With just a few weeks of smoking under my belt these are a few of the things I've learned.
Don't pack a pipe, just fill it. Packing turns out to be a misnomer and filling gives me a better result. I tried the three packing way, and I tried the air pocket method. Neither worked for me. I met an older fellow at the grocery store one day. The gentlemen was 75 if he was a day with pipe in mouth. I asked for guidance an learned plenty in just a few minutes of talking and watching him fill a pipe from the pouch.
Some pipes just smoke hot. My first pipe, a Peterson Killarney 06 which is a straight Billiard by the way, always bites. Another pipe, a Brigham, which I don't care for, rarely bites. I've settled on a Peterson Aran 87, an Apple if there ever was one, for now. Which takes us to the next thing I've learned...
Stick with one pipe, just one, at the start. It's hard enough learning without swapping pipes in and out at the start. I like the 87 for reasons I can't fully explain just yet. It smokes more coolly to be sure, but more than that this pipe speaks to me in ways I've yet to understand.
I prefer matches to Bic lighters. Sure I go through a lot of matches as I'm learning, but a match feels better. The flame lasts the right amount of time and it won't let you cook the bowl. I've gotten really good at striking matches and keeping a flame going even in the wind. The Diamond brand wooden matches are hit or miss in terms of quality, but they are cheap and readily available. Hover the match above the tobacco and gently draw, don't touch the tobacco and don't puff.
A good pipe tool is your friend. I sprang for a Rodgers tool and haven't regretted it for a second. I like things made in England and the quality of this tool is good. The weight of the tamper does all the work and a good pick comes in handy emptying a bowl.
Slow down. Relax and enjoy. Don't fret keeping the bowl lit. It leads to frustration, lack of joy, bite, and puffing. Chase the wisps, sip slowly and infrequently. Enjoy the process and watch the wisps of smoke. I've progressed from frustration to enjoying a lit bowl for a few minutes at a time between relights. Once I quit trying it just came as a result of the experience.
I have nothing to offer in terms of tobacco choices yet. I'm still trying many varieties. I've yet to truly enjoy a great tasting one yet, but I'm sure it will come in time.
Don't pack a pipe, just fill it. Packing turns out to be a misnomer and filling gives me a better result. I tried the three packing way, and I tried the air pocket method. Neither worked for me. I met an older fellow at the grocery store one day. The gentlemen was 75 if he was a day with pipe in mouth. I asked for guidance an learned plenty in just a few minutes of talking and watching him fill a pipe from the pouch.
Some pipes just smoke hot. My first pipe, a Peterson Killarney 06 which is a straight Billiard by the way, always bites. Another pipe, a Brigham, which I don't care for, rarely bites. I've settled on a Peterson Aran 87, an Apple if there ever was one, for now. Which takes us to the next thing I've learned...
Stick with one pipe, just one, at the start. It's hard enough learning without swapping pipes in and out at the start. I like the 87 for reasons I can't fully explain just yet. It smokes more coolly to be sure, but more than that this pipe speaks to me in ways I've yet to understand.
I prefer matches to Bic lighters. Sure I go through a lot of matches as I'm learning, but a match feels better. The flame lasts the right amount of time and it won't let you cook the bowl. I've gotten really good at striking matches and keeping a flame going even in the wind. The Diamond brand wooden matches are hit or miss in terms of quality, but they are cheap and readily available. Hover the match above the tobacco and gently draw, don't touch the tobacco and don't puff.
A good pipe tool is your friend. I sprang for a Rodgers tool and haven't regretted it for a second. I like things made in England and the quality of this tool is good. The weight of the tamper does all the work and a good pick comes in handy emptying a bowl.
Slow down. Relax and enjoy. Don't fret keeping the bowl lit. It leads to frustration, lack of joy, bite, and puffing. Chase the wisps, sip slowly and infrequently. Enjoy the process and watch the wisps of smoke. I've progressed from frustration to enjoying a lit bowl for a few minutes at a time between relights. Once I quit trying it just came as a result of the experience.
I have nothing to offer in terms of tobacco choices yet. I'm still trying many varieties. I've yet to truly enjoy a great tasting one yet, but I'm sure it will come in time.
Last edited:
