Okay, I think I'm going to try a pipe.

I don't want to spend a bunch of money (read here more that $50).

Is the Dr. Grabow a good brand?

Any suggestions?

I think I want to try a bent one first.

Ehh, I tried a Grabow when I first got into pipes and it was okay, not great, mostly due to the bowl having thin walls and getting too hot for my hand to comfortably hold.  No matter how slowly I smoked, the bowl still usually wound up getting too hot.  If you want a good briar for not too much, take a look at some of the lower priced Savinellis.  Or go to a tobacco shop and take a look at some of their low priced pipes.  My local B&M has a good selection of pipes under 40 dollars, and I'd wager that the majority of them would be better than a Grabow.  

The Grabow I wound up with was also filtered, and that may or may not appeal to you.  Personally, I wanted to start with an unfiltered pipe.  Needless to say, I quickly outgrew that Grabow and picked up a good Savinelli for about 65 bucks.  I've gotten a lot of mileage out of that pipe, and you have the option of smoking it with or without a filter.  

Also, as I've said before, try a corn cob.  They're inexpensive and actually smoke well (IMO).  Plus, they don't require much of a break in period compared to a briar.

Folks here recommend a Missouri Meerchaum as your first pipe.

It's inexpensive to buy ($8-$16), easy to break in, can be used with or without a filter and it's well made.

I suggest you try that one first, with a tin of mild non-aromatic tobacco and some bristle pipe cleaners.   You'll only be out of pocket $25-$30 or so and, if you're like me, you'll still reach for that corn-cob regularly for an enjoyable smoke.

Quotehardeveningsuburb - 8/29/2011  10:49 PM

Ehh, I tried a Grabow when I first got into pipes and it was okay, not great, mostly due to the bowl having thin walls and getting too hot for my hand to comfortably hold.  No matter how slowly I smoked, the bowl still usually wound up getting too hot.  If you want a good briar for not too much, take a look at some of the lower priced Savinellis.  Or go to a tobacco shop and take a look at some of their low priced pipes.  My local B&M has a good selection of pipes under 40 dollars, and I'd wager that the majority of them would be better than a Grabow.  

The Grabow I wound up with was also filtered, and that may or may not appeal to you.  Personally, I wanted to start with an unfiltered pipe.  Needless to say, I quickly outgrew that Grabow and picked up a good Savinelli for about 65 bucks.  I've gotten a lot of mileage out of that pipe, and you have the option of smoking it with or without a filter.  

Also, as I've said before, try a corn cob.  They're inexpensive and actually smoke well (IMO).  Plus, they don't require much of a break in period compared to a briar.

I'm certainly no expert, as I've asked some similar questions of late, but I would agree that your local B&M is a good place to start, and even more importantly I agree about the corncob pipes.  I've had those around for years and they're very forgiving, and easy to learn on.  

I agree with ROTHNH, a corn cob is fantastic. there is little to no break in. From what I understand, when tasting new tobacco blends, the pipe folks use corn cobs. It is best to stick with the Missouri Meerschaum brand as the others are cheap (they are already cheap, not sure if you could go cheaper) Chinese knock offs. My personal fav is the Country Gentleman.

For a briar, a Savinelli or Peterson are good bets, although your budget may need a slight boost from $50 ($70 or more) for a new pipe. Getting a good estate pipe is a crap shoot unless you know where it comes from IMO.

You can't go wrong with a corn cob.  

Grabow all the way
Let me look around and if I have one I havent used yet, you can have it

Im at work now but I will check when I get home in the morn. And pm you

My first pipe was/is a basket pipe from the Czech republic. You can find a pretty decent one for about $20-$35 at most B&Ms. It smokes pretty well, but I'm still breaking it in. The nice thing about it is if I crack the pipe, scorch the briar etc. then I'm not out a lot of money. I figure once I get the hang of it then maybe I'll upgrade to a nicer pipe but for now it works perfectly.

QuoteROTHNH - 8/29/2011  9:54 PM

Folks here recommend a Missouri Meerchaum as your first pipe.

It's inexpensive to buy ($8-$16), easy to break in, can be used with or without a filter and it's well made.

