From: ?????????????????????????????? (Elias Mazur)
Subject: Welcomes, tips and pipes...

Hello everybody,

I am happy to see that the group continues to grow.  Let's hope that
we will keep adding fellow pipe smokers from all over the world and
continue to exchange information, or simply chat about pipes.  Steve,
I think it might be a good idea if you have some free time between a
Cavendish and a Balkan Sobraine, to put together a list of all the
members of the group with a brief description such as State, city,
country, etc.  And maybe in the near future we may even begin to talk
about a possible Pipe Mailgroup meeting ?? (thoughts??).

Well, again welcome to the new members.

Tim, I think it is a great idea to give up cigaretes (arghhhh!!!!) and
join the civilized world of relaxed pipe smokers.  I did it myself
about 12 years ago and definetely do not regret.  The first steps may
a little ardous.  It takes some time to fully enjoy a pipe, which I
think is very positive.  You learn how to better smoke your pipe(s)
and you grow with accostumed to them.  The first recomendation I have
for you is to buy the book from Steve Hacker "The Ultimate Book of
Pipes" - Steve if the title is wrong, please correct me. I don't have
the book with me and it is 5:30 pm :-).  It is a great book about
pipes and very fun to read.  It gives a lot of general info for the
beginner.  Steve, could you send Tim the address where to order the
book?  If you want to buy a pipe to smoke while you read it, here goes
some general tips:

- Buy a pipe in the unexpensive range, but not from drugstores.  Ask the person
at a good pipe shop to show some pipes.  Never rush to buy a pipe; take your
time.

- Buy a smooth tobacco. Some aromatic cavendish. English tobaccos are heavy for
the beginner, although after a while those will be the only ones you want to
smoke (OK - I know this is MY VERY OWN opinion :-) just kidding. I like
aromatics every once in a while )

- Buy a pipe companion (a small instrument to push the tobacco down the bowl as
you smoke it)

- Buy pipe cleaners

- Fill the bowl sparingly the first 3 to 4 times, increasing the amount on the
next smoke.  Do not pack the tobacco tight the first time. You have to be able
to smoke it smoothly. If you make any effort to puff, it is no good. Do it
again.

- You should not spend more than $20 in this first visit, although you
can spend a lot more if you want.

- Do not over do it.  Smoking pipe is a pleasure not a habit.

- Have fun

 Let us know about your first experiences with a pipe. Do not give up.
With little time you will be enjoying a pipe and have a great time
just like the rest of us :-)


Martin, thanks for your info about pipe shops in Munich, but
unfortunately I only received your mail after my return.  Anyway I
only spent one day in Munich and didn't have much time there.  I saw a
few pipe shops in Vienna but they were way overpriced, so I decided to
hold on for now.

- Elias

[ Good to hear back from you, Elias! I like the idea of an address
list, and of a possible meeting. However, I don't have everyone's
physical address. How about this: if the members send me mail with
this info, I'll put them on the list? More on this later. -S. ]


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( Pipe smokers will rule the world!      *   ??????????????????????	 (
 ) (if they don't run out of matches...) *   Steve Masticola, moderator	  )
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