Taken the plunge...

[butternutsquashpie]

I do agree Jizza, but it's certainly important to experiment and find the right balance for your own tastes!

much like those rules of cigars, eh?

[ValeTudoGuy]

much like those rules of cigars, eh?

Yipadedoo!

[Tucky]

Well I was hoping to try it tonight but since I've not finished my covered patio yet and it's chucking it down I'll settle down by the fire instead.

[Tucky]

Hey guys
Quick question but how does the shape and size of a pipe effect the taste. Is it similar to cigars where a smaller ring gauge tents to burn hotter and harsher If your not careful.i just have a cheap cob at the moment. Does this effect the flavour compaired to a wider briar?

[butternutsquashpie]

i've actually found more tongue bite when using larger bowled pipes
flavours are relatively the same, actually... but smaller pipes i find harder to keep lit........

[ValeTudoGuy]

I find stem design, straight or bent stem (bent is better for tobacco that can have a tendency to gurgle. IMO) and long or short (longer is better for hot smoking leaf IMO.) has a more profound effect on smoking than the rest of the pipe.

For a pipe I look at
A: Bowl Size (will it hold how much or as little as I wanna smoke?)
B: Shape (does it feel good in the hand?) - Apples tend to feel best in my hand, though I am a free standing pipe convert.

Don't forget that you could have two different looking pipes with identical internals, they should smoke the same.

[EdBlackadder]

So if I was considering this jump, anyone have any beginners suggestions re: pipes and tobacco?

[Tucky]

I'd certainly recommend dunhills early morning pipe and a cob for a relatively cheap start. If your already used to cigars the EMP is flavourful enough without being a massive shock and the cob is only ?7 if you don't like it or wreck it.