1. Order a
Missouri Meerschaum Country Gentleman corncob pipe. Do not imagine there is something "rookie" or "kiddie" about this, or most, of the Missouri Meerschaum line of cobs. A proper cob is an excellent smoking pipe that dries out fast, smokes cool, loses a "ghost" odor of scented tobaccos fast and takes seconds to clean. Many long-time pipers will tell you that a good cob is the smoking equal of the finest briar pipe. $10
2. Get a bag of
100 BJ Long Standard (not bristle or colored or tapered or oversized) pipecleaners to sweep moisture and tar out of the pipestem and pipe shank during and after a smoke. $2.00
3. Buy a
cheap pipe tool/tamper or locate a suitable wooden golf tee or large flatheaded nail (with the point filed off) for the same effect. $2.00
4. Find a drug- or grocery store (or go online) and get a pouch of Carter Hall, Prince Albert or Sir Walter Raleigh and/or a pouch of Captain Black or, really, any other thing you want. The deal with CH, PA or SWR is predictability. We've all smoked it and we all know what it does so, if you have a problem, we can sort it out in seconds. It is also generally available, not expensive and tastes good.
5. Most of your local tobacconists wish to sell you a briar pipe and a few ounces of their house blended stuff that smells like chocolate chip cookies in the oven (you know - something in a giant glass jar called "Grandpa's Bib Overalls" or something like that) but nobody here knows what it. If you get a few ounces of Grandpa's Overalls, ask the guy at the store why your tongue hurts, not us. Also, if you buy an affordable briar or meerschaum pipe from the tobacconist, and not a Missouri Meerschaum cob, you probably are not doing yourself a favor.
6. No rules here. More what you call guidelines.
7. A pipesmoker can have a lifetime of enjoyment with the American classic combination of a MM cob and Carter Hall. It is the practically perfect starting point of ready availability, good taste, easy results and a common language if problems arise.