Pipe Smokers?

[beowulf67]

BTW, here's the method I learned for packing. I never got it right until I started doing it this way.

-Sprinkle tobacco loosely into the bowl, until full. Loose is the key here.
-Pack with the flat-head tool to half the depth of the bowl, sprinke loose tobacco to the top once again.
-pack to half the depth of the first pack, or roughly to 1/4th the depth of the bowl. Fill to the top again to level with the top.
-Char with one match. Pack to about 1/4" below the rim, then light with the second match.
-Enjoy.

I gently puff constantly. Too fast and it gets hot, to slow and it doesn't taste right for me.

T.

That's pretty much the way I pack it. I think I just need more practice to get the tobacco so it's not too loose or packed too tightly. Sometimes I get it just right and can smoke it all without relighting. Other times I swear the pipe gremlins keep putting it out every time I blink.

I have always loved the smell of a good tobacco burning in a pipe and have yearned to try it but as a broke college student, its just another habit that i cant afford. I do smoke cigars on special occasions. Last time I had a cigar was when we started up my bosses dragster for the first time. Hmmm, I'm hankering for a swisher right now. (I know, I'm cheap). Any good entry-level pipes you all recommend? I have been told to pick up a Peterson second but that is still more than I can justify spending.

Bishop

I don't know pipe name brands too well, in fact I don't remember the brand I own. I went to my local cigar/pipe shop and talked to the guy that owns it. I'd been buying cigars there for a while already, plus he's in a (bag)pipe band so we always have good conversations.
Anyway, he recommended a good starter pipe and explained why-bowl size and shape, stem length, shape etc. It was around $25-$30 and he threw in a nice pipe tool, pipe cleaners, matches and small bag of tobacco. They blend their own at this shop so I'm slowly working my way through them trying to decide what I like best.