My first pipe

[larrysson]

I'm game...if there was enough interest. In exchange for cigars?

[Wardjrz]

Right, I've removed the filter and loaded up with Nutty Cut this evening.

A nice aroma and no bite BUT I couldn't keep the bugger lit without constantly puffing on the pipe.

I think that maybe I didn't put enough tobacco in the bowl. I am trying not to pack it too tightly but think I may have underfilled it.

I am also finding it a bit strange that there isn't much, if any, resistance on the draw.

Any advice oh learned pipe smokers?

[Sludgie]

Keep the draw rate down as you don't want the bowl getting too hot - leads to tongue bite which is not good. Also try blowing very softly back down the mouthpiece as you smoke, this helps keep the tobacco alight and will ensure a longer smoke. You will see the embers in the bowl start to glow. Don't overdo it though. Again, it's keeping a balance without the bowl getting too hot. If the pipe starts to gurgle, then you are smoking wet, if this happens, run a pipe cleaner down the stems to absorb the excess moisture and relight. Hope this helps. Nick.

[Eddie]

Nutty cut is nice, well worth persevering with.

[Pipe Dude]

Don't worry about re-lights - they're a fact of life. Seasoned pipe smokers often take 5-6 relights per bowl, and certainly don't care if it goes out. Honestly, trying to keep it alight is a recipe for disaster. Sounds like you could pack the baccy a little tighter, though. Do you check the draw before you light up? It shouldn't be hard to draw but there should definitely be some resistance. If there isn't, empty it and start again. If sucking a milkshake up a straw is 100% suction, you want to aim for about 60%.

[Smallclub]

Don't worry about re-lights - they're a fact of life. Seasoned pipe smokers often take 5-6 relights per bowl, and certainly don't care if it goes out.

Yes. Most seasoned pipe smokers I have met literally live with the lighter and the tamper in one's hand…

I often use the Achim Frank's method : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrgzFVmurUk

[Wardjrz]

Great advice fellers. Thanks very much.

I'll be trying the Frank method tonight - maybe with Sherlock Holmes or one of the samples that Paul sent.

Happy puffin'

[larrysson]

Rubbed out flakes are ribbons work well for the Frank method, but it may prove difficult with cube cut or plug tobacco. I know a guy that puts a tight fitting brass screen 3/4 the way down so the tobacco won't collapse. Works for him, but I prefer to just pack normally, as I never smoke the last bit of tobacco anyway.

[Wardjrz]

Sherlock Holmes yesterday and Nutty Cut today.

I get a bit more success with each bowl, especially as I am more confident with the amount of tobacco and packing the pipe

If the enjoyment continues to grow I think I might be in touch Paul - a Christmas present to myself.

[larrysson]

Sure thing!

[TJCoro]

Teaching an old dawg a new trick!

Pipes are certainly a different kettle of fish than cigars. "Fiddling" with pipes is half the fun. Packing, charring the tobacco, tamping, trying to keep the damn thing lit...all part of the fun... -Paul

Fun? The "fun" you describe senor larry is exactly why I put down the pipe and picked up cigars many years ago.
It didn't take long to figure out that stroling about campus in my tweed jacket and hat, fumbling with my pipe and all the necessary accoutrements was not best way to meet chicas!

But now that there's a nip in the air, I decided to dust off my old pipes and give it another go. But before I did, I finally got around to reading this thread. Great information, lads!

So to all the Pipe Dudes on this forum/thread... Cheers!


Perro, el Perro

[Wardjrz]

Well done TJ but does that mean you have given up chasing the chicas?

My story isn't over yet, I'll be posting more to this one over the next few weeks as it develops.

[Pipe Dude]

to all the Pipe Dudes on this forum/thread... Cheers!

I think you'll find there's only one Pipe Dude on this forum. Cheers anyway

[TJCoro]

I think you'll find there's only one Pipe Dude on this forum. Cheers anyway

Respectfully. But when we're on this forum/thread, we are all pipe dudes!

El P


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[Funkilee]

Well thanks to this thread, today I bought myself a pipe, nothing special in case I didn't like it, a Parker Bruyere straight pipe with a 50g of Sherlock Holmes, so as to cut down on cigars so as to allow me to build up and age my collection whilst still allowing me to appease my nicotine habit!

Have only had two bowls and thoroughly enjoyed it, there most certainly is a knack (as yet not acquired) to keeping it alight and allowing a good amount of smoke! I think this will be a good interim smoke between the Cubans and considerably cheaper! And due to their different tastes may actually lead me to developing a finer pallet?

I may even try keeping a cigar nub and crumbling that up ( if it was good enough for Churchills gardener...! )