Help!!

[tjhemp]

OK so I've been smoking cigars for quite a few years now and consider myself pretty well versed in them. I have been watching the pipe threads here since the beginning and I think I would like to dip my feet into this and see how it goes. Problem is that I don't know if I have ever felt so green even after reading the many threads in the pipe forum. I want to try it out but preferably without making a huge investment in case I don't enjoy it as much as I think I will. I don't even know where to start with a pipe purchase. I'm seeing prices that range from seemingly high to quite cheap and I was hoping for some advise on where to start with a pipe and tobacco. Thanks for any and all input in advance.

[Lostmason]

First start with a cob pipe, preferrably a Missourie Meerschaum. Cheap and you can probably find it at Walgreens.
On tobacco, don't jump to aro's, flavored goopers. You'll want something kind of dry. While they may be
listed as aro's Carter Hall and Prince Albert are great starters and also at Walgreens. If you like those and
want to continue then sign up for the newby trade and look into some english and va.per blends.

[Hardheaded]

I'll second the cob approach. I think the three I bought locally were around $7 each. A pouch of Prince Albert or Carter Hall runs about the same. Add in a few bucks for some pipe cleaners and a pipe tool if you really want one and you are looking at $20-30 max, depending on taxes and how many tobaccos you start with.

Or, if you want to start with a wider variety I'm sure someone here might be persuaded to hook you up with some samples. I want to place an order soon myself for a bit of variety as I am getting back into it and I'd be happy to share.

[Aguineapig]

What the others said. Grab a cob or two, you're out less than 10 bucks. the OTC stuff is good to try, but if it doesn't quite strike your fancy, I am of the opinion that Cornell & Diehl makes some blends that would suit a cigar smokers palate in terms of fullness of flavor and robustness, whereas the OTC blends are all pretty mild, mellow, etc. A few from C&D I would look at trying (all available in bulk pretty cheap); Haunted Bookshop, Morley's best, Pegasus, Three Friars (would be an excellent blend to start out with period), Star of the East, and Engine #99 (the last two for interesting introductions to Latakia).

Good luck!

[BryGuySC]

+1 on the cobs.
And +1 on the noob pipe tobacco trade. It is great.

Coming from cigars, you might want to try something like:
Mac Baren Old Dark Fired.
Orlik Dark Strong Kentucky

I'm not against starting with aromatics, though. That is where many of us started.
Look at the McClelland bulk aromatics. Sutliff has some I've enjoyed. Hearth & Home has some good ones.
Check out Pipesandcigars.com for good prices. A lot of pipe tobaccos can be purchased in "bulk," so you can try out just an ounce.
Check out what others think of a certain tobacco at tobaccoreviews.com.

Maybe avoid flakes to start with; they can be fiddly.

[Cool Breeze]

Hehehe

Prepare for your humidors to get neglected. lol

I'll echo some of what is already mentioned.
Cobs are indeed a good place to start. If you quickly realize that you like it, you can get an entry level briar pipe in the $30 range. Dr. Grabows are in that range and all 3 that I have smoke great.

As far as tobaccos, try a variety. As mentioned the NST is a great place to do this. It is where I got my introduction to many different types of blends.

Know that there is a bit of a learning curve with pipes. Packing a pipe properly will take a few tries more than likely.

Welcome to the slippery slope.

[Bruck]

OK guys, I'll send him some samples if one of y'all sends him a cob or cheap briar - I would but all mine have been smoked.

@tjhemp - PM me your mailing address if you're interested.

[Hardheaded]

OK guys, I'll send him some samples if one of y'all sends him a cob or cheap briar - I would but all mine have been smoked.

@tjhemp - PM me your mailing address if you're interested.

I can handle that. If I don't have a fresh one then its just an excuse to hit the B&M. Shucks.

[tjhemp]

OK guys, I'll send him some samples if one of y'all sends him a cob or cheap briar - I would but all mine have been smoked.

@tjhemp - PM me your mailing address if you're interested.

Oh man you bums are awesome and too generous. I'll take you up on that offer and trust me one day I'll pay it back in spades. PM sent. Thanks again.

[Emperor Zurg]

Uh-oh, you're toast!