Instead of thread jacking Burs thread I thought I would start a new one for you. I was gonna do it in PM but figured others could chime in here with more info and advice on what works for them. Packing tamping lighting are techniques and what works for one person may not work for another.

Pipe. Start on a cob. I know it's "corny", pun intended, but honestly it is the best beginners pipe. It really doesn't ghost and it's very forgiving to the beginner. Plus if you screw it up, it's cheap, toss it and buy new. Honestly they are a joy to smoke. I keep one or two in my rotation.

Tobacco. One of the best to start on is Carter Hall. It, like the corn cob, is forgiving and as flavor goes it isn't too bad. And i believe its mostly burley. I try to keep it simple. Tobacco blends are more vast than cigar blends. I keep basically 3. Aromatics, Virginias, English blends. Aromatics are cased in flavorings. Virginias can be blended with many others such as burley or periques. Virginias are high in natural sugars which can cause the notorious tongue bite. English blends are blends with Latakia. Once you find a blend you love then chase other blends with the same tobaccos. That's what made it simple for me.

Tools. Soft flame lighter or matches. A torch is too hot and will scorch the tobacco. A tamp. A pipe nail is cheap and good starter. Tamp on one end and scraper on the other. Patience, that's the best tool you can have.

How to pack. Or rather how I pack. They are different ways. I will share what works for me. But I recommend youtubing it to see other methods. I pack in 3s. Fill bowl. Lightly push down with my finger, fill bowl, push down a little harder, fill bowl and push a little harder. I test the draw between each push just to make sure I didn't pack to tight sometimes. There is the Frank method but my big dumb clumsy AZZ needs at least three thumbs to make it work.

Light. I light the tobacco. Kinda a pre light to heat it. The tobacco usually expands from its moisture content. After some ash starts forming I tamp it all down then relight. That's when I get my really good embers. I gently tamp as I smoke thru the bowl occasionally have a relight but not so much anymore.

Don't worry about breaking in your pipe just pack it and smoke it. Don't worry about how many times you light. Just enjoy it. I have many more pointers but this should get u started.

Now I put this in the trade section cuz i have an offer. I have to do a n00b pipe box up for a n00b pipe trade thread I run on another forum anyway for a guy so if your interested I can make one up for you also. I just ask you be patient cuz I'm working so much I'm running kinda slow on getting my boxes out.

So wanna trade?

Hells yes!!! Pm me the details .Oh take your time i know you are busy

DD you need some pipe tobacco?

yes he does.

Rodney will hook u up! i think i still need to send him some more cigars for the last bashing he did on me.

Ok it's a trade. I will send you a modest sfr with everything u need to get started, which is a missouri meershaum corn cob pipe, a tamp, little pouch of Carter Hall then some half ounce samples of different aros, virginias and English blends.

You send a small handful of cigars to OpFTH instead of to me. You post ur DC# here in this thread and I will post mine here too. PM me ur addy. I use to have it but I accidentally deleted my whole inbox.

Yes he does hehe

Make that two packages that DD will be getting. baccy will be different tho. BWAHAHAHA.



Send me a confirmation please.

gae9 nope you don't owe me nothing.

Good to see you stirring chit again gae

pm me his addy I will send him some when I get back in town.

pm sent

you aint seen nuthing yet. im gonna be gone this weekend but wait till i get back. i'll show you n00ds/newbs/n00ps, n00bs my l33t n00b skills
[ram27bat]

You are all way to kind!!!Looking forward to something new.

Put your bat away.

Y
A
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Oh another question about storing bacy. Ummm how do you store it???

Mason Jars is the only way to go.

And grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr corrupts yet another one....... pipes are a nice change of pace sometimes.

Thanks Rod!! So reck you a victim too??

I only smoked captain black when I did smoke.
Do you have to age tobacco like you do cigars, just a random question.

Aging it helps a lot on some tobaccos.