Pipe Smoking Guide: Buying a Tobacco Pipe
Estate Pipes vs. New Pipes
If, however, you so choose to go straight to a briar or meerschaum your choice will be a little more difficult. Now you have to decide between a brand new pipe or an Estate Pipe. An estate pipe is a great choice for a beginner. These are pipes that are pre-owned and have probably been broken in. Most tobacco shops will take estate pipes as trade-ins then clean them up and sell them for a small profit. If you can’t find an estate pipe that you like the next obvious choice is a new pipe. Either way (new or estate) you should expect to pay between $20 - $75. You’ll want to heavily consider some of the higher quality pipes made by Bari, Peterson, Nording, GBD or Stanwell. They all make quality tobacco pipes.
Whether you chose to go with a new or estate pipe there are three things you’ll need to consider before purchasing: aesthetics, pipe quality, and price. There is a good chance if you stick with pipe smoking as a hobby that you’ll have your first pipe for the rest of your life. You may even pass it down as a family heirloom. That’s why you want to make sure it aesthetically pleasing, in good working shape. Let’s discuss each of these aspects in a little more detail.
Aesthetics
If you gave your wife $1000 to go out and buy the best pipe in town and she came back with a pipe you didn’t like, chances are you’re not going to smoke it. You’ll come to find out that a pipe is a very personal thing. The biggest factor in purchasing a pipe is that you like it and maybe even love it. Be one with your pipe.
So that’s pretty easy huh? Just find something you really, really like. Well, naturally your next question is how do I know what I like? Well, your first impression when seeing a pipe for the first time will tell you a lot. If you see it and you like it, pick it up and try it on. Yes that right, strike a pose in front of a mirror and see how it looks. Does it still appeal to you? It’s almost like buying a pair of sunglasses. Looks cool on the rack but not on your mug.
Remember when I recommended you purchase a corn cob pipe as your first? If you spend an extra $10 you can buy 2 or 3 different styles of corn cob pipes to get a feel for what you like. They are all going to smoke a little bit differently. Now when you go to buy your briar you’ll know exactly what you prefer.
One last thing to keep in mind. Think Sherlock Holmes or Mark Twain. In the case of Sherlock Holmes, he sports a pipe that is way over-the-top whereas Mark Twain selected a pipe in keeping with his particular character. Since pipe smoking is more a weekend hobby for me I tend to go with pipes that are over-the-top.
Mechanical
Once you’ve found a pipe that you really like, you’ve got to make sure that it’s in good shape. Pipes actually have to be constructed in a manner that makes them a pleasure to smoke. Knowing what to look for is only half the battle though. Once you know what to look for, it’s remembering to actually look for it! Here’s a list of things to check when inspecting a pipe that you would really like to take home.
- Part Alignment - A quality pipe will have a precision airway from the stem to the draft hole which is located in the bowl. Any disruption in the airway will cause turbulence in the smoke stream and will cause the pipe to smoke wet and probably loudly. Occasionally pipes are designed with a moisture trap that does work very well. It really is a matter of preference but is not recommended for the beginner.
- Fills - When a crack, large hole, or pit is found by the pipe maker it is filled in with putty. These don’t necessarily interfere with the quality of smoke, but rather effect the pipe aesthetically. The putty will note age as gracefully as the rest of the briar and could cause a mottled appearance of the pipe. One last thing to note is that you might not be able to tell just how deep a fill actually is.
- Filters - A metal insert in the stem of the pipe can can cause condensation which will again result in a noisy, wet smoke.
- Finishes - Try to avoid varnished or sealed finishes. These finishes can crack or bubble over time, so it’s best to steer clear.
- Grain - High quality pipes will have a uniform tight grain however this will have no impact on smoking quality.
- Weight - Try to find a pipe that appears lighter than it should. It really comes down to how comfortable the pipe is to smoke.
- Draft Hole - Ideally the draft hole should terminate in the center of the bowl. Steer clear from a pipe where the draft hole is halfway up the bowl.
Price
Pipes are neither expensive or cheap - they’re either good smokes or bad smokes. Find something within your budget that you like and that doesn’t have any major mechanical flaws. Once you get these new pipes broken in you’ll be the happiest pipe smoker in town.
I’ve always wanted to try using a pipe. I’m not sure if it goes well with cigarettes though.
I wish there was a ton of interest in pipe smoking on this blog. Lots of people I talk to say they’ve always wanted to try it, but just never had. I considered running a little contest with a pipe starter kit as the prize. Maybe in few months when google is kind to this site.
Brown Baron: It’s *really* cheap to try out pipe smoking if you’re a newcomer. If you go to a tobacco shop you can get a corn-cob pipe for a few bucks…and not too much more to get some small bags of different blends to try out.
I might suggest a couple of my favorite Dunhill blends: Mixture 965 & Night Cap
I would love a list of different pipe “styles” and why they are called by such names. I’m new to pipe smoking but I have enjoyed every minute of it since starting. could someone please let me know why different pipes are called by different names and why they were given these names.
thanks
ohh sorry you can use my email if you like
anthony.hakala@gmail.com
please no spam
to Nathan:
I found this site from google
. I was trying to see if i could learn how to smoke before i went out and bought a pipe and this guide has definitely taught me everything a beginner could use.
Thanks so much!
P.S.
I was thinking about starting out with captain black white. Is this a good starter or no?
I’ve been smoking/collecting pipes for the better part of 20 years. IMHO, Avoid “drugstore blends” at all costs. Your better off finding a local pipe shop. The staff will be able to guide you to a blend to suit your tastes, and smoking habits. Aromatic Blends tend to smoke, wet when used by a beginner. I would suggest starting with a middle of the road burly or virginia. Or, even a mild english or oriental if you tastes run to that. Always remember. It doesn’t taste like it smells.
