Poor Man's pipe.

[TheSmokingHiker]

Hey guys, I love my cigars, but they get a bit expensive. I have really thought about getting into a bit of pipe smoking lately. Anyone have any suggestions as to the best strategy to get into it inexpensively?

[DiSiLLuZioN]

If you want to go real cheap, Wal-Mart carries everything you need (well, mine does anyways) I'm pretty sure you could be well on your way for under $30. they carry Dr.Grabow pipes, and a bag of tobacco. I'm sure someone else has a better idea, but that's the set-up I bought back when I was in highschool and decided I wanted to smoke a pipe.

[Nooner]

Hey guys, I love my cigars, but they get a bit expensive. I have really thought about getting into a bit of pipe smoking lately. Anyone have any suggestions as to the best strategy to get into it inexpensively?

I"m wworking on stealing some info from other sites to put a FAQ together - will be up shortly, but a corn cob is cheap - get a corn cob, some pipe cleaners, a cheap pipe tool, some tobacco and a box of wooden matches. - you can get all these at your local Walgreens

[croatan]

For about the same price, you can go to most good tobacconists and pick up an inexpensive pipe that will be much higher quality than a Dr. Grabow. Additionally, your choices as far as tobacco are greatly incrased. My first pipe purchase (of course this was a few years ago) totaled about $20 from Stag in Phoenix. For that, I got a cheap pipe, four or five ounces of tobacco, and a three-in-one pipe tool (a must have, it has a scraper, a tamper, and a reamer).

Also, most tobacco stores will have no problem with you buying a pipe and then sitting there and sampling some of their tobaccos until you find a couple that you like.

[Foz]

You can also get some Swisher Sweets and a Black and Mild or two while you're at Walgreens. Your best bet is to find a Smoke shop that actually has pipes and pipe tobacco. If you're serious about smoking get yourself a decent pipe. (Decent isn't necessarily expensive, say $20-30) Yeah its more expensive than a corn cob but it'll smoke better and last longer too.

Most shops that sell pipe tobacco, sell it in bulk (avoid buying tins until you figure out what you like, as they tend to be more expensive) and most owners will let you sample a bowl while you're in shopping. One thing to remember is that the way a certain tobacco smells when fresh isn't necessarily how its going to taste.

You've got two main categories of pipe tobacco: Aromatics and English blends. Aromatics have sugars in them so they taste sweeter, however they also tend to burn a little hotter. English blends have no additives and tend to be stronger. For those just starting out I would recommend sticking to the aromatics.

Smoking a pipe takes a little work so if you can find someone who can share some tips first hand it would be best. Just my :2 hope it helps

(Few repeated items in here, apparently I took too long typing)

[Eichen]

For a cheap and forgiving pipe, try to find a clay. They can be found for $7 - $20 or so.

[piperman]

I got a good brier pipe at tinderbox and 2 oz of tobacco and a pipe tool for less than 40.00. the thing I like about pipes is you don't have to worry about any waste you can smoke one bowl all day if you don't have time.

[piperman]

Well it took me a while all it takes is time and you well be able to pack a perfect bowl..