Pipes

[LegalEagle143]

I've never used one, and basically I was wanting to know if anyone around here could offer some instruction?

My wife purchased a pipe for me from a tobacco shop in europe - it looks pretty nice. However, I have never used it due to my lack of know how.

Basically:

-What kind of tobacco should I get? (brand, cut etc)
-How do I pack the pipe and get it lit? (lighter or matches?)
-Anything else I need to know?

Thanks in advance guys - you were the first ones I thought of today when this sprang into my mind while I was sitting in court pretending to care!

 

[richmondesi]

Smoking a pipe is really a great way to spend an hour or so. There are a lot of pipe smokers here, and you should get a lot of advice. First, let me offer that you shouldn't bother with aromatics. Some recommend that you use a match, but I like a pipe lighter. And I like burley's, but OldGI is the biggest proponent of "codger burley" that I know (Prince Albert and Carter Hall are very easy to find and good). Their are a lot of tobaccos, and you'll have a lot of fun with the hobby.

Also you need to get another pipe for your English blends due to the odor/taste of the different blends lingering in your pipe. Go to your local CVS or Walgreens and get a couple of the Missouri Meerschaums for sampling purposes. They really work well.

Enjoy!

 

[BigFish]

Check out http://www.smokersforums.co.uk/
Lots of good advice there. There is a learning curve to smoking a pipe, so don't get discouraged right away, it WILL get better.
Also, beware of the AD's! Pipe acquisition and tobacco acquisition disorders are almost as bad as RAD! lol

 

[richmondesi]

Check out http://www.smokersforums.co.uk/
Lots of good advice there. There is a learning curve to smoking a pipe, so don't get discouraged right away, it WILL get better.
Also, beware of the AD's! Pipe acquisition and tobacco acquisition disorders are almost as bad as RAD! lol

I quit my pipe forum because the ADs were kicking in... I can't afford it on top of the shaving related ADs

 

[galopede]

Don't talk to me about pipe ADs! I have about 50 different blends stashed in several plastic crates and numerous pipes scattered about the house.

Good advice about avoiding the aromatics. Most beginners start on them and give up soon after as they aren't much cop. They smell great for anyone else around you but not for the smoker!

The basic burley blends you get over there are pretty good for starters. My preference is for straight Virginias adn Virginia/Perique blends.

I have quite a few of the English blends for when I want a change. They have the smokey flavoured Latakia tobacco and other orientals. They are also very popular. When I say "English" blend that is a type of blend rather than the nationality of the blender/maker!

As for tobacco that should be available over there, I'd recommend makers such as McClelland (my favourite), Cornell & Diehl, GL Pease for starters. Many other great blenders around too.

Your pipe will need to break in so don't expect wonders straight off. Get a mixture rahter than a flake tobacco at first as it's easier to use. Put some in the bowl and press down lightly, then out more and press a bit harder until you get it filled. Leaves the tobacco in the bottom loose so the smoke hole doesn't clog.

Light with a match or lighter, doesn't matter, but try not to burn the rim of the bowl. You may well need another light after tamping the tobacco down. No shame! I often relight three or four times before I get to the bottom.

My late uncle who introduced me to the pipe many years ago used to smoke more matches than tobbacco.

Enjoy!

Gareth

 

[richmondesi]

I re-light more than that

 

[timeh]

once you have the hang of it, a pipe is one of the greatest things on a cool summer day sitting on the porch just before taking out the harmonica, but yeah they all just look so pretty you will end up buying alot of them.

 

[LegalEagle143]

Wow! Thanks guys!

I'm going to need to go on a tobacco hunt now! The wife will love this...

I'm intrigued by the McClelland tobacco...that's my surname.

 

[billc508]

It's all a matter of preference but if you can, go to a store that is a real tobacconist where you can find good, fresh tobacco. You probably are in possession of an english briar which are good and give a cool smoke. Get yourself a little pipe tamping tool, looks like a nail with a broad round head on it. Tamp the tobacco down with the tamper to get a good pack after you load your pipe then every once in a while as the tobacco burns down, give it a little light tamp once in a while to compress the hot coals down onto the lower unburned tobacco in the bowl, this way you can smoke your pipe all the way down without having to continuously re-light. Get yourself a little package of wicks and after you have smoked your pipe and enptied it out of remains ( do not whack it over anything hard to do this, the heel of your hand will do nicely) push one of the little wicks through the stem and leave it in the pipe to absorb moisture so you don't get a mildew taste after a while. good luck bc

 

[timeh]

The problem too is that a lot of people say you should have a different pipe for each tobacco so that you can get the pipe worked in for the taste to come out perfectly. well maybe thats not a problem its gives me an excuse to get a new pipe for a new tobacco to try

 

[scottish steve]

Check out

www.tobaccoreviews.com

More than 2,000 tobaccos extensively reviewed.

Also, The Francks Method of pipe filling will save you a lot of grief if you get ino the habit of it from the start. A good pipe will last you several decades if treated right so scoure the internet for tutorials etc. Its another dying art. I'd recommend a Bjarne briar- The Danes really know their stuff and thick walls are much better than pretty shapes.

 

[Fnord5]

I picked up one of these, and it works really well, no chance of lighting your thumb on fire. It says disposable, but it can be refilled(and at a buck twenty five, who cares?)
http://www.amazon.com/Sidekick-Adjustable-Lighter-Assorted-Colors/dp/B001QX9F56