Opinions on this inexpensive cob for a newbie testing the waters

[LazyLightning]

A lot of good advise has been given.

I will interject one thing, aromatic tobacco is not for everyone. I would also try a Latakia from a small tin, it can take some getting used too, depending on the blend. Though you may instantly Love it, some of both aromatics and non, will give you a little idea what to expect/and enjoy.

I run one or two pipe cleaners through the stem ( down to the chamber ) after every smoke, to get excess moisture out. I also curve 2 pipe cleaners in half and gently get debris from the chamber. Though I use a paper towel in my Meerschaum chambers. I use a Thunderbird zippo insert for my pipes, nice soft flame.

You want a thin layer of “cake” to build up on the inside chamber. So don’t be overly aggressive, but with an inexpensive cob/hardwood it’s not a huge deal. If you get into it and start buying $100-$200+ pipes either Briar or Meerschaum you will want to make them last a lifetime. However that’s for a later date, you may not like it at all, everyone is different. The first non aromatic I feel in love with was Orlik Golden Sliced. I have 30’ish pounds of a variety of tobaccos aging. Everything from Carter hall, Latakia Flake, and a bunch in between. Be more than happy to send you a tester pkg, just shoot me a pm, if interested. Some of it has been aging for a decade+

HTH!