I suggest you try that one first, with a tin of mild non-aromatic tobacco and some bristle pipe cleaners.   You'll only be out of pocket $25-$30 or so and, if you're like me, you'll still reach for that corn-cob regularly for an enjoyable smoke.

I'm planning on doing just this in a few days.  I just got a check I wasn't expecting, so I might as well blow it up in smoke!!!  I've been smoking my corn cob more and more as of late, so I figure I should upgrade the pipe a bit and get some quality tobacco.  I plan on adding a few sticks to the ol' humi too.  The Meerchaum site referenced in one of the pipe threads had an awesome selection for a good price.  

Quotevw77guy - 8/30/2011  5:34 AM

... I figure I should upgrade the pipe a bit and get some quality tobacco.  I plan on adding a few sticks to the ol' humi too.  The Meerchaum site referenced in one of the pipe threads had an awesome selection for a good price.  

Meerchaums are nice.  A couple things you may or may not be aware of ...

*Meerchaums are fragile and they can more easily break (usually near the stem) when dropped -- much less rugged than briars or corn cobs.  

*Be careful not to overheat the Meerchaum ... letting it get back to room temp for a while after cleaning it and before smoking it again is recommended.

* Artistic sculptured designs and lattice work are cool, but I suggest you start with a Meerchaum with a smooth finish and a simple classic design.  It's a personal preference but I always though my latticed meerchaum got uglier and dirty looking over time compared to the clean, smooth, even creaminess of a classic smooth finished pipe.

* Shop patiently.  Most Meerchaums come from the same area in the Mediterranean.  I've seek price variations of 50% or more on the exact same pipe.

* Go with a recommended vendor.  While unlikely, I have seen pipes purported to be 100% Meerchaum that are not.

Enjoy your new pipe! :)

Quotehardeveningsuburb - 8/29/2011  8:49 PM

Ehh, I tried a Grabow when I first got into pipes and it was okay, not great, mostly due to the bowl having thin walls and getting too hot for my hand to comfortably hold.  No matter how slowly I smoked, the bowl still usually wound up getting too hot.  If you want a good briar for not too much, take a look at some of the lower priced Savinellis.  Or go to a tobacco shop and take a look at some of their low priced pipes.  My local B&M has a good selection of pipes under 40 dollars, and I'd wager that the majority of them would be better than a Grabow.  

The Grabow I wound up with was also filtered, and that may or may not appeal to you.  Personally, I wanted to start with an unfiltered pipe.  Needless to say, I quickly outgrew that Grabow and picked up a good Savinelli for about 65 bucks.  I've gotten a lot of mileage out of that pipe, and you have the option of smoking it with or without a filter.  

Also, as I've said before, try a corn cob.  They're inexpensive and actually smoke well (IMO).  Plus, they don't require much of a break in period compared to a briar.

what he said... a missouri meerschaum is a fine pipe, especially for starting out with. i'd personally stay away from the grabows and such.

Grabow's are decent enough, but get one with a bent stem and toss the filter.  You don't own a cigar filter do you?    The bent stem works as a trap and will catch any moisture.  If the bit starts to get too wet, run a pipe cleaner down it.  Fold the pipe cleaner in half if the bore is big enough.  I let someone else make the rude comments ...

I have not smoked a cob before, but having watched the threads here for a while, I have never heard anyone say they were a bad pipe.  For the price, I would consider starting with a cob to see if a pipe is for you at all.  If you decide you like the idea in general, then spend more.  

My father and I smoke Peterson pipes, and I can't say enough about them ... they are fantastic and well worth the few extra bucks.  I recommend pretty much anything they make that has a curved stem and the p-lip system. My 312 has the p-lip, and it I love it - as much as one can love a pipe anyway.     smokingpipes.com has a pretty large selection to choose from, and their prices are certainly acceptable.

QuoteROTHNH - 8/29/2011  10:54 PM

...and, if you're like me, you'll still reach for that corn-cob regularly for an enjoyable smoke.

When I reach for the corn-cob, people get nervous.


 



 

Quotecmmayo - 8/30/2011  10:57 PM

QuoteROTHNH - 8/29/2011  10:54 PM

...and, if you're like me, you'll still reach for that corn-cob regularly for an enjoyable smoke.

When I reach for the corn-cob, people get nervous.


 



 

People get nervous when you do a lot of things Corey...