I did, but all the tobaccos seemed to blend flavors...when I went to taste them they all seemed about the same but these were in plastic baggies...in tins I guess it would be okay...dunno if I'd stash my pipes in the same place as they need to dry out between smokes and I think sticking them in a humi would impede their drying...you can get an inexpensive rack on ebay...

Re: Cigar Smoker Poking in
 

Cool more good information. Thank you sir.

Re: Cigar Smoker Poking in
 

you want to keep your pipes out in open so that the air can help keep the pipes smelling and tasting fresh. think about how a stale cigar smells when it's kept in a car or such, your pipe will have a similar smell if you keep them in a closed space. I don't even like to keep mine in my pipe bag for too long

Re: Cigar Smoker Poking in
 

word.
when i travel, i put my pipes in their pipe bags, then fit 2 of them in each pipe box, then it goes in a travel humi (use to be used for cigars). by the time i'm done with a herf, the pipe bags/boxes stink.

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Seems I need to get a rack of sorts for my pipes then.

They won't stink up a room after will they..............if so I need be prepared for my darling wife to mention something :D

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Invest in some nice candles, I always light one after I finished smoking, takes care of the odor while they dry