Excellent, I say!

hello good sirs i just happened to have recently come into possession of a bow tie which i prefer to that of a standard tie what do you say gents do any of you partake in the wearing of bow ties as well?

I find myself to be quite partial to cigarettes of the electronic variety; accursed weak lungs, why do you spite me so? Perchance another fine gentleman has toyed with these strange newfangled devices?

>>4
Why yes! I happen to be enjoying the minted vapor of my electronic cigarette at this very moment! It is quite a marvel of ingenuity if I do say so. I find I partake in it far more than I would rolled tobacco cigarettes but, to my fortune, it is tremendously less costly! Which flavor do you prefer? I quite enjoy a mentholate-infused mixture.

This gentlemen prefers the glass waterpipe do ho ho.

I have oft thought of purchasing a pipe for myself, as I am a frequent user of cigars and cigarettes. I have one query though, what makes a good pipe? Truly, one can put quality tobacco in a pipe that could be gotten for a twenty dollar bill or less, and how would it vary from one tenfold the price?

My fellow gentlemen, I too use a pipe of the electronic variety. I also do enjoy a masters, or backwoods cigar on the roof of a elaborate hotel overlooking the city that I trespass in.

I myself am the proud owner of what is apparently known as the bent bulldog variety. I've just now done some perusing, by the by, and found the title image to be innacurate; the squat and bent bulldogs are reversed.

>>11
my own pipe was got secondhand for a ten at the antique mall and it suits my purposes well enough. The attached is identical to it (though infinetely more beautiful) with the exeption of being wrought of some green stonelike material as opposed to simple wood, and bearing a pricetag in the hundreds. I cannot speak for a difference in quality, and while I'm certain the more inspired articles have all manner of clever machinations to elicit a smoother draw, the smoke drawn through them will as ever be reliant primarily on the chosen tobacco.

>>12
>trespassing
I feel not unjustified in accusing you of ruffianism.

Ah! Here are my fellow pipe smokers. What a joy to find this thread.

When the weather is warm and spring has arrived, nothing settles me greater than a good old pipe of shag and the Wall Street Journal, had leisurely on my porch.

I smoke a meerschaum quarter bent bulldog (picture related), and in it I place either a McClelland PM or Rattray's "Accountant's Blend". I find the accountant's blend, which is a blend of Black Cavendish, Virginia, and Latakia tobaccos, to be full of body and flavour yet not over-powering. A very enjoyable outdoor smoke, and certainly one of my favourites.

>>11
In response to this /gent/leman, I would suggest your first pipe to be a relatively cheep one. Starting with a well built, sturdy, briar pipe for between $20 and $40 USD should suit you well. Learning the technique of smoking a pipe, which is surprisingly challenging, often discourages the beginner. For this reason, many a man has wasted a pretty penny on an overly extravagant beginner pipe.

Also of concern is the potential damage to the pipe itself that may occur while breaking in, lighting, or maintaining the pipe without having had adequate experience.

In addition to theses reasons, as a beginner pipe smoker, you will likely not have developed a palate which has the ability to discern between the subtle nuances between the higher quality tobaccos/pipes and average. In this case, an expensive pipe would indeed provide no greater joy then one "for a twenty dollar bill".

Best of luck to you sir. I hope your pipe smoking career provides you hours of joy and relaxation the way mine has.

>>17
As one that had previously dismissed the idea of purchasing a pipe for my own enjoyment, your submission has greatly affected my outlook.

I am inspired my fellow /gent/, I shall embark on a quest to find a quality pipe at a thrifty price tomorrow, and thus my tobacco laced journey in relaxation shall begin.

Wish me luck good sir!

>>17
As a recent addition to the pipe smokers on this board, I strongly second this fine gentleman suggestion. I have used my first pipe to its fullest and am currently shopping around for a new one to replace it. It has been the best tobacco related purchase i have ever made at only a little under forty U.S.D.

My only other suggestion to you would be to learn how to keep your pipe from going out, as I had found it frustrating to keep using all of my matches during only a handful of smokings. I sincerely hope you find enjoyment in your new hobby.

I for one do not inhale, but I see the attraction.

Some of the day-laborers working at my plantations have taken accustom to smoking a strange variety of hemp.

Recenty, I have grown quite found of rolling my own cigars out this highly-medicinal herb. I would like to tastiness wither or not it would be right and proper to smoke this weed out of a pipe rather than tabacoo.

Remorsefully, I must assume the role of a pedant. Respectfully, I accuse you of lacking a command of your own vernacular. Rather than "dower" I assume you meant "dour." Perhaps you meant to assert the "'grim' vacuousness" or "'dismal" vacuousness" of tobacco related articles. I wish that my correction not come to you as ungentlemanly, but rather that I hope to elevate your awareness of vocabulary. Dower is the etymological root of dowry, and thus is not a term applicable to tobacco unless under exceedingly rare circumstances. I hope, kind sir, that my correction has not come as an insult, but rather as a means to prevent future embarrassment. With that, I bid you good day sir.

