Is this cheap pipe even worth trying? (& other beginner questions)

[OnTheRoadToZen]

Hello gentlemen and -women!

So, I'm a cigarette smoker, looking to cut down on that crap, and started thinking about trying pipe smoking as a substitute. It seems like a more enjoyable and perhaps less harmful way of smoking, and also it reminds me of my late grandfather, who smoked a pipe.

One thing led to another, and a late night trip to eBay later, and I am now the lucky owner of this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wooden-Smoki...item519aa50308

Since it was so cheap, I figured I'd lose almost nothing by ordering one.
It looks kinda nice, I like the style, but it feels pretty cheap. The bowl is made of metal, as you can see in the pictures - is that common?

Anyhow - my question is simply: Should I even bother to try this pipe? Will it be horrible? Mediocre? Good? Great? Are anyone able to tell, or does anyone have experience with this cheap thing?
(For the record, I haven't aquired any pipe tobacco yet.)

And in general, what are some good, affordable (~$20?) beginner pipes? I see that corn cob pipes are recommended for beginners, but I think those look absolutely awful. Are there alternatives?

[haiku44]

I wouldn't smoke it. Tried one of those way back when and I never stopped tasting like burning plastic. You can usually find an estate pipe for under $20 on the bay. They only need to be cleaned up a little to be smoked.

[haiku44]

That might even be exactly the pipe I bought. In the red speckled color..

[mayhem]

You can go ahead and try it, but don't give up if you don't like it or it doesn't work well. I have a couple of 'cheap-import' pipes bought through e-bay, and for the most part they're junk. I'll get one out though if I have some particularily strong aromatic tobacco so I can try it without flavoring one of my better pipes.
I'm a firm fan of estate pipes - like haiku44 said you can pick them up pretty cheap on e-bay.

[OnTheRoadToZen]

Thanks for the advice! Currently browsing estate pipes on the bay

Are any particular types more suitable for a beginner? Currently I'm mostly going by looks.
Also, is it easy to clean a pipe? I see some estate pipes are sold cleaned, others not.

[Garlisk]

For cheap pipes, you really can't go wrong with a cob. They're good for giving pipe smoking a try...I personally wouldn't smoke the one you linked to. I know you said you don't like cobs, but take a look...they arn't all the same, and maybe you'd try one of their "hardwood" pipes?
http://www.corncobpipe.com/home.php?cat=257

[haiku44]

A straight pipe is easier to run a pipe cleaner through, but a bent isn't much more effort to clean. But if it was me I'd just go for one I liked the look of. They all aren't too difficult to clean up. The sticky on the front of the brown leaf section has tips/instructions for cleaning and restoring pipes.

Thanks for the advice! Currently browsing estate pipes on the bay

Are any particular types more suitable for a beginner? Currently I'm mostly going by looks.
Also, is it easy to clean a pipe? I see some estate pipes are sold cleaned, others not.

[Kazeryu]

Thanks for the advice! Currently browsing estate pipes on the bay

Are any particular types more suitable for a beginner? Currently I'm mostly going by looks.
Also, is it easy to clean a pipe? I see some estate pipes are sold cleaned, others not.

The trick here is that "uncleaned" can mean very, very different things - some might be OK, others might be just awful. Personally I'd suggest trying to snag a cleaned one at first, if you can.

[Argonaut]

A big "NO" on the original pipe in question. I would stay away from ebay pipe buying until you know what you're looking for. Get a MM cob or a Dr Grabow to start off with.

[PugslyCat]

A big "NO" on the original pipe in question. I would stay away from ebay pipe buying until you know what you're looking for. Get a MM cob or a Dr Grabow to start off with.

+1 - My experience with Dr. Grabow has been good, for low end pipes. These typically have a spot for a filter which you may or may not choose to use. If changed regularly the filter absorbs a lot of moisture that would otherwise make for a wet smoke.

I was fortunate when I started out that there was a smoke shop near me that kept "basket pipes" behind the counter. This was a literally a basket of pipes for $10-$15 each. I don't know if that practice still prevails as there are no longer any great tobacconists in my area.

[slickboy59]

For cheap pipes, you really can't go wrong with a cob. They're good for giving pipe smoking a try...I personally wouldn't smoke the one you linked to. I know you said you don't like cobs, but take a look...they arn't all the same, and maybe you'd try one of their "hardwood" pipes?
http://www.corncobpipe.com/home.php?cat=257

I highly recommend a cob to start with as well. Unless you know someone who is a knowledgeable pipe smoker and can find you a good estate pipe to get you started (as in my case), you can't go wrong with a pipe. They are almost fool proof and super easy to begin to learn maintenance without too much fuss. Just my $.02.

[OnTheRoadToZen]

For cheap pipes, you really can't go wrong with a cob. They're good for giving pipe smoking a try...I personally wouldn't smoke the one you linked to. I know you said you don't like cobs, but take a look...they arn't all the same, and maybe you'd try one of their "hardwood" pipes?
http://www.corncobpipe.com/home.php?cat=257

Hey, some of those look really nice! I had the impression that all corn cob pipes looked awful... Thanks for proving me wrong!

I'll give a corn cob pipe a try then, since so many here recommend that for a starter! If I like it, I'll start shopping around for something fancier.
I'll also look at Dr. Grabow pipes.

Thanks for advice everyone!

[Kentos]

Get a fancy stem for your cob from Walker Briar. Makes it look all high falutin' and whatnot :)

[Artistik]

Glad you decided on the cob. There are sites to purchase estate pipes other than ebay and they are customarily cleaned and ready to smoke when you buy them (ex: www.somkingpipes.com). However, start with the cob to see if pipe smoking is for you. Buy some over the counter (OTC) tobacco such as Carter Hall, fill up your cob and fire it up. Good luck on subing pipe for cigs. I'm still working on it!

[Slash McCoy]

Want to give up cigarettes but still have an occasional smoke, and truly enjoy it?

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/173210

Try a hookah.

Get some Al Fakher, double apple flavor, to smoke in it. I add just a pinch of Nakhla brand mint flavor to brighten it up a bit.

[conroygc]

When I first started pipe smoking, I started a very similar thread after purchasing a near identical pipe. I never did smoke out of the pipe, the materials really don't look safe to smoke out of.

Corncobs are by far the most affordable way to go. If you'd rather start with a briar, might I suggest something from this etsy store.

edit: I should mention I've never purchased anything from that etsy seller, so buyer beware. His pipes look decent enough, I'll probably buy one someday.

[Bristlingbeardofodin]

If buying on ebay Pipestud is a reputable seller.

[Uncle Jackie]

As mentioned before, never underestimate a cob. A $5 MM corn cob will smoke every bit as well as a $200 Peterson, and you don't blow a gasket if you drop or lose it.

[allawd]

The trick here is that "uncleaned" can mean very, very different things - some might be OK, others might be just awful. Personally I'd suggest trying to snag a cleaned one at first, if you can.

Even a cleaned pipe can be a gamble. Some of my estates are ghosted with decades of cherry aro. Alcohol salt treated 2x, activated charcoal in the oven for 8 hours, rest 24 hours, more alcohol and salt treatment. I can still smell cherry though it doesn't effect the taste anymore.

Maybe I'd look at a cleaned estate from some respected site, but very risky on ebay. There are a ton of good pipes under $50 that are unsmoked.

[SkipH]

If you really want to go cheeply, pick up a corn cob pipe. These are not novalties. The most often seen brand is Missouri Meerchaum. They don't last a particularly long time, and are not as good as a quality briar, but for a few bucks, they are better than the cheep, briars that have been laquered.