Where to buy a starter pipe?

[BigDirtyFoot]

Okay so I'm looking to buy a pipe to start smoking on somewhere online, because the cigar shop in my little college town knows nothing about pipes. Although I did get 5 different flavors of the house blends. See, Dan (psygardelic) sent me a straight pipe to smoke out of, but I feel like there's a leak or something in it, and no matter how many sites I frequent, showing me different methods of packing the pipe, I can't seem to get it to WORK. I mean, work WHATSOEVER. (Thanks Dan though, you have definitely gotten me hooked on pipes to some extent!)

So where online can I find a good quality pipe between 25 and 50 bucks to start this new hobby? Also, any particular models are definitely welcomed!

Also, any tips for pipe smoking will help as well.

[Nooner]

Okay so I'm looking to buy a pipe to start smoking on somewhere online, because the cigar shop in my little college town knows nothing about pipes. Although I did get 5 different flavors of the house blends. See, Dan (psygardelic) sent me a straight pipe to smoke out of, but I feel like there's a leak or something in it, and no matter how many sites I frequent, showing me different methods of packing the pipe, I can't seem to get it to WORK. I mean, work WHATSOEVER. (Thanks Dan though, you have definitely gotten me hooked on pipes to some extent!)

So where online can I find a good quality pipe between 25 and 50 bucks to start this new hobby? Also, any particular models are definitely welcomed!

Also, any tips for pipe smoking will help as well.

try this place:

http://www.paylesspipes.com/

I think they do closeouts and seconds too.

[madurofan]

Pm sent

[Foz]

Peterson pipes are good and most are relatively inexpensive. You should be able to find them anywhere online.

Chris

[IHT]

go to ebay and type in "Stanwell". you should be able to find a few nice pipes for 20-40 bucks, new.

i would jump on this one here.
http://cgi.ebay.com/UNSMOKED-NEW-Stanwell-Legend-217_W0QQitemZ5425418440QQcategoryZ596QQssPageNameZ WDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

here's a nice peterson:
http://cgi.ebay.com/MINT-K-P-Peterson-Flame-Grain-Smoking-Pipe-N-R_W0QQitemZ5424058351QQcategoryZ596QQrdZ1QQcmdZVie wItem

just a few...

[IHT]

here's a nice, slightly used Viprati...
http://cgi.ebay.com/NICE-VIPRATI_W0QQitemZ6209112308QQcategoryZ4119QQssPage NameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

l'anatra, new... not cheap, but reportedly great pipes.
http://cgi.ebay.com/HERMIT-UNSMOKED-LANATRA-2-EGG-SILVER-LONG-BIG-GRAIN_W0QQitemZ5424852872QQcategoryZ596QQssPageNam eZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

nice ser jacapo
http://cgi.ebay.com/Ser-Jacopo-R1-Calabash-Delecta-Maxima-NR_W0QQitemZ6208690437QQcategoryZ4119QQssPageNameZ WDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

SORRY, I JUST LOVE ITALIAN PIPES.

you could always go for a cheaper Nording, or a more expensive Karl Erik (since he just died recently, hard to find, but great pipes - i have 1 and it's my favorite).

[BigDirtyFoot]

Thanks for the advice guys. IHT, I really liked a few of your suggestions, so I am keeping a watch on them. Madurofan, thank you very much for your generosity as well! Great advice from everyone.

[txmatt]

My recommendation would be to buy an "estate pipe". This is a pipe that was owned by someone before. They put a new mouthpiece on it or sterilize it. The advantage is that the bowl will already have a nice cake on it. Call me lazy if you will; I don't like seasoning cast iron skillets on my own either.

Many tobaccoists carry estate pipes, just call around.

:2

[IHT]

My recommendation would be to buy an "estate pipe". This is a pipe that was owned by someone before. They put a new mouthpiece on it or sterilize it. The advantage is that the bowl will already have a nice cake on it. Call me lazy if you will; I don't like seasoning cast iron skillets on my own either.

Many tobaccoists carry estate pipes, just call around.

:2
that would be another great suggestion. i know the place i buy my tobacco has a nice assortment of estate pipes that they professionally clean.
you can get them pretty cheap, normally around $40 or less for a quality pipe. they may not be anything special to look at though, as they get picked over pretty good.

[OpusEx]

I would personally recommend using a corn cob or what most shops refer to as "basket" pipes (pipes they put on the counter in a basket, which are usually siginificantly reduced in price). Using these less expensive pipes will give you the opportunity to try a bunch of tobacco blends and find ones that are to your liking. Once you have found a blend that you know you would like to keep in your regular rotation, then go ahead and buy a more expensive pipe, brand new and dedicate that pipe to only one blend. Doing this will allow the pipe to develop a cake (of only that blend) and this will enhance your smoking exeperience. The only "estate" pipes I would consider buying would be those, which are rare, of very high quality and in good conditon.

Just my :2