Suggestions for new pipe smoker around camp

Q

Quirt

Joined
Oct 10, 2005
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I know there are pipe smokers here! I'm a newbie pipe smoker looking for a wilderness appropriate mountain man/frontier persons type of pipe and good smooth non bite tobacco for someone who will smoke only around a primitive type camp often in period correct clothing of the 1830's

I like the style of the MacQueen Prospector or the Ranger. pics would be great of your recommendations.
 
Clay would be period correct and less expensive than Meerschaum, but Clay pipes are not as durable as I would like.
I have one and use it only when I go to "camp". I usually use my daily smoker, and I get no guff and is Briar. As for tobacco, I like Borkum Riff Vanilla Cavendish; It's smooth with little bite with a scent of Vanilla. It is not to sweet either.
 
Some other tobaccos:

McClelland Wilderness and McClelland Blue Mountain(now called Balkan Blue).
 
I've had a Brigham "Voyageur" for about 6mos. now, and it has quickly become one of my favorites. Reasonably priced and excellent quality. Available in a variety of bow/stem shapes in addition to my 'volcano' version below:

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It may not be exactly 'period correct' for the 1830's, but it has a classic, rustic finish to it, and I don't think it would look all that out of place.
 
+1 on the Borkum Rift Vanilla Cavendish. I also like the easy availability of Captain Black (particularly fond of the Royal).

As far as pipes, I seriously suggest going to pipe shops and figuring out what floats your boat. There are some very fun options out there. I've always thought that one of the Lord of the Rings style super long stems would be fun, but they seem like a pain to transport. Meerschaum is awesome, but spendy, especially for an occasional smoker.

One style worth checking out would be the lumberman style of pipes. They are sturdy, unconventional looking, and also kind of rustic looking. My lumberman was my go to pipe for many years (then the mouthpiece broke, I bought a meerschaum, and then I quit tobacco before my daughter was born, now I have a sad collection of pipes that I look at from time to time, I miss them).
 
The deer camp is the only place I'll smoke a pipe, mainly because it's the only time I can lay back and really enjoy the peace a solitude of the outdoors. My hunting pipe is a very old straight stem Algerian brier, made in the 70's by Edward's Pipe Shop. The pipe has never had anything in it except Sir Walter Raleigh, and it is the only pipe tobacco that doesn't generate complaints about the "candy store" aroma. It does have a slight bite, but all new pipe smokers get that at first.
 
Cassrh said:
The deer camp is the only place I'll smoke a pipe, mainly because it's the only time I can lay back and really enjoy the peace a solitude of the outdoors. My hunting pipe is a very old straight stem Algerian brier, made in the 70's by Edward's Pipe Shop. The pipe has never had anything in it except Sir Walter Raleigh, and it is the only pipe tobacco that doesn't generate complaints about the "candy store" aroma. It does have a slight bite, but all new pipe smokers get that at first.
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Try GL Pease Vanilla Cream or Cornell & Diehl Autumn Evening.
 
For pipes look at Missouri Meerschaum . Get the Legend. Ditch the filter. Seriously. And don't laugh. Those who truly know will tell you a cob breaks in fast and gives smooth cool smokes.

For tobaks. Look for latakia blends.
 
I have a Missouri meerschaum ozark hardwood. It bit a little at first because I smoked 5 brothers and inhaled but it broke in fast nice cake. Pirate cake is a good and heavy on Latakia. Add some 5 brothers for the vitamin N.
 
Typically I smoke a straight stemmed Peterson Killarney. Ditched the filter and it smokes very nicely. I rotate in 3 other pipes, all gifted to me, two handmade by the gift giver. They smoke very nicely as well but thestem is much longer and the sentimental value keeps me from taking it fishing or backpacking. My corn cob pipe subs in for the Peterson on occasion.
Often I smoke Captain Black or Captain Black Gold. Purely am availability choice. I can make the short drive across the Alaskan border into the land of lowly taxed tobacco products. Runs about a quarter of what a similar pouch of Canadian tobacco would cost. A little bit of bite but I very much enjoy it.
 
The worste part of aromatics is the bite and you can never get the taste out the pipe. I usually break em in with carter hall or Prince Albert. Once a cake is established anything goes but no captain black or any other aromatic.
 
I would choose a moderate bent shape with a large bowl. Lane Limited 1-Q is a very good blend to start with. East to pack. Burns evenly, and has a nice aroma. Take a look at Smoking Pipe's website.
 
I've got a country gentleman bent corn cob on order and about to pull the trigger on the Macqueen ranger. A fellow woodsman s fixing me up with a sample based upon your recommendations.
 
Corn cob pipes smoke well and there is no break in period essentially. But they don't last long relative to a regular briar pipe. But they're cheap.
 
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