Sure matches work. But I bet you burn through them in no time, as most new pipe smokers take a little time to develop a smoking rythm. So expect a few relights! Pipes go out, i've been smoking for years and usually have at least three relights :-)
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Im pretty sure ive got the soft flame lighter covered in my care package :-)
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Set a cob on fire with the torch, then use the softly burning pipe to light your tobacco in the meerschaum. :-)

Meerschaum, unlike briar, doesn't much hold a scent (or a "ghost" as we say here in the pipe fraternity) so you can smoke all kinds of tobacco in one or two meers. Briars, sooner or later, need to be segregated according to tobacco types (don't ask - long story). Meerschaum doesn't get soggy when you smoke two or three bowls in a day; brair does get soggy and likes to dry out for a day or more after a few bowlsful. Briar needs to build a dime-thick carbon cake inside the bowl to smoke cooler and dryer as time goes on and, when too thick, needs scraping or reaming; meers are kept more-or-less cake-free - smoke and scrape lightly with a pipe tool or bristle-type pipe cleaner to discourage buildup.

A cob is like a $4.00 meer - they're also great with moisture and tend not to ghost very much.

Get a straight pipe for starters. They're way easier to pass pipe cleaners through when gurgling begins.
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hmmmmmmm

meer huh, were can I get them that are not carved in a skulls head and look like I should be smoking pot in them
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Have you been in to Epicure? (used to be Cavendish and Moores) They carry a few, though really kind of over priced.
There are usually a bunch on ebay, you just have to be willing to sift through the sci-fi themed to find the good ones.
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http://www.smokingpipes.com/pipes/new/imp/index.cfm

http://www.smspipes.com/index.cfm/fu...n/catalog.main

http://www.cupojoes.com/cgi-bin/dept...ch=DW&tier2=88

http://www.paylesspipes.com/items.php?deptid=2&a=1#s320

Meers are great, I have an IMP and SMS and use them as testers.
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aaaaaaagh

I have just scrolled through 220 Meer Pipes on Ebay.................I don't have a f'n clue what I am looking at LOL
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There is also the option of a Meer Lined brair.
http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-Dr-GRABO...item2a040b2dd2

http://cgi.ebay.com/Rare-Kaywoodie-M...item27ae6c3886
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using a torch to light a pipe is not usually a good idea...as it burns too hot and can burn the bowl of a pipe....

one reason i like my evertorch....has both torch for cigars and soft flame for my pipe and cigars
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What do you guys think of this one?
LINk
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While I will be the first to admit my experience is far from vast, I have never seen a "new" meer with colour before. It looks cool, but I would wonder about it being new, or what it is that they have done to it to make it look like that.
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This is what I believe new Meer pipes to look like. I would be sketchy about that one SilverFox.

http://www.smokingpipes.com/pipes/ne...oduct_id=51672
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Looks like maybe I should pick up a few cobs (sigghhh)

I am like a kid in a candy store.

Someone help a poor brother out. I am getting a few cobs but now what.

What tobaccos to try.

I am a strictly Cuban Cigar smoker.

I like subtle nuances in my cigars.............creamy, sweet (not cloying but sweetness to it) coffee and leather notes. Not a big spice fan.

4noggins looks like a good place to start..........what if anything is a can't miss for a newb with my taste profile?
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Here is a great review site.
http://tobaccoreviews.com/browse_all.cfm
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I would just break down a buy a few cobs. In the beginning I had a few store bought cob pipes, a pipe a brother gifted me and I used some nails I had laying around for a tamping tool.
Then get on with the Newbie Pipe Tobacco thread. Brothers there will hook you up just fine. http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=9168
Get a good variety of tobacco samples to try, and work from there. In time things will work out. Only advice I can give is to take things slow. Pipe smoking is something that should be taken slowly IMMO. Think of it like when you first got into cigars. If you were like me you wanted to try everything and buy everything. Then you end up with a large stash of cigars you find out you really do not care for. Then spend endless time, smoking them or giving them away ahaha :-)...I know how you feel. There are so many blends of tobaccos, so many pipes, so little time. Try all different types of tobaccos. I prefer stronger cigars and cubans but when it comes to pipes I enjoy Virginia blends which tend to be sweet tobaccos. There are some pipe tobacco blends that have cigar clippings in them. I have only tried a few of these and was not all that impressed. Hence the corncob suggestion. Having these "throw away" pipes allow you to destroy them while learning how to smoke and trying different tobaccos. In time, you will get better pipes both in cost and smoking quality ( although some guys still prefer cobs ) but in time you will assign certain pipes to certain types of tobaccos. or even specific blends themselves.
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I did

I broke down

5 cobs on route
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36 posts... Jeepers. It'll take til Easter to come up with some tobacco to go with them. :-)
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Nope............some samplers coming from a couple inmates that decided to shove me down the slope. Also I might have thrown a tin or two in from Noggins.
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6lbs of pipe gear en route :-)
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Image

now that's what i like to see
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