KA9FFJ Master
I'm not sure where you are in your pipe hobby journey, but next time you are near St. Charles, stop by John Dengler Tobacconist = 700 S. Main St., in Old St. Charles. He has a quaint little B&M there and is very knowledgeable. Also, there is a St. Louis Pipe Club. I have met a few of the guys at the annual St. Louis pipe show held every February. You can receive loads of hands-on learning from them. Because their meeting location is quite a distance from Granite City, I have never made their meetings, but you might want to check them out as well. Hope this helps...