So I bought a pipe. Rookie advice needed

[Thunder_Snus]

So while picking up a few cans of snus while i wait for a new order to arrive i let the nice tobacco store salesman talk me into trying a pipe. I just picked up a little corncob pipe and a pouch of prince albert. I think I'm going to be replacing my occasional cigar with an occasional pipe but the prince albert seems a little too bland to me. So i was looking for a little help with the following questions.

Whats a more exotic pipe tobacco(s) i can try?
How tightly should i pack the tobacco in the pipe? I seem to be able to smoke it fine i just wasnt sure if i could make the experience better.
How do i put it out if i dont want to finish it? Even the tiny corncob lasts longer than i would have though.
Theres a tiny filter in it should it be removed? It seems like a filter maybe its just part of the packagin. little round thing in the mouth piece that says made in mexico.

Any answers or further input is highly apprecaited

[rickcharles606]

I love smoking my pipe, and do so everyday. Now, don't get me wrong here, snus is my mainstay and I couldn't make it without my snus, lol...but I love my pipe too. It's so very relaxing and enjoyable.

If you have a tobacconist nearby, it will be easier to pick up tobaccos in small quantities and try them, but you can also buy from a trusted online vendor like www.pipesandcigars.com. Great guys and very good prices.

It really depends on what flavors you're looking to try. I personally, enjoy VaPers (virginia and perique blends), aromatics and English blends..but I mostly smoke virginia blends and use the others as a change of pace.

Much like snus, there are TONS of choices in tobaccos, so sampling is the way to go. Now, let's talk a bit about packing a pipe:

I went to YouTube and just immersed myself in information and then just figured out what worked for me. Which is essentially the Frank method or three pinch I think it's called. I grab a little tobacco and sprinkle it in the bowl until it's almost full, then lightly with virtually no pressure, press it to the bottom of the bowl. You don't want to PACK it down...keep it loose. Then grab a bit more baccy and fill it to the top and then press it down a little more firmly than the first time. Add more tobacco, to the top of the bowl, then press it down just a bit firmer than before. In between each of these steps, I sometimes will check the draw to ensure I haven't packed it to tightly. Should be ready to smoke...

Lighting the pipe is easy really. Just use a match/lighter or whatever and light the pipe, give it a puff or two and let it go out. Some people call this a false light, or a charring light. Then use a tamper and lightly tamp coals...lightly....this will help to get an even burn all the way to the bottom of the bowl. FYI...there is always a little unburned tobacco at the bottom, they call it dottle. Also, don't worry about having to relight your pipe, that's part of pipe smoking. I can now, light it once and keep it burning the entire bowl. That being said, most times..I have to relight, because I'm talking or doing something else. Don't sweat it...just enjoy a nice cool smoke and take your time. DOn't want to get that cob too hot, or it will burn right along with the tobacco ;-) Part of pipe smoking is to find a way that you like to enjoy your tobacco/pipe, and stick with it.

I don't "put" my pipes out...just set it down, it will go out.

That paper filter is there to catch condensation. Some people, myself included, don't use them. If you choose to use the filter, just replace it when wet.

As for tobaccos that I like, here are a few recommendations;

Rattray's Marlin Flake
Dunhill Flake
McClellands 2000 blend-broken flake (a sweet smoke)
Squadron Leader
Escudo
MacBaren's 7 Seas-there are three blends, try them all..they're pretty good and well behaved

[Thunder_Snus]

Thanks Rick i will definitely give your advice a try. I think this prince albert might last awhile as i dont plan to smoke the pipe too often (its seems like its hard to be a younger guy that smokes a pipe without looking like a complete douche) Also the tobacco store i went to started stocking general loose and original portions rather than just mint and wintergreen like they used to so i guess it's a small start for them to expand. Asked if they ever looked at buying other things like jaks or thunder and they said their vendor only carries general.

[tattooer601]

Pipes and cigars great retailers
Tobacco reviews, may help

To me my pipe smoking experience is only since 08..
If the smoke from the pipe isn't cool smoke, slow down the puffs..
Prince Albert is a blan tobacco to me aswell.
The cob you purchased if its a Missouri meet...
It is a excellent start and cared for could last a lifetime ....happy puffin

[rickcharles606]

Thanks Rick i will definitely give your advice a try. I think this prince albert might last awhile as i dont plan to smoke the pipe too often (its seems like its hard to be a younger guy that smokes a pipe without looking like a complete douche) Also the tobacco store i went to started stocking general loose and original portions rather than just mint and wintergreen like they used to so i guess it's a small start for them to expand. Asked if they ever looked at buying other things like jaks or thunder and they said their vendor only carries general.

what's the name of the shop and where are they located...I'll get them to carry Thunder, Jak's and Oden's.

