So I picked up smoking pipe about two years ago. I was always against smoking and to this day have not had a cigarette to my lips, but this was something I was willing to try as a hobby. A buddy on the ship had some pipe tobacco with him one day and it was such an amazing, aromatic temptation that I decided to give it a shot. At first I told myself 'It's all natural, has less nicotine, is less bad for you blah blah blah. . . . ' but let's face it, the difference (if any) is nominal. Doesn't matter, I enjoy it. It's a good way to crash 30 minutes of watch when stuck on duty. Plus the stuff is stupid cheap, $30 of various tobaccos lasted me a 9-month deployment. The cancer stick guys were smoking that much a week.

Anyways, I have always used cheap corn cob pipes that only last a couple of months. For Christmas my wife decided to get me this baller status hand-carved briarwood pipe. It only came with a little velvet case, and none of the leather ones available fit it properly (it has a huge bowl). So I took it upon myself to modify one of the skunk2 boxes I had laying around (the one from her shift knob specifically) to be a full grab-n-go pipe kit. It has slots for the pipe, stem, scraper, pipe cleaners, my zippo of the week (this one is from Dubai, I collected one from every port), and a little stash for tobacco.

Any other pipe users here? Whatcha smokin? Stanwell Vanilla for me today.

 

I consider myself a cigar smoker. I've tried to get into pipe tobacco use at 2 times because, as you stated, it is less expensive once you get a pipe/pipes etc. The 1st attempt for me was in 2003/2004. I got a meerschaum pipe & who knows what mixes of English tobacco, but I didn't find it as fun as smoking a cigar. Another push was made in 2012. I expanded the pipe collection, got new tins of tobacco, etc. It, however, became apparent that I pretty much am allergic to pipe tobacco after the 1st couple of trys. I call the culprit as being Virginia. Since there is ultimately some form of Virginia in any blend whether it is an Aromatic or English the end result is tongue bite that usually lasts for a week or more. I've even tried cigar "blends" but even they have some inkling of Virginia laced in them. I've bought endless amounts of blends, practiced with my rhythm trying not to go too fast, etc. The end result is the same. It's like I took a TV dinner out of the microwave & and immediately ate it thus burning the living shit out of my tongue & the roof of my mouth. It sucks too, as I really like to look at pipes, etc.


This is a really neat place that I've bought from & still like to visit just to look. They have a ton of stuff.



http://www.smokingpipes.com/

 

Thanks for the site, they have some awesome pipes (with some awesome price tags!)

They also carry the Borkum Riff that my local tobacco shop does not, so I may well be ordering it from them from now on.

 

I smoke Marlboro or Old Holborn tobacco (rollies-blue rizzla- BLUE not sky blue!) but never got into pipes.
Tried a couple of times but it is just a hassle for me. For example, I do smoke quite a few ciggies in the morning with my coffee driving to work (or shall I say, being stuck in the traffic to work?)

I can drive and smoke at the same time, something that I can envisage doing whilst holding a pipe.
And yes, I can drive (up to 60 mph on a motorway and slow lane before you flame me!) and roll at the same time as well!

 

I gather you're in the Navy. Please explain.

 

I tried pipe smoking ages ago, but found packing and constant relighting to be a pain. Cigars to me were always more pleasurable, flavorful, and better company to coffee or whiskey. The aroma from pipe tobacco, however, can't be beat. When I gave up on smoking it, i used the leftover tobacco as potpourri.

 

I was a pipe smoker for a little over 5 years in my twenties. Still have the nice collection of pipes, some meerschaum. As you know by now, the more a pipe is smoked, the better it gets. Some of the meerschaums became a beautiful golden/dark brown. I have a few that became my favorite; just that right combination of draw, temperature, and feel in the hand.

I gave it up as it just did not fit with my occupation (literally) of flying Navy jets around. What is the old saw? A pipe is for a guy who works, a cigar is for a man of leisure.

All I do now is an occasional nice cigar. It so much easier to get something decent. My favorite is Partagas #7. I am aware of the cancer issues particularly of the throat and mouth. Funny. Have not thought much about the pipe recently; maybe I will have to get a fresh pouch!

 

True story, I'm on the USS Bataan out of norfolk. Just hit my three year mark. Machinists's mate second class.

 

Just cigars here.....

 

We do have a thread for cigar smokers. . . with your paid membership. https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/810153-cigars-thread/