I've been on hiatus from pipe smoking for about 4 years. Had some major sinus issues that were further irritated by pipe smoking. Well, I miss it too much. Of course, I sold off all my pipes and tobacco, so it's time to start anew. I won't be buying the expensive pipes this time. I'm gonna get 3 decent pipes and some of my favorite Virginias and see if I can handle a few bowls a week. I'm excited as I really, really enjoy smoking a pipe. I just wish I would have kept some of my Ser Jacapos and Cavvichi's!


MCS
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What do you consider a decent pipe and what do you consider expensive?

I'd look into estate pipes if I were you, you can get better pipes for about half the price of new.
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Glad to have ya back MCS.
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Hey Todd,

I used to buy in the $250-$400 range as high end pipes. I'm looking at under $100 for my current stash. I just one a new no-name on ebay for $10.50. That's a good start! I'm well-aware of estate pipes. Went to the Chicago Pipe Show a few times and got some great deals there. My local Tinderbox used to carry Boswell's pipes and my first three were all Boswells. They were $33.00 each back when I first started pipe smoking. I see they have gone up quite a bit since then. The best pipe for the money for me was always Stanwell. Their lower priced pipes always smoked as good as the higher end stuff. My problem is a I have a real weakness for the Italian carvers, Rad Davis, & Mark Tinsky.

MCS
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Glad to have you back on board Scott:-)
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To the Italians, Rad, and Mark, I add Lee vonErck. I have a couple of his, but his prices are way more than I can afford now.

I have a rotation of about 13 pipes: 2 Castellos, a Radice, a Don Carlos, an Ascorti, a Becker, 2 vonErckss, a Stanwell, a no-name, and a few cobs.

God's blessings.
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Lee is a great guy. We used to correspond via email quite a bit and I caught up with him at the Chicago show when I went. I had a couple of his as well. That oil curing he does makes for a remarkable smoke!

MCS
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Welcome back to the wonderful world of pipes :-)
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First tobacco order;

G.L. Pease Tin - Haddo's
Delight (2oz.)
Hearth & Home Anniversary
Kake (ounces)
Hearth & Home AJ's VaPer
(ounces)
Hearth & Home Louisiana
Red (ounces)
Hearth & Home Marble Kake
(ounces)
Hearth & Home Stogie
(ounces)


I was always a fan of Russ' blends and Haddo's will be my first bowl as that is the tobacco that is calling me back!

MCS
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Don't judge Aj's too harsh. I found it rough when it first arrived. But Slow T was nice enough to send me some that had been resting ~2 yrs and it was amazing.
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