The art of smoking a pipe is neither esoteric nor mysterious; yet, it may, by chance, increase the number of providential situations.
It does not really matter whether you are an expert or a beginner, a certain number of rules must be followed which does not exclude all the risks of smoking a pipe may have, but it will certainly avoid some inconveniences or at least limit them.
The first imperative rule is to look for the right person, a specialist who provides all kinds of necessary information's you may need.
If you are a beginner, you should be sure about the amount of money you are able to spend. But pay attention! There is no exception in the wonderful world of pipes; an expensive pipe often means a pipe of good quality.
There are some types of pipes and one of them is the briar pipe, which is determined by 3 essential factors: its cut, its design and its texture. For its cut: the thickest one is the most expensive one; for its design: a regular disposition of flames; and for its texture: a good quality.
Another type of pipe is the meerschaum pipe. Formed by a rare material somewhat fragile, the meerschaum pipe has a quite expensive price.
On the other hand if you have the means to buy a briar pipe from Dunhill, do not hesitate. Remember that your first smoking experience must be unforgettable.
However, if you cannot spend that amount of money and you are somewhat out of cash, look for professional help. There will always be a right pipe for you real needs that can also offer you a pleasant beginning. For everything else is just a matter of taste and … luck.
Another important point is the first contact with a pipe. You should forget all the other pipes that have not caught your attention at the first sight.
For example, if it is a briar pipe that catches your attention, you need to examine it properly. Try to find some holes in the wood. If they are not deep, that's not a problem, they do not bring down the quality of the pipe; however, you must know that those holes will be more visible in a certain time. But if those holes are deep, your pipe risks to break into pieces.
Do not choose a pipe whose bowl is cracked; it does have an unpleasant taste during the seasoning process.
Besides 'love at the first sight' you should select a pipe that fit with your image. Do not hesitate to it in your mouth and look yourself in the mirror (all stores have one).
After all if you are still in doubt, choose the most classical pipe: a medium cut, full of wood whose bowl is thick enough and does not warm up easily. Thus, avoid thick pipes, which are very long to be smoked, and also the small ones, which offer little time to your pleasure.
It is also important to select a long tube pipe, which refreshes smoke before it reaches your mouth. Between 2 pipes with the same cut, choose the lightest one, which is more comfortable to maintain in the mouth.
If you are a beginner you should avoid the 'guillochée' pipes, similar to the sanded ones, which can be carved with a drill or a knife. The 'guillochées' pipes are more solid than the natural pipes, but they can have strong imperfections in the wood.
Do not choose an oval head pipe tobacco cannot be consumed regularly.
Touch your pipe, get used to it. It is quite difficult to define but the first touch can also be interesting.
You should be able to select your pipe's tube. Nowadays, briar pipes have their tubes made of ebonite and those of meerschaum made of plastic or a synthetic resin similar to amber.
Another important aspect is the lentil's shape, which can vary according to tastes and necessities. The lentil's shape is important because smokers must choose it according to their dentition. That's to say: it is to be chosen a lentil that fits between the canine and the incisive or a large and flat lentil called ' fish tail'.
You can find some systems that filter nicotine the only advice we may give is that you should avoid them because tobacco loses its flavour and pipe all its pleasure. The problem is that filters increase combustion inside the tube and it alters smoke giving a taste of old nicotine.
To bring down eventual nicotine problems, you should not swallow smoke and clean your pipe regularly, normally after finishing smoking.

Haven't you made up your mind yet?

We are almost sure that you have chosen a briar pipe, which is divided in 2 groups: the straight and the bent - according to tubes.
Among the straight we find the Billiard. Its vertical bowl makes a right angle with its tube. This angle defines how bitter smoke can be.
Lots of classical models derive from the Billiard: the Poker also known as Stand-up Poker; the Apple; the Bulldog also with a slightly bent tube; the Canadian; the Port; the Dublin a light version of the Billiard; the Liverpool, the Lovat; the Prince.
Among the bents we can nominate: the Bent itself as classical as the Billiard. It has a very beautiful bent in S which links head and tube. Your short gravity centre gives the impression of being lighter in mouth. We can also find the Rhodian Bent strong and squat; opposite to the Albert Bent considered the most elegant among the Bents. And the Churchwouden well appreciated by English and German.
There are also, among briar pipes, the so-called freehanded pipes where all pipe masters are able to use all their creativity and create a unique object, a work of art.
The other pipes cover only 5% of the market. For example, meerschaum pipes, expensive and fragile pipes, made of a rare material. Yet, they produce one of the sweetest smokes. The famous Calabash, rare and delicious, can be found in the mouth of Sherlock Holmes.
Clay pipes respect the flavour of tobacco, but they are very fragile. Corn pipes, also known as meerschaum of Missouri, very popular in the United States do not last more than 2 semesters. Yet, their excellent porosity allows a sweet and light smoke.
To finalise, do not look for amiante pipes, which can provoke cancer nor violet pipes, which have exorbitant prices due to their rare and strong wood.
Now you have in your hands a large range of good choices. Good luck and have a nice moment!

We can say that there are no rules to smoke a pipe. The ideal choice is to appreciate each puff and the essential rule is to have a maximum of pleasure.
You are free to smoke it the way you want and like. Yet, you need to be careful if hearth is hot or if you smoke very slowly which can put out your pipe.
All smokers of pipe follow 3 important steps. First, wait until the ash is cold then drain it off; second, to empty a pipe it is just necessary to turn it down and if it does not work it is necessary a specific tool that can be found in any store. And finally, wait until the pipe is completely cold so as it can be smoked again.
Also avoid leaving ashes in the bowl, especially if it is a rare tobacco.
If you are a lazy smoker or if you are not able to, you can always count on a specialist that will clean up your pipe.
What characterises the relationship between a smoker and his/her pipe is the way he/she cares about it. It is a relationship full of liberty, sensibility and fantasy where time and love are unlimited.