Beginner needing some info

[James]

Oh not many, half a dozen or so times so far

Doing quite a lot of reading and it seems I'm not alone with my bad tastes at first. The general advice appears to be try lots of tobaccos (I guess this new smoker trader thing encourages that?)

What's a sip, is it just a shallow puff?

[dogsplayinpoker]

a "sip" is like a sip of coffee. You lightly draw in a little bit of smoke. By smoking this way you won't overheat your pipe and you may taste some flavors.
I had a Stanwell pipe a long time ago that was pre-coated. I had no idea what this was or how it would affect taste. It was horrible!! Rubbery, carbon, ash tray tastes for the first 5 or 6 smokes. I now know that I could have sanded the inside of the bowl and been better off.
You may like latakia in the future. It gives a spicy taste. I only mention it because it is fairly strong smelling and you will taste it in a bowl.
In the WTS/WTB/WTT section of the Pipe Forums is where you will find the Newbie Sampler Trade area. You may have to post a few more times to get access but when you can, sign up.

[TheTraveler]

Originally Posted by James

"Sign up for the new pipe smoker trade"
What's that then?

Check this thread out:

http://www.clubstogie.com/vb/showthr...ght=pipe+trade

The first page gives you the rules and general ideas behind the newbie sampler trade for pipes. This trade lets new pipe smokers try a variety of pipe tobaccos that more experienced pipe smokers think the newbie will like as well as giving an opportunity for the newbie to get involved in CS and meet new people on the forums.

[Senator]

A sip to me is drawing just hard enough to get a little bit of smoke into your mouth....like you'd sip a good scotch. Like drinking scotch, you sip a small amount and then let the fumes drift through the nasal cavity. Unlike drinking scotch, remember to exhale and don't swallow!!!

I had exactly the same experience as you in the beginning. The taste wasn't the best...but it was due to what I was smoking, how I was smoking, and how I was prepping my pipe. I stuck with it because I felt there was so much potential. After 2 years smoking a pipe, I'm glad I did!! And, I'm still learning everyday how to get more out of the experience.

Have fun with it and don't pressure yourself to "get it" right away. You will have those "ah ha" moments....just enjoy the journey.

[James]

I've been puffing way more than the sip you described for sure. Maybe that's part of it

You never know then, another smoke and everything might right itself! I guess it's too late to sand now?

Thanks for the link but I guess I need to post more - getting a forbidden message. Does anyone know how many posts before I can view it? Sounds like it'd be ideal - are there many people in the UK doing this?

[James]

Senator - thanks for that description, I'll give it a try
I take some solice in the comments posted up, much appreciated guys
Fingers crossed it'll all work out in the end and I can go about getting larynx cancer

[smokehouse]

You said the tobacco blend had some cavendish in it and from my experence cavendish tobacco should be sipped real slow.

I can not smoke cavendish tobacco in a briar. I get the nasty ash taste you described. I prefer to smoke cavendish tobacco in a cob. Go get you a $5.00 cob from the drug store and try some of that tobacco in it and sip it real slow and I bet you get a whole different taste.

[James]

I thought a corn cob would get recommended - ideally I'd like to stick with the one I've got but if I get desperate I might try it

[Mister Moo]

Originally Posted by James

Mister Moo -

What the hell is a snork?! Is there a trick to the 'snork'?

So do you guys not inhale the smoke after it's been exhaled at all?

Some people inhale a pipe and, much to my surprise, about 35% of cigar smokers inhale IIRC. Read the "Nose Smoking" thread: http://www.clubstogie.com/vb/showthr...t=nose+smoking

Snorking, or nose smoking, is a non-inhaling process that pushes smoke from your mouth around thru to, and out of, your nose. The sinuses and nostrils get the aroma but the lungs stay clear. This is NOT a french inhale (out of the mouth and inhaled up thru the nose). It is where the real flavor is found for many of us.

[James]

Unfortunately I'm not allowed to view that thread either - you guys are mean to newbies!

I believe I have tried the snorking and not had any degree of pleasure. Maybe sip then snork will be more enjoyable, I'll have a go!

[Senator]

Originally Posted by James

Unfortunately I'm not allowed to view that thread either - you guys are mean to newbies!

I believe I have tried the snorking and not had any degree of pleasure. Maybe sip then snork will be more enjoyable, I'll have a go!

Yes, definitely sip and snork. Too much hot smoke blown through the nose will burn and make your eyes tear.

Also, some blends are not good for nose exhalation. Virginia/Perique blends will sting a little....but I still do it.

[Rolando]

I think I was allowed in the special areas after only a couple of days. But then I never shut up.

[James]

I haven't had teary eyes but it's just been a rubbish taste/smell sensation. Perhaps I was being a little ham fisted and just needed to sip - will try and report back
I want to get to the special area!

[RJpuffs]

Originally Posted by James

...
The problem I have is that smoking it, generally, is rubbish! Let me elaborate

Have you ever smoked tobacco before? Cigars, ciggies, hookas, anything? The "taste" of tobacco comes from burning it, it don't taste like pie

My wife tried sipping from my pipe, even an aromatic tasted like "hot steam" to her. However, she enjoyed a puff from a cigar her sister was smoking one evening - go figure.

[morefifemusicanyone]

Great suggestions given so far.

For packing, I would recommended the Frank Method of packing. I had real trouble in the beginning, then I found this and it helped make sense. Even if you don't do it exactly as he does, you get the idea.

Here is the first video on Youtube. Three parts. I have seen it described, but the vid was more helpful. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJP0JaNRw6Q

It sounds to me like you are smoking too fast/bowl coating. Keep persevering. I too would recommend a cob pipe. They are dirt cheap, and will allow you to take a pipe coating out of the equation. Also, just because a pipe is a briar, doens't mean it is a good pipe.

If you figure out it is the coating, then you can look at smoking it down or sanding it out. I leave that up to someone else to describe though as I have never had to sand out a coating.


Also, I didn't see if anyone answered what Everclear was. It is a strong proof vodka available at liquor stores. Alcohol works great to clean the pipe out as it breaks down the tar left from tobac. Be careful not to get it on the outside of your pipe though. Any alcohol will work (though rubbing alcohol may leave an unpleasant smell