If you are in the early stages of shopping for a tobacco smoking pipe, you may be feeling a little overwhelmed. There is a vast array of styles and brands to choose from, but contrary to what you may think, aesthetics is not the only factor to consider when making your decision. While you may like the look of a vest pocket variety, you might ultimately be more comfortable with a jumbo wood smoking pipe.

When exploring your options, the tobacco smoking pipe you choose should have a draft hole that aligns perfect with the stem’s air hole. Ideally, there will be minimal sandpits, and for a higher quality, look for one with a tight gain. Even if you are shopping for a cheap smoking pipe, you want to avoid one with too many fills. The pits and holes don’t necessarily interfere with the smoking process, but they won’t age very gracefully either.

For a tobacco smoking pipe that will last you many years, make sure the one you pick is precisely aligned. Peterson, Nording, Green Planet, Barling and Carey Magic are all outstanding, reputable manufacturers that are known for producing quality pipes.