>>81
I thank you for kindly taking the time to instruct me so politely. Dour is a rather rare word in my personal vernacular hence my ill use of it, but I am surely glad to now know it's proper spelling.
As to what was grim and empty, I was referring at the time to the board itself and the lack of any posts upon it at all. You may notice if you look that my original post is numbered "1."
I thank you again, and merrily wish you a good day.

My word, have I actually found a land in the vast plains of this Internet where men can be civil? They said I was crazy, but I knew in my heart of hearts such a place could exist!

My fair /gents/ if I may suggest that should you be a first timer to the smoking of a tobacco pipe that one might invest in a corn-cob pipe. Though it may be provincial in nature it is highly regarded as an easier pipe to learn from. A cob pipe is also cheaper than briar so if the smoking from such an apparatus is unfavorable to ones pallet then you have not thrown away hard earned money and instead retain it for, dare I suggest, a modest CD for later profit?

My good sirs, having found myself overjoyed at the presence of fellow pipe smoking enthusiasts (as well as you novice chaps), I simply must recommend one of my favorite blends, which can be acquired quite easily over the inter-net. Don't be disheartened by the gimmicky tie-in with the Lord of the Rings books, these 4 blends (the Latakia mixture is particularly stunning and novel, having been infused with some variety of combustible fungus) are all well worth a try for both the old hand and the unaccustomed:

http://justforhim.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_298_62&products_id=612

Keep puffing, gents!

Good day fair gents! It is nice to find a thread of smokers that enjoy the pipe.
I fill the bowl of my signed Nording pipe with a hearty Black Cavindish. The Nording pipes look a bit rough, and are not of the inexpensive variety, but they are handmade and thoroughly enjoyable smoking utensils.
May I suggest you find a local tobacconist, and sample some of the local only tastes.
My personal preference is for "Briar's Best" from this place: http://briarandbean.com/

Ah! Good afternoon!

First, I have to say that I am delighted that I found this board for gentlemannish chit-chats. But now, back to the topic.

I pack my pipes with vanilla and rum blend, for I like the sweet scent it leaves while smoking. Even my fellows enjoy smelling it - even though they don't even smoke!

My fellow gentlemen,

As a novice pipe-puffer who knows little of the art, I must wonder what are the techniques one must use while partaking in this joyous dried leaf. While I have little doubt, thanks to the others in this fine thread, that I can find both a fine pipe and also quality tobacco, I can't help but to ask of the more experienced to elaborate to me and also others in a similar position what a novice puffer must take into consideration to enjoy his smoke to the fullest extent.

>>4
I have tried those newfangled electronic gadgets that they insist upon calling "cigarettes", but I found it to be rather like inhaling a teaspoon of water. Wretched things, those "e-cigarettes"!

I prefer C.C. Cavendish. the flavor and aroma are simply scrumptious, I find; rather like dessert--and what is more fitting after a good meal? The pipe I prefer is a full-bent, medium size bowl, that I've enjoyed daily for some years now. Pipe smoking is not nearly as bad for one's health as smoking opponents would lead us to believe. I find it relaxing and very enjoyable. Besides, the anti-smoking campaigners have a penchant--an affinity, even--for grossly exaggerating the facts. In fact, they tend to make up their own "statistics" to suit themselves. Drama queens all! To them I say, "Balderdash and poppycock!"

>>103
Might I chime in as a long-time enjoyer of the pipe smoking.

My primary pipe is a bent briar burl pipe, given to me by my father, who taught me the ways of smoking a pipe (particularly the methods for packing flake tobacco, which can be quite tricky, though it is well worth the efffort). He imparted on me one piece of sage advice which I will today share with you:

If you are of the adventuring spirit, and purchase a tobacco or blend that you are unfamiliar with, a corn-cob pipe is an excellent way to test this tobacco. Low cost enough that it is easily replacable, and with their admirable lack of break-in, they will allow you to try something new without risking any off flavors being imparted onto your pipe.

This is particularly important, as I learned, when sampling the tin tobacco at your local tobaccist. Some of these blends are fine, and can be quite inexpensive for their quality, but others... not so. Be wary on your adventures, and best of luck with your pipes!

>>206
Though pipe smoking is indeed enjoyable, and I myself do occasionally partake, it would be unwise to think it harmless. While lung cancer is not a risk to the casual puffer, other cancers of the mouth and throat are indeed a significant risk that should be taken into account when considering this hobby.

