[mhailey]

I've tried to sort through some of the sticky links to decide what route I should take, but will defer to vast knowledge base here.

If you had to start over, which style/brand pipe would be your first purchase?


CORN COB. A few of them.


Likewise, which tobaccos and blends would your start off with?


Go to your local B&M and get an ounce each of some of the bulk blends and see what you like. You might like aeros or English or Virginias or VaPers. Try them out.


What tools are needed to maintain and smoke your pipe?


To begin with. A lighter, a tamper of some sort [empty 223 shell works], pipe cleaners.


Can pipe tobacco and cigars live in the same coolidor/humidor without adversely effecting each other's flavors?


I don't recommend it. Put your pipe tobacco in mason jars.


Lastly, which websites provide a general pipe tobacco information, for beginners through mature users, and general industry news/trends?


Cigar asylum. Retailers: 4noggins, pipesandcigars, cupojoes. Lots of good YouTube videos.