Thrift stores often sell what is known as estate pipes (pipes that were owned by previous smokers) and often they require extra work to clean them. It may be something you'd like to get into as it's a crafty hobby...
check this blog for more details https://rebornpipes.com/tag/duncan-delta-pipes/ this man cleans and restores estate pipes for a living.
If you can find yourself a tobacconist or a place that sells cigars, you'll often find them selling pipes too.
Regarding Falcon Pipes, you can often order from their main website. These guys give top notch service if your pipe and bowl has defects.
Not sure if you're from the BC Vancouver area but check these shops out
If you are going to buy a second pipe, like a Briar, then choose one you can clench, maybe something like a Peterson's Sherlock Holmes style, or the Liscanor - these are full bent pipes.
Or you can try getting a Louvat style (pop-eye the sailorman) style pipe. Short. Robust. Light. Easy to carry.
We're about 12 hours north of Vancouver so it's going to be a while before I get down there but I am planning on it before February as I have to renew a course by then.
I wouldn't mind a secondhand pipe if I can get it for a couple of bucks, even if it needs some work, it would be a cool project to work on over the winter. There are a few stones in town that call themselves tobacconists but it looks like mostly vapes and cigarettes when I checked online. Hopefully they will have some pipes as well.
I'll definitely check out a new Falcon pipe. I found a set for $119 that looks like a good starter. If I don't find something that I can get from a real store, I will go that route
https://victorypipes.ca/shop/shop-tobacco-pipes/all-pipes/falcon-straight-tobacco-pipe-set/
The problem with ordering from England is that the exchange and customs fees often are more than any savings, plus the shipping costs are usually horrendous. I believe it's also illegal to buy tobacco from outside of our province because they want their taxes. I will check it out though and see if there is a way.
I will check out the blog if I find some estate pipes today, but from what I've seen from all of the research, it would be smart to snap any up from the thrift stores, even if it's just to hold onto them until I learn more.
I wish that were true but because Falcon pipes are made in England they ding us in Canada for all the fees to get them here. Maybe I will make a friend there though that would mail them to me and mark it as a gift so there are no duties and customs fees. 😉
The cheap Backwoods tobacco is over $40 for 50 grams here as well and so far it's all I have seen available in a store.