The other day I received my free calendar from PipesandCigars.com, but unfortunately due to the high amount of orders I didn't receive the free cigar. Instead I received a coupon code for 10% off on any purchase before 1/31/12. So with the 10% off in hand, and sales on a lot of their pipes I've decided I'm going to purchase a new pipe. I've been smoking my pipe recently, and have been really enjoying it, so I figured a new good quality pipe will help me save some money as pipe tobacco is way cheaper than cigars. Especially with the cost of cigars going up I think I'll be smoking my pipe on a much more regular basis.

Here is what I'm thinking about buying (only 1):

http://pipesandcigars.com/satrpiru616e.html

http://pipesandcigars.com/satrpiru320b.html

http://pipesandcigars.com/satepiru320b.html

http://pipesandcigars.com/sapdisppiru62.html


Any good recommendations on pipe tobacco? I like the sweet aromatics. I recently finished off my Lane Limited 1-Q, and currently have some Lane Limited Captain Black. I like both of these, so any recommendations similar to these would be great.

The second choice really appeals to me for some reason. I have been smoking my MM cob from time to time but I am waiting for warmer and much less windy weather to break in my new Rigoletto bent rhodesian churchwarden. It is sooo awesome.  

I wish I could recommend some baccy for you Bryan but I am really new to the pipe game. Kyle and Armin come to mind when you mention pipes and I am sure they and many others will have more to contribute. Good luck and be sure to let us know how your experiences pan out!

I honestly don't like your choices. It's mostly a matter of personal taste, of course. Briar pipes can be very beautiful, but they smoke very hot IMO and I've switched to meerschaum. I've chosen some briars I think are pretty and two examples of meerschaums that are reasonably priced.

http://store.pipesandcigars.com/cavipipot1.html

http://store.pipesandcigars.com/bjcolipiap.html

http://store.pipesandcigars.com/bjviclmapieg1.html

http://pipesandcigars.com/mepibabi.html

http://pipesandcigars.com/mepihawibo.html

Thanks for the input. I'm not a fan of the Meerschaum's. I'm sure they smoke well, but I want something that I can admire and the Meerschaums just don't do it for me.

Those all look interesting. The only briars I have experience with are Peterson pipes. I have the 312 model, which has the p-lip stem (helps keep moisture and tar out of the mouth). One suggestion is to make sure the walls of the bowl are fairly thick. A lot of heat can be generated, and you want the wood to be thick enough so it doesn't all transfer directly to your hand. Otherwise, the shape of bowl and stem is a matter of personal preference - usually dictated by how you hold the stem in your teeth and what angle the bowl ends up at. Your first link would probably work well for me, but everyone  is different, and what is comfortable for one person might not work for others.

As for tobacco, I tend to go for the flavored Cavendish blends from McClelland. If you have been following the pipe threads, you will already know that most Virginia blends require significant age before they mellow out. Kyle and others sing the praises of Gawith tobaccos, and I would trust their judgment. I intend to pick up a tin of Gawith Rum or Black Cherry once I have burned more of my current inventory.

Quotemetalhead y cigarguy - 1/23/2012  3:09 AM

Thanks for the input. I'm not a fan of the Meerschaum's. I'm sure they smoke well, but I want something that I can admire and the Meerschaums just don't do it for me.

I like the first and fourth, not a big fan of the ball shape

Of the 4 I'm looking at they all seem to have thick walls. I've seen some YouTube clips of the first 3 and they seem to get good reviews.

Thanks for the info on the tobacco.

Since you are enjoying a sweeter aeromatic I would definately suggest HPSC Bulk Trout Stream,
one of only a handfull of aros that I can smoke. Not a gloopy aero and is made with quality tobacco and
hase flavor from start to finish, rarely get tongue bit from it unless you herf to hard on it.
The GF says the room note is like fresh baked sugar cookies of oatmeal skotchies. Nice butterscotch
flavor with hints of vanilla.

http://pipesandcigars.com/troutstream.html

MacBaren Vanilla Cream is another good aero. I prefer it in the flake form to me it produces a little better flavor.
But if you don't want to mess with flakes so early in the game the Loose Cut is still a good smoke.
With MacBaren tobacco some people get terrible tongue bite from it and some don't.

http://pipesandcigars.com/macvancream.html
http://pipesandcigars.com/mavacrflcut5.html

Villiger 1888 Mid-Day is another one I enjoy, however it looks like it out of stock right now.

http://pipesandcigars.com/vi18mipito5t.html

Thick walls are good, but don't forget other useful characteristics, like good drainage, so liquids don't spill in your mouth or require frequent openings of the stem to dry the condenser. I prefer filters to solve that. There's also something to be said for a long stem to give the smoke time to cool off.

