Well, the guy's that I would refer You to, have already Spoken. Tedski, Sgresso, Vipe all have good and far more extensive backgrounds in the field. Plus, Hakan definately knows His way around the Ol'Bowl Hisself! But, as a relatively new piper I have a few observations about pipes for new smokers.
#1) Pipes are a completely different disipline from Cigars. They are not comparable really.
#2) Lot's of opinion floating around about "How one looks" Pipe smokers as a rule are not concerned with that too much. If You are Young There is the possibility LEO's might be curious about Your "Vintage". Posers stand out real fast, because they cannot handle the pipe properly. You decide that piont. I smoke 90% of the time at home. Because the Pipe experience for me is A Soothing and Quiet time. Reading a book, on the E-net or watching sports or out in the back Yard. It is an easy going pace, usually sitting and sipping.
#3) Tons of options and very few restrictions on Pipes themselves or the most desired Tobaccos. If You are bored by Pipes....You ain't Payin Attention!
#4) Myth, I gotta buy a $500 dollar pipe first. False! I just talked with our Brothers whom are Bilingual with Tobacco Genres. Everyone took time and effort to coach me and still do. A couple of them even set me up with starter Pipes and samplers for extremely reasonable prices. One Brother Totally Blew Me Away with His Generocity! (I mean WOW!) Start small with decent quality pipes. Two is a good idea because You do want to rest them. Lots of Quality Bros here to help.Can it get expensive? You bet Your Arse it can! Again You decide Your own level of indulgement. Another point made was...once You have a selection of tobacco it's insanely economical. Say You buy a $15 dollar tin of primo tabacco. The same $ in cigars is one maybe two cigars? You get 10 to 20 bowls of pleasure out of that and if You get a little bulk? Paleese, I have converted a cooler-Dor to Pipe tabac and I could smoke a year on what's in it! Plus, like cigars it gets better with age!
#4) Aromatics vs non-aromatics: Personal preference here. Same is true of mild or Full body tobaccos. I'm still trying everything I can get my hands on! A note on the Aromatics that was touched on above. "Sweet Smelling" Aromatics Smell sweet but often the smokers flavor is much less sweet. What My GF Adores the smell of, is only so-so to me. But, if I smoke a bowl of that every so often, She almost never complains about the others. So, sometimes You apease the masses like at a cook out. Very many smoking Nazi's start to jump on tables when You light a cigar. I've have far fewer complaints about a pipe. I've even had people seek me out because of it. Who doesn't have a fond memory of a Grandfather or Uncle or Dad smoking a pipe way back when? Women are quick to respond to that, if they had such a figure in their life. I'm not talking about dating, simply a very pleasent experience instead of a "Put that nasty thing out!" attitude like with cigs or cigars. I actually had a woman chase off a Smoke Nazi, For me! She told the complaining lady to "Stick Her busybody nose somewhere else", I was Shocked! So, I plan sweet smelling stuff when among Heathens.
#5) Give it a fair shake. It takes some time to get good at packing a bowl and judging what works for You. I tried 5 times before I got a bowl to burn proper. Then it all comes together. Just don't rush it, it's an very enjoyable experience....The first Learning.
Pipes are a Great Adventure I can reccomend Highly. Good Luck and Good Puffing!
Slack
