DO:
- Get an inexpensive corn cob pipe ~10 USD. The trusted famous brand is Missouri Meerschaum.
- get a well loved “codger blend” like Carter Hall or Prince Albert
- watch some YouTube videos on packing and lighting; keep it simple (3 step packing)
DON’T
- buy an expensive pipe to start with
- get frustrated with learning curve - patience
Tobacco Types
- wealth of info at tobaccoreviews.com
- aromatics (broadly, smell good but no taste)
- virginia / burley: core tobacco leaf types (notes of bread, hay, leather)
- latakia: smoke cured (campfire smokey smells)
Try them all. See what you like. (But va/burley is the best!)
Image source:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/miguellopezmallach/15365251481/in/photostream
Happy so far w an ECM (sister company) Mechanika. Very similar looking build and materials.
You’ve got more knobs to twiddle it looks like. Enjoy!