Pipe smoking is one of those things that looks incredibly simple from the outside, but quickly becomes more complex as you dig into it. It’s easy to become overwhelmed with the vast selection of pipes and tobaccos available today, so I want to break it down simply.
Choosing Your First Pipe
In the pipe world, we call used pipes “estate pipes.” These are previously owned pipes that have been cleaned up and listed for resale. This is often a more affordable option than buying a brand new briar pipe, though prices vary with condition. I personally wouldn’t recommend going this route for your very first pipe unless you can find one that looks too good to pass up.
I also wouldn’t generally recommend investing in a brand new briar pipe on your very first purchase. With factory made briar pipes selling for upwards of $150, this can be an expensive way to learn you don’t like a particular shape/size. If you’re like me and you really like the thought of having a brand new unsmoked pipe, Rossi pipes are a great option. Rossi is owned by Savinelli. These pipes were intended to be Savinellis but couldn’t quite meet their rigorous criteria. These pipes may have slight imperfections here and there but they’re an overall excellent choice, often around half the cost of a Savinelli.
The most affordable option, and my overall recommendation, is the corncob. These pipes offer a smoking experience that rivals, and sometimes bests, that of their briar counterparts. These pipes are typically more suited to aromatics and other tobacco blends with high moisture content. They’re also more suited to sampling multiple different blends because they don’t retain flavor like a briar. This is ideal for someone who wants to explore different blends, getting a feel for what they like. Requiring no break-in period, they’re far more accessible. All for a fraction of the cost of a new briar. These pipes are low cost, easy to get started with, and great for trying different blends. For all those reasons, they’re my top pick for a new smoker.
Choosing Your First Pipe Tobacco
Like pipes, pipe tobacco varies widely in cost and quality. There are a number of factors to consider when choosing a blend: moisture, nicotine, flavor, and room note (smell, but fancier). I personally recommend Captain Black to any new smoker. This is an aromatic blend, meaning it has a gentle flavor and a sweet room note. It also has a relatively low nicotine content. It’s got a little higher moisture content due to the casings and toppings typically used for aromatics, but that won’t be an issue if you’re using a corncob. It’s a very affordable tobacco blend, right around $9.50 for a 1.5 oz bag.
My one exception is for people who are coming off cigarettes or chewing tobacco. I dipped long cut before my wife and I were married, and she rightly was not a fan. By God’s grace we were married young, and I was able to slowly transition to smoking a pipe. The very first blend I ever purchased was Kendal Kentucky from Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. I went on smokingpipes.com and found the tobacco with the highest nicotine content I could. This pipe tobacco has a freight train nicotine hit with a full, smokey flavor. It helped me tremendously as I was making the move from long cut to pipe tobacco.
Tools & Accessories
Finally, you’ll need a pipe tool and a small bag of pipe cleaners. The most popular pipe tool on the market, and my personal favorite, is the Czech Tool. This classic pipe tool comes with a pick, a scoop, and a tamper, all in one tool. Genuine Czech tools are pretty easy to spot because they’re made in the Czech Republic. They’re high quality and easy to use. Savinelli’s Coin Pipe Companion follows the same design. There are quite a few types of pipe tools, so find one that looks comfortable for you. Your pipe tool will be your best friend when smoking, and immediately after. Your tamper will be utilized during the smoke to compress, and even out the tobacco for a cleaner burn. After your smoke, your pick and shovel can be used to clean the pipe by gently scooping out the ash and loose leaves at the bottom of the bowl. Then you can run a few pipe cleaners from the mouthpiece into the bowl, until they come out clean.
Bottom Line
If you’re interested in pipe smoking but don’t know where to start, or if you’re on a budget, I recommend starting off with a corncob pipe and a small bag of Captain Black. Get yourself a tamper and a couple of pipe cleaners, and you’re good to go. You don’t have to take my advice; I didn’t even take my advice. I started with a briar (gifted) and Dark Fire Kentucky. But this recommended set-up is affordable and accessible. Since I’m a small operation I’ve linked a few of my favorite pipes and tobacco websites below. If you buy a cob, I’d be honored if it were one of mine. Otherwise, here are a few trusted resources.
Daniel, Owner
Plymouth Rock Tobacco Co.
Soli Deo Gloria
Smoking Pipes: https://www.smokingpipes.com
The Pipe Nook: https://thepipenook.com
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