About 40 years ago I saved up and bought a beautiful Danish hand-carved work of art. The smoke from it though was HOT and RAW and I wound up with a pipe only good for showing off. My tongue was burnt all the time. Don't let vanity overwhelm your better judgement. Buying a pipe is like getting married. There's more to a wife than nice tits, if you catch my drift. You'll want a pipe you can come back to again and again.

I had a few briar pipes that fit that description more or less, but finding them was hit and miss. Good luck!

QuoteBuying a pipe is like getting married. There's more to a wife than nice tits, if you catch my drift. You'll want a pipe you can come back to again and again.

I get what you're saying, but the nice a pair of tits tend to make you forget about the other issues, and in the end I'm still going to smoke it.    We're talking about pipes still right?

Bryan I really liked your fourth choice.  As for tobaccos, I can't reccommend much other than to say that trial and error is probably the best approach.  I've been on a big Virginia flake kick lately, but that's just me.  

I am not an avid pipe smoker, so im not sure about the function. However based upon looks i thought 1 or 4 was the best.

After much deliberation and complete undecisiveness, I finally made a decision and made my new pipe purchase this evening. The pipe I decided on was the initial pipe I picked, but after browsing through all the different pipes and makers it was a hard choice. Oh well, I marked the others I liked as favorites to look at in the future for possible purchase.

http://pipesandcigars.com/satrpiru616e.html

I was going to use the coupon code I received to save some money on the pipe, but with the Free Friday Freight promotion I was unable to use the coupon, but the free
shipping actually saved me an extra dollar on my purchase compared to the coupon.

I also picked up some pipe tips to protect the stem, a stand, some more cleaners and
some extra filters. I tried to get some Trout & Stream tobacco but it said it couldn't ship it to my location I thought that was weird. Oh well, I'm excited to get this new pipe.

great looking pipe!  Should serve you well.  do a little research on proper break in, that will help you get the most out of your pipe.

here are some tobacco recommendations:

Scotty's Butternut Burley;   http://pipesandcigars.com/butburbykuro.html

or this place has a ton of good aromatics;  http://www.boswellpipes.com/

and here is a pipe tobacco review site that is a good resource:  http://www.tobaccoreviews.com/browse_all.cfm

I haven't yet invested in a pipe but when I do get around to it I'm gonna get one of them corn cob types. Now a question for your pipe types...

I know pipe tobacco benefits from aging. Does that tobacco that comes in the sealed cans age while it's sealed or do you have to bust the can open? Reason I ask is a got that free can of tobacco from that deal several months ago and haven't opened it yet.

QuoteAlphairon - 1/27/2012  6:24 AM
I know pipe tobacco benefits from aging. Does that tobacco that comes in the sealed cans age while it's sealed or do you have to bust the can open? Reason I ask is a got that free can of tobacco from that deal several months ago and haven't opened it yet.

IIRC, a lot of people "cellar" their tins of tobacco by storing them, sealed, in a cool place.

Quotenwb - 1/29/2012  5:50 PM

QuoteAlphairon - 1/27/2012  6:24 AM
I know pipe tobacco benefits from aging. Does that tobacco that comes in the sealed cans age while it's sealed or do you have to bust the can open? Reason I ask is a got that free can of tobacco from that deal several months ago and haven't opened it yet.

IIRC, a lot of people "cellar" their tins of tobacco by storing them, sealed, in a cool place.

thats right... just leave it sealed up in the tin and let the magic happen. here is a good article on aging pipe baccy: http://glpease.com/BriarAndLeaf/?p=65#more-65

My new pipe finally arrived today. It was delayed because apparently it's illegal for companies/distributors to ship pipe tobacco to Washington State. Though I didn't have any in my order it still went into pending status. While my order sat in pending status the black Savinelli Trevi pipe went into out of stock status and was no longer available when PipesandCigars called to discuss my order. As a replacement I chose this one:

http://pipesandcigars.com/sashpiru645a.html

When I went to place my order this is the one I was looking at but it said it wasn't available, so that's why I went with the Trevi pipe. However, while talking with the gal at customer service I asked about this pipe so she went to check the status. She said she had some available and added this to my order at the same price as the Trevi pipe. It took an extra week to get my order, but I'm happy with the pipe I received.

I'm looking forward to trying this one out.