Hello from the UK!

[AutumnGold]

Good morning everyone, and thanks for having me on the forum.
I'm not yet a pipe smoker but am preparing to be so (more of that later). There's quite a bit to learn!
For the time being I'm reading, watching and absorbing all that I can, and really looking forward to getting started.

Thanks again, and best wishes.

 

[UkuleleDude67]

Welcome From Tupelo Ms

 

[Singed]

Welcome! Explore the site thoroughly and be sure to look at "What are you smoking?" It's the closest thing we have to a chat. From...

 

[Pippin Took]

Hello and welcome. I was in the same position for a long time. I was interested in pipe smoking for a while before I finally decided to give it a try. Alot of good info here from knowledgeable pipesmen.

 

[Balisong]

Welcome to the group!

Here's an excerpt from the pipedia.org page "Corn Cob Primer"
https://pipedia.org/wiki/The_Complete_Corncob_primer
The whole section is worth a read. Cobs are the cheapest way to start your journey and are readily available.

After 53 years, I still use my dad's way of doing things. I don't fool with a false/charring light, but simply light it and start smoking.

• Dry your tobacco more than you think you need to.
• Pack it looser than you think you need to.
• Smoke it slower than you think you need to.
• Tamp it less, and more lightly, than you think you need to.
• Clean your pipes after every smoke, using pipe spirits of some sort.
• Don’t worry if you have a few relights.
• And realize that becoming an accomplished pipe smoker will take time, patience, and trial and error.

The page was written by John Patton aka tiltjlp.

 

[AutumnGold]

Thanks for all the greetings and advice so far. Here's a little info about me, my background and a plan I have to move forward.

I'm 43 years old and, from the ages of 15-30, was a hand-rolled cigarette smoker, giving it up a few months after turning 30. However, I've always been drawn to the gentle art of pipe smoking.

I'm a nostalgist, and always have been. Although I have my literary pipe influences as, I suspect, do many of you, the main draw for me is the fact that piping speaks of an older time, a time when life was slower, more contemplative and we generally had more time to appreciate the finer things in life. It speaks, too, of craftsmanship - the beautiful turned wood of a well-made pipe is a thing of true beauty to behold.

As a writer, and a fisherman, pipe-smoking is a perfect fit for me, and an excellent counterbalance to a busy, fast-paced working life as a senior teacher in a comprehensive school (or high school in the States), so I'm very much looking forward to it.

My daughter is currently preparing for exams and will be moving away to university in October, so all my attention will be on that for the next few months. When she's settled in, I'll likely start my pipe journey. I imagine this will be in the spring as I won't be able to smoke in the house. Neither my wife nor I ever did so even when we were cigarette smokers.

I've bought the necessary lighters and tools etc. along with a new corn cob, with which I'll smoke aromatics, and a secondhand block meerschaum, with which I'll smoke the English blends. I'll work my way through tobaccos that catch my eye. Any that I particularly enjoy will be bought in duplicate and cellared in some drawers in my study. I won't need a huge cellar as I'll likely only smoke one bowl in the evening with a couple more per day when term is ended.

As I progress, I will save up and buy good quality pipes from the notable manufacturers, alternating purchases between pipes for aromatics and pipes for English blends.

How does this sound as a plan?

 

[Eutychus]

Welcome from the Bluegrass State! You'll find this to be a friendly and helpful community.

 

[Pippin Took]

Thanks for all the greetings and advice so far. Here's a little info about me, my background and a plan I have to move forward.

I'm 43 years old and, from the ages of 15-30, was a hand-rolled cigarette smoker, giving it up a few months after turning 30. However, I've always been drawn to the gentle art of pipe smoking.

I'm a nostalgist, and always have been. Although I have my literary pipe influences as, I suspect, do many of you, the main draw for me is the fact that piping speaks of an older time, a time when life was slower, more contemplative and we generally had more time to appreciate the finer things in life. It speaks, too, of craftsmanship - the beautiful turned wood of a well-made pipe is a thing of true beauty to behold.

As a writer, and a fisherman, pipe-smoking is a perfect fit for me, and an excellent counterbalance to a busy, fast-paced working life as a senior teacher in a comprehensive school (or high school in the States), so I'm very much looking forward to it.

My daughter is currently preparing for exams and will be moving away to university in October, so all my attention will be on that for the next few months. When she's settled in, I'll likely start my pipe journey. I imagine this will be in the spring as I won't be able to smoke in the house. Neither my wife nor I ever did so even when we were cigarette smokers.

I've bought the necessary lighters and tools etc. along with a new corn cob, with which I'll smoke aromatics, and a secondhand block meerschaum, with which I'll smoke the English blends. I'll work my way through tobaccos that catch my eye. Any that I particularly enjoy will be bought in duplicate and cellared in some drawers in my study. I won't need a huge cellar as I'll likely only smoke one bowl in the evening with a couple more per day when term is ended.

As I progress, I will save up and buy good quality pipes from the notable manufacturers, alternating purchases between pipes for aromatics and pipes for English blends.

How does this sound as a plan?

Sounds like a plan. So far I have found that the time to have a pipe seems to present itself without any preemptive planning from me. I find it easy to put the pipe down, and it doesnt pull me or insist on being smoked like cigarettes did.

I think most pipe smokers find they can put a pipe down for days or weeks at a time with no trouble. So far, the pipe has been a treat like a cup of hot chocolate, or a piece of cake.

 

[AutumnGold]

Sounds like a plan. So far I have found that the time to have a pipe seems to present itself without any preemptive planning from me. I find it easy to put the pipe down, and it doesnt pull me or insist on being smoked like cigarettes did.

I think most pipe smokers find they can put a pipe down for days or weeks at a time with no trouble. So far, the pipe has been a treat like a cup of hot chocolate, or a piece of cake.

Sounds ideal - exactly what I'm looking for!

 

[Ranger107]

Welcome from Arizona. Being significantly older than you I started my piping journey in college, university to you Brits, back in 73. As you are in the UK might I suggest you give Condor a try. A good smoke with morning coffee or tea. Look forward to hearing more from you as you move forward in your plan.

 

[AutumnGold]

Welcome from Arizona. Being significantly older than you I started my piping journey in college, university to you Brits, back in 73. As you are in the UK might I suggest you give Condor a try. A good smoke with morning coffee or tea. Look forward to hearing more from you as you move forward in your plan.

I will certainly give Condor a try. Thank you. Trouble is, there are so many enticing sounding blends out there that it's difficult to know where to begin!

 

[ftrplt]

Welcome to the group!! Where are you in The Mother Country?? I/we have family (long story!!) in/near Chester. FTRPLT

 

[DrT999]

Welcome to BoB!

 

[user 6274]

Welcome aboard.

 

[AutumnGold]

Welcome to the group!! Where are you in The Mother Country?? I/we have family (long story!!) in/near Chester. FTRPLT

I'm a bit further west than your family. I live on the south coast of Wales. Cymru am byth!

 

[Aussiemike]

Welcome mate great to have you with us

 

[AutumnGold]

Welcome mate great to have you with us

Thank you!

 

[Ol'Dawg]

Welcome to the BoB!

 

[Timbo]

Welcome to BoB Autumn, don't be afraid to ask questions. Everyone has to start somewhere.

 

[AutumnGold]

Welcome to BoB Autumn, don't be afraid to ask questions. Everyone has to start somewhere.

Will do, thank you.