Tools for Pipe Smoking

Once you've chosen your pipe and tobacco, there are still a few things you will need before you can get started:

Matches or lighter. Matches are the cheapest and probably the easiest to use. Make sure you get wooden ones, as paper matches produce an adverse taste. Wooden matches also tend to burn longer than thin paper matches.

If you choose a lighter, look for those specifically designed for use with a pipe — they’ll be a lot easier on your thumb. A particularly good pipe lighter is the wind-proof Zippo Pipe Lighter.

Pipe tool. You'll also need a tool to "tamp" (gently pack) down the tobacco as you light it and occasionally as you smoke, and a tool that lets you loosen tobacco that is too tightly packed or left in the bowl when you’re done. The Czech Pipe Tool is a particularly popular multi-tool for this purpose. Some tools may have a "reamer" included, a tool used for loosening or cutting your tobacco. If your pipe tool doesn’t include a reamer, check out the Savinelli Fits All Reamer.

Pipe cleaners. Cleaning your pipe regularly is essential. The easiest way to do this is with pipe cleaners — yes, the same ones you may have used for art projects at camp. Tinder Box.com offers a variety of different types, but you may find that the bristle ones are probably the best. Many pipe smokers periodically use pipe sweetener to clean out their pipes and maintain a "sweet" taste.

A second pipe. If you're serious about your pipe smoking, then you'll need more than one. Why? After a smoke, pipes need to cool down before you can light them up again. A second pipe allows smokers to pick up a pipe again while their first pipe cools down.