@Pipefreak2383 - not a problem. It takes time and patience to develop an appreciation for this hobby. Best way to learn is to ask questions and follow the advice offered. Welcome to our world and sincere hope that you continue to enjoy your pipe and continue trying different tobaccos.
I'm sure your wife feels good seeing you enjoy her Christmas gift to you.
@Pipefreak2383 You should look into ebay for pipe racks. You can find a wide variety of racks for around $20 or less with shipping. I also use an old beer stein to hold my cobs, and you can find those easily at places like walmart.
As for pipe cleaners, look for Dills pipe cleaners at your local grocery store. They might be where they carry lighters.
You mentioned being Irish. Of course, Peterson pipes are made a few miles from Dublin. It is a wonderful company that has been making great pipes for about 150 years. However, these are certainly a lot more expensive than the Chinese pipe that you write about--but worth it. I myself cannot afford to spend a lot for pipes, but I do have one very nice Peterson Standard System pipe which I strongly recommend. Good luck, and I hope that you enjoy your pipes as much as I enjoy mine. Remember that you only have to pay for a pipe once, and it will probably last your entire life. Contrast that with the cost of buying cigarettes every day...when I started smoking cigarettes they were 25 cents a pack. Not anymore!
I recommend eBay as a great source for both new and estate/used pipes. But beyond what turns up on searches on eBay, there are three Shops on eBay that have some really nice pipes both for auction and at what appear to be reasonable prices.
@motie2 Interesting pipes! They remind me of Ollie Sylverster's avant-garde Monstrosity Pipes. They're not for everyone, but I appreciate the artistic vision that goes into them.
Comments
I'm sure your wife feels good seeing you enjoy her Christmas gift to you.
As for pipe cleaners, look for Dills pipe cleaners at your local grocery store. They might be where they carry lighters.
where do you go to get cases to store your pipe? I got my pipe in from https://www.pipesandcigars.com/https://www.pipesandcigars.com/ and it just came with the pipe no case or anything...I not really happy about that.
@motie2 @PappyJoe
where do you go to get cases to store your pipe? I got my pipe in from https://www.pipesandcigars.com/https://www.pipesandcigars.com/ and they just shipped it with nothing in it
where do you go to get cases to store your pipe? I got my pipe in from https://www.pipesandcigars.com/https://www.pipesandcigars.com/ and it just came with the pipe no case or anything...I not really happy about that.
@motie2 @PappyJoe
where do you go to get cases to store your pipe? I got my pipe in from https://www.pipesandcigars.com/https://www.pipesandcigars.com/ and they just shipped it with nothing in it
PICKERKINGS https://www.ebay.com/sch/m.html?_ssn=pickerkings
GREAT ESTATE PIPES https://www.ebay.com/sch/m.html?_ssn=great-estate-pipes
BENANDCI http://stores.ebay.com/benandci
Four examples:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/EldritchPipes
That's what this is like...... Pipe porn.
Wow. Just Wow.
http://www.pipesart.com/catalog.php?cid=825 (Pipes)
http://www.pipesart.com/catalog.php?cid=826 (Accessories)
Kent Rasmussen pipe, Butterfly
BUY IT NOW US $11,500.00
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Kent-Rasmussen-pipe-Butterfly-/351463385417
I'm just a poor retired country parson living on a pension....... and with SWMBO.
@motie2 Those 4 pipe pics you posted above: Those bottom 2 are almost SCAREY!!