I would suggust visithin a tobacco shop where there is a knowledgable person to guide you to a blend that you will enjoy. I have known pipe smokers that gave it up for a time because they based the flavor/experience on a cheap blend rather than “researching”.
When I was a child I remember my mother smoking a pipe. I have always wanted to try it. I used to smoke cigarettes, but have a dictator wanna be hubby who “forbids” it now(even though I smoked when I met him…) I have decided I will try in eventually anyway. ANyone want to offer me advice, popan email over to blue7goddess@yahoo.com
the site is great!!!!!!!
You have done great job here and it did help me a lot for learning the secrets in pipe smoking. i am in my second month of pipe smoking and is getting better and better. I have six pipes, and one of them is an estate one and is the only one with a metalic filter. All the others have the carbon filters wich personally i prefer. The metalic filter makes a very wet smoke to me. My question is am i doing anything wrong here and the smoking is so wet or the anatomy of the pipe is not good? a Additionally should i just remove the metalic filter and smoke it plain? ( I do not inhale the smoke, although I used to smoke hand rolling tobacco fanatically)
really thanx
Get rid of the filter. It serves no real function, but to condense the smoke and make it very wet. also try slowing down. What type of Tobacco are you smoking?
Hi there,
I smoke two aromatics the one is called brebbia it tastes vanillaa nd mango and the other is the white captain black. Now i feel very bored with the vanilla and I will try something else. Anyway, I will remove the filter since this pipe has become my last option for smoking, i smoke it only if there is not any other available!! Any suggestions for tobaccos will be welcomed
thanx again,
cheers
more questions….
i bought a brand new briar pipe which smokes very hot contrary to older ones I own. does that mean that the pipe is not good enough or that it is a new one and so it needs break in?
thanks in advance!
I have been enjoying my pipes for over twenty years. Unfortunately, when I first tried pipe smoking (thanks to my grandfather) I did not have the great resource as with your very informative site to refer too. I basically had to learn by trial and error
. I gave it up the first time due to severe toungue bite (puffing too hard/wet tobacco) and the second time due to not being able to keep the darned thing lit. But I kept at it and have been enjoying my pipes ever since.
I am very glad that you share this knowledge with new smokers so as they can enjoy the pleasures without all the frustrations that many of us had to endure.
Blessings,
Michael Schulz
for buying pipes advice this shop: water-bongs-glass-pipes.com
As a pipe smoker for fifty years I feel obliged to make some comments.
First of all-Never ever fill up and light a hot pipe.
Keep your pipes dry and clean-use a lot of pipecleaners of good quality.
Smoke as slowly as you ever can.
Keep tobacco fresh-usually in the original pack-it will be alright for three or four days.
Have several pipes-use them as seldom as possible.
Do not inhale the smoke-it is stimulating enough just letting the smoke fill your mouth and seep out through your nostrils.
Careful when you put the pipe in your pocket-it is very disagreeable to find yourself on fire and it is bad for the clothes.
Do not alternate with cigarettes-but an occaisional cigar in good company is OK.
Avoid the too spiced tobaccos, but make an effort to find one you like and stick to it.
You can find cheap pipes that are good, but the chance of success is slightly better with an expensive one.
For me there is no alternative to briar.
Thanks for all the good TIPS.. Looks like I found myself a real doozy of a briar pipe in the local shop; The guy actually made it himself; He wanted to try a different shape of the standard briar types your familiar with and actually harnessed it into what looks like a fat bratwurst shape; He said he went to New Dehli in India, and met a local Swami who unfolded this silk blanket to unveil this big beautiful , smooth, gurthy, bratwurst pipe that keeps the shank much cooler when drawing in the tobbaco yet draws much attention to the wandering eye; He said there’s no way about getting around the gurthy bratwurst shape features; He’s tried different remedies, The bratwurst just works the best; He tastefully made the tip into a bulbous shape so as not to offend fellow pipe smokers. He apologized for the fallace shape comparison to a human dong but he said there is just no other way around it. I hope I’m not the only pipesmoker with this particular shaped pipe. Has anyone else seen these New Dehli brat pipes in their local shops? Please let me know.
Dear pipe smoking patron;
I’ve heard rumors about these “Brat pipes” bieng originally made in the northwest part of India, You said you saw one in New Dehli? That’s very fascinating; I’d like to get the guys info about maybe where I can see one or try it on for size; I’m sick the same old Acorn punchouts the other guys are making.. I want somthing BIG , GURTHY and different….I would like to own a bratpipe and experience the smothness that it draws in from a good cavendish blend….Please give me the Brat…I want it to bring the “Wurst” in me….
Hey;
I’ve been a pipe smoker for about six years now. I started with a heavy estate briar pipe made by Ehrlich. Then I obtained about a dozen others within the first year trying to find one that suited the tobacco I had instead the other way round. I recommend for the beginner to go to a tobacco store and buy a dozen or so blends. Aromatic, natural, etc. Corn cob pipes arent a ‘bad’ choice for a first pipe but you will probably out grow it quickly. They are however a good idea when trying new blends so as to not give your briar or meerschaum pipe an unpleasant taste that could require an in depth cleaning to get rid of. Also, practice packing your pipe until it smokes easy and smooth. ALways use natural wood box matches, not the paper ones. Butane lighters will give a negative taste to the tobacco if you have to relight a lot.
Also, stay in tune with the pipe world online. It’s a cheap and very fascinating way to find new blends, pipes, and people to share with. Lastly, take your time ‘puffing’, smoking a pipe is not like a quick cigarette break, it takes patience to reap the ultimate reward, the perfect smoke…