[tattooer601]

what's the name of the shop and where are they located...I'll get them to carry Thunder, Jak's and Oden's.

Question.....
Don't you give a snus Finders fee someone when they get you business contacts like this?
If I am thinking of another snus e shop please understand I mean no harm.....

[Ansel]

Personally if i were you i would get a cheap briar. I just got this James Upshall chimney briar.

[Thunder_Snus]

Rick name of the place is smokers choice. Located in Bloomington, IL. It may pull up under Normal, IL. It's right on the border.

Also, does lighting a pipe with a match make it an overall better experience? I remember being maybe 14 or 15 and my friends irresponsible dad was teaching us how to smoke cubans. Light with a match because the vapor from the lighter changes the taste. I'm not much of a smoker so im not really sure if thats something that actually true.

[lxskllr]

Also, does lighting a pipe with a match make it an overall better experience? I remember being maybe 14 or 15 and my friends irresponsible dad was teaching us how to smoke cubans. Light with a match because the vapor from the lighter changes the taste. I'm not much of a smoker so im not really sure if thats something that actually true.

Personal preference. Matches are kind of cool due to the old school, low tech appeal. If it goes out while lighting, you'll get a sulphur hit. Zippos taste like Zippo. Butane is probably the most neutral way of lighting a pipe.

[Ansel]

Personal preference. Matches are kind of cool due to the old school, low tech appeal. If it goes out while lighting, you'll get a sulphur hit. Zippos taste like Zippo. Butane is probably the most neutral way of lighting a pipe.

this +1

[rickcharles606]

Question.....
Don't you give a snus Finders fee someone when they get you business contacts like this?
If I am thinking of another snus e shop please understand I mean no harm.....

When I was at Northerner, we were offering this. I'm no longer working with them, so sorry...but no my new company doesn't. That being said, I only offer to assist in getting the variety of snus brands in your local shop, as a friendly service to my SnusOn bretheren. My sales teams add new snus shops everyday, without referrals....but to speed up the process and get you what you want, gimme the info and I'll have my sales guys/gals give em a call. The shop probably already buys from us ;-)

[Thunder_Snus]

When I was at Northerner, we were offering this. I'm no longer working with them, so sorry...but no my new company doesn't. That being said, I only offer to assist in getting the variety of snus brands in your local shop, as a friendly service to my SnusOn bretheren. My sales teams add new snus shops everyday, without referrals....but to speed up the process and get you what you want, gimme the info and I'll have my sales guys/gals give em a call. The shop probably already buys from us ;-)

The place i visited to pick up a small amount of snus had a sweet general fridge. Basically a small wine fridge but with racks in it obviously for holding snus. Any ideas on where I could get a branded one like that? I don't care if its general. I'd pay an insane amount of money to have a Thunder fridge sitting on my desk.

[rickcharles606]

The place i visited to pick up a small amount of snus had a sweet general fridge. Basically a small wine fridge but with racks in it obviously for holding snus. Any ideas on where I could get a branded one like that? I don't care if its general. I'd pay an insane amount of money to have a Thunder fridge sitting on my desk.

Sadly, Ebay is about the only place I know that you can occasionally find a General Fridge. That being said, you can buy a wine fridge yourself and make the needed modifications easily.

I have a WICKED Oden's fridge, that I LOVE.

[Thunder_Snus]

Sadly, Ebay is about the only place I know that you can occasionally find a General Fridge. That being said, you can buy a wine fridge yourself and make the needed modifications easily.

I have a WICKED Oden's fridge, that I LOVE.

Thats sound like something a little over my head to do.........but something i would definitely pay to buy

[rickcharles606]

dude...just buy the chiller, and stack your snus on the shelves. Why does it have to be modified at all? I have a freezer FULL of snus just thrown in there in separate vacuum locked bags, dated of course. OR...you can just choose NOT to refrigerate your snus, it's not required bro. I only throw my back stock into a freezer for long term storage, after I take it out...it never get's chilled again, lol