My excited little face

[Simon_B]

Hi everyone!

I went down the rabbit hole on YouTube a couple of weeks ago, and found myself watching pipe smoking videos. It looked a hell of a lot of fun, and I developed a niggle in the back of my mind that I had to try it.

Well, fast forward a couple of weeks, and I've given in! I ordered a corn cob pipe, a little Parker billiard, and some sample aromatic tobaccos from GQ. I'm hoping to try them out this weekend. I was thinking I'd start with the corn cob pipe in case I do something stupid with the Parker, or ghost it with something that turns out to be abominable.... *glances nervously at the sample blend with Latakia in it*

I have pretty much no idea what I'm doing, but I'm sure it will all become clear! I have my little pipe tool ready, and I'll watch some more videos on bowl packing. Anyway, I'm ridiculously excited! Being a grown up is excellent, sometimes!!

pipe3.jpg

[Harvey Spectre]

Nice little starting point Simon_B.

I've never smoked a pipe but do have fond memories as a child visiting an Uncle who smoked one and the smell was amazing (from the pipe .... not the Uncle!).

Looking forward to hearing how you get on.

Harvey

[Greg]

I started with the pipe, most of the surrounding people enjoys much more the pipe than the cigars... no doubt about it.
Normally if I am inside home with the family I prefer the pipe, that way I dont have to visit the couch


One of the most important things is not to overheat the pipe, and let it rest from one day to another, so one bowl per day only will keep your pipes for dozens of years.

Welcome to the pipe world.

[the pondering moose]

It begins!

I hope you enjoy the experience. Pipes have many things to commend them, not least the glorious smell of pipe tobacco.

[oskihen]

Well done Simon, the oldest and purist form of tobacco smoking. It'll be a long learning experience but we'll worth it in the end.

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[handlebarpipe]

Enjoy your pipe smoking journey.
Marc

[smokey joe]

Good work Simon [emoji106] I started pipe smoking recently myself. I'm sure you've seen it but in case not get on www.tobaccoreviews.com

[Tom Major]

There is no turning back now Enjoy.

[TJCoro]

Pipe Down!

No doubt you'll enjoy your new hab...umm, hobby, Simon_B.

I actually smoked a pipe long before I discovered cigars. It was during a time when gentlemen smoked pipes and wore leather elbow patches on their blazers!



The UKCF has a fairly healthy Pipe Forum, so you should have no problem getting started.

Enjoy, dude!

Ricky Bobby

[Paulie2876]

Good choice for starting out

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[the pondering moose]

when gentlemen smoked pipes and wore leather elbow patches on their blazers!

I knew I was missing something from the pipe smoking experience. Will need some elbow patches! Surely they'll improve the flavour or something... :-D

[Simon_B]

Thanks for the encouragement, guys!

Tried my first couple of bowls today. Not bowled over (pardon the pun - I hate myself) by the Gawith New Prince or American Black Cherry - to be honest, my knackered palate couldn't really detect much going on... but I thoroughly enjoyed the J F Germains Plum Cake. Some lovely, dark dried fruity notes.

I will persevere!

The elbow patches are on order. 3 for the price of 2. Bargain.

[the pondering moose]

I going to get my arm patches in plug not flake form, then I can cut them to order!

I found starting pipe smoking after cigar smoking, that there are way more subtle flavour and scent things going on. It takes a while to get into the groove, but is really worth it. The New Prince and Black Cherry may well be nice on a re-visit.

I want to try the plum cake. I presume its a bit like smoking a fruitcake?

[kitobi]

keep at it Simon, I read some reviews while smoking the same blends and I wonder where the hell they get their flavours from, akin to " pebbles in the rain" from wine tasters.
after a while you do notice slight differences but I'm still in the same boat looking for my nirvana also

there are some really nice blends out there, and soon the highly flavoured Christmas special blends will go on sale I highly recommend you try one

[Rev Rob]

I love a pipe every now and then I have a lovely Churchwarden Pipe (think of Gandalf from Lord of The rings or the Hobbits who tend to favour this style) I was lucky in a friend of mine on a recent trip to the USA brought back two tins of Sutliff Private Stock one tin of Kentucky Planter and one of Charlamagne.

If you can get it I would go for it, while the Kentucky Planter is nice the Charlamagne is just a superb bowl to smoke the closest UK equivalent is the American Ultimum used to be Optimum I believe (which is also very nice) but the Charlamagne blows that out of the water, I dont smoke my Pipe often while I find a Cigar is for relaxing a Pipe is the ultimate Sunny Autumn late afternoon early evening relaxation experience.

But if you can get any of the Sutliff Private stock range give it a whirl but Charlamagne is a must try bowl just superb.