Same pipes are always a firstMy first pipe was a Missouri meerschaum I got in the pipe newbie trade some time last year. At the time I was just getting into cigars but with winter coming up I didn't want to be stuck outside for 2 hours in the cold. I had decided to give a pipe a try an have been hooked ever since. It's been awhile since I have smoked a cigar cause I always go for one of my pipes first.
Yea I have been following him for a few years. Never met him in person but I hear great things about himMy first pipe was a gift from Mike Lancaster of Tobacco Pipe Collectors. I had smoked cigars for about 25 years but was curious about pipes. I contacted Mike and we had lengthy discussions about pipe smoking. He gifted me the Calabresi bent billiard pictured above 65 weeks ago. I cut my teeth on this pipe and it took the clumsy abuse I imparted on it with grace. With his continued tutelage, I have totally become a pipe enthusiast. I still smoke cigars but pipe smoking is my go to choice these days. Check out Mike's website at Tobacco Pipe Collectors. He's a stand up guy and I am blessed to have his continued guidance.
My 3rd pipe was a big Ben Barbados and it was a great smoking pipeI got my first two pipes at the same time - MM cob and a Cambridge from Big Ben. Both were part of my N00b trade a couple of years ago. The first pipe the *I* bought was an estate Dr. Grabow for $2 so that I could start to learn the restoration process.
I have about 30 pipes now, a combination of cobs, briars, cherrywood, and meerschaum. I still smoke that first cob and the Big Ben on a fairly regular basis ("regular basis" for me, anyway)
Same story same Tinder Box in South Bend. One out of the bargain basket sitting on the counter. My father broke his daily smoker so I loaned him mine. Its still part of his collection. It has probably burned 100's of bowls of borkum riff by now.I don't remember what my first pipe was, but it was 22 years ago in college. Bought it at the Tinder Box in South Bend, Indiana. I smoked a delicious cherry blend...only way too fast as I recall. Always ended up burning my tongue. See, I was all about appearances then -- not the actual smoking experience. Wish I still had that sucker!