I myself have been putting a great deal of thought into starting out pipe-smoking over the past few months and have, after much deliberations concluded that I shall be trying it out. I've set my eye on a full bent billiard made in-house from the local tobacconist at around thirty-odd pounds and shall be picking up a few samples of tobacco to try out with it to determine what best suits my tastes.
It is amusing that in my youth I always found my father's and grandfather's pipe smoking to be quite deplorable, yet here I am, at around the same age as my father when he first took up the pipe ready to dole out and try it.

Here's to many a warm Autumn eve by a fire puffing like a steam-train.

I am of the "bent" variety and I have an archaic water piper that is reminiscent of a steam engine. For weed only.

How do you gentlemen feel about cigars? I have never had one and I hear that some may "toss their cookies" after smoking one for the first time.

I've been enjoying a cheap, vanilla cavendish blend.

The draw is hard, and the smoke is thick and wet. Before retiring to my bedroom at night, I often take a fancy to smoking a bowl or two.

>>211

A wise man, your father is. I have recently purchased my first corn-cob and, as a regular meerschaum user, was rather taken by it's novelty, charm, simplicity, ease of use, and relatively unbiassed taste profile. As a beginner pipe or means to risk-less adventure, corn-cobs are rather hard to beat.



On a recent business trip to the financial district of Chicago, I happened upon, what is now, my favourite tobacconist. Started in 1857 and family run for over 153 years, Iwan Ries & Co. is a fantastic shope.

In addition to the shope, a smoking lounge (picture related) has been made available wherein patrons are encouraged to bring any bottle of their preference.

I selected both their "Proper English" blend, and Dr. Bradley's mixture. The English blend which is a "mixture of Old Belt Virginias and Orientals with a heady swirl of Latakia" quickly became one of my favourites. Dr. Bradley's mixture, a creation of Iwan Ries & Co., is mildly aromatic and a fine smoke as-well. Both tobaccos, when purchased, were optimally fresh and impressively enjoyable.

The"Proper English" blend can be purchased here:
https://www.iwanries.com/proper-english-P1797C88.cfm

>>272
Ah, the old smoking lounge. With all humdrum and posturing of the anti-tobacco crowd such things have become real rarities, I recall an article regarding the rather tragic closure of one of my home city's finest and most widely reagrded tobacconists back in 2007 bemoaning it's loss in which the author spoke highly of times he spent in their lounge.
I have only had the pleasure of visiting an establishment with a dedicated smoking lounge such as these once whilst on a vacation in England, several of the regular patrons were keen to divulge their loathing of the draconian laws that had been in place denying them the tranquility of the lounge that they had grown to love over the years by forcing the owner to install irritatingly loud smoke-extraction devices in order to keep the lounge legal. I can say though, whole heartedly and without the preamble, that only smoking outside by the fire on a clear, mild, full moon lit night has been able to surpass my experience in that lounge.

Hello gentlemen,

I have just found this thread now, what appears to be almost a year late.

I have been smoking from my full-bent churchwarden for some two or three years, now, and I am still at a loss of kinship in this hobby and art.

>>274
I wonder if you (or any other) would know of a resource for finding those remaining lounges -- be they of the legal or "smokeeasy" variety?

I have watched and lowered my head in shame at the riff raff touting off as true gentlemen of the pipe on this forum. For clear advice and leadership for a new smoker or old who wishes to truly enjoy his tobacco I heartily suggest moving to a forum more specific to this calling. As for the gentlemen here do know the ways of being proper and have a general knowledge, you need a group with the specific skill set you are trying to master. As for some general advice, starting with a lowly corn cob is a fine and minimal investment with which to test the waters before you make a fool of yourself by waisting quite a sum of money on a pipe you rarely use. For a starter blend I do suggest an aromatic specifically one called captain black white. If you wish to differ then go where your heart leads you. As with food no two gentlemen's taste will be the same. Before you take your first puff there are many steps you need to take. First with packing you have to learn the 'three pack method". Information on such a method is widely available with querries to YouTube or google. After which pursuit of less is more, sip little and slowly for the flavor to sing. Many frauds claim aromatics have no or little flavor this is because they huff and puff like Hounds trying to suck the flavor out. Sip only as much as needed to keep the pipe lit and nothing more. This will not bring the clouds the frauds are looking for but this is the one and only proper way to enjoy a pipe. I wish all of you gentlemen the best in this sacred life choice and again do urge you to go elsewhere for more specific advice on a truly difficult task of fine smoking.

Pipe smoking is lovely /gent/lemen, but it's really worth actually going to a pipe shop/tobacconists to be talked through it, as there's a very specific knack to cleaning and smoking it. I love it but I often worry about the connotations that it has (i.e. 'look at me and how different I am') - but apparently when you stop being self conscious and worrying about smoking it, people don't really care that much. Also the tobacco is generally of a better quality than cigarette tobacco. I used to smoke tobacco with Latakia mixed in it, but it's too heady often - I like a light english blend generally.