Part 2: How to Start Pipe Smoking

(originally posted by The Mad Professor on CigarGeeks forum on 10-3-2011, modified for audience)
How do you start pipe smoking?
So if you read my prior list of reasons to take up pipe smoking you MUST be asking yourself:  "Now how can I begin such a noble craft as pipe smoking for the super-low-introductory price of under $20?!"

Just get yerself:
• a "Missouri Meerschaum" Corn Cob pipe = $5 - $8
• Matches = $2
• a 3-way pipe Tamper = $2 (or a nail or golf tee for free)
• Pipe Cleaners = $2
• 1.5 oz Prince Albert pipe tobacco* = $3 - $8


Go to a tobacco shop with pipe stuff or an online retailer for the MM corn cob and the tamper. The rest can be found at most Rite-Aid, CVS, or other drugstores.

* (Disclaimer - Prince Albert is my recommendation for a first pipe tobacco. Others will have their own recommendation.)

Prince Albert (PA) is good old school American tobacco, without much flavorings and chemicals. It packs easy and burns easy. Its cheap and available everywhere (know as OTC or drug store tobacco). And it tastes pretty good too - slight overtones of hazelnut to me. All of these reasons combined is why I think this is  a good place to start.

 More to come...Next Post: Instructions For Use!
 ~TMP

Part 1: Why You Should Smoke a Pipe

(originally posted by The Mad Professor on CigarGeeks forum on 10-3-2011, modified for audience)

Picking up pipe smoking is cheap and easy, and quite rewarding. Like most endeavors, mastering it takes practice and time, but it's a lot of fun along the way. Don't be discouraged if you read how complicated some advanced smokers can make it, that's how they keep their hobby fun - you should start simple. So….

Why should you smoke a pipe? 
• First, it is WAY cheaper per smoke than cigars (or even cigarettes)
• You can start smoking a pipe for $10 to $20
• Storing pipe tobacco is easy and doesn't need to be humidified (just mason jars)
• Many pipes are works of art too
• You can mix your own blends
• Some pipe blends (Virginias) age very well, similar to cigars but easier
• There are nearly as many types of pipe tobacco as there are cigars or beer to chose from - therefore something for everyone
• You can relight a pipe long after it went out without affecting the flavor of the tobacco (some smokers will take 2 days to finish a bowl!)
• Therefore, you can set your pipe down if you need to cut your smoke short (unlike a cigar or cigarette)

Also, less serious but still true...
• Most women love the aroma of aromatic tobaccos
• Your wife might let you smoke indoors
• A pipe rack looks really impressive on your desk (or in your living room)
• It's a good excuse to always have Everclear on hand (used for cleaning)
• Your kids will love making crafts with your pipe cleaners
• And lastly, pipe smokers are kind and wise... so if your a dumb a%#hole then it will help with your character


There are a few reasons against it too:
PAD and TAD (Pipe Acquisition Disorder/Tobacco Aqc. Dis.) can be ridiculous. Look at an old pipe smokers cellar/collection!
Pipes can cost a lot, and you get what you pay for (within reason) with a new pipe. (Start with estate pipes, don't buy new!)
And maybe one or two more, but you can think of them yourself… I'm trying to get you to smoke a pipe, not quit!

More to come...Next post: How to Start Pipe Smoking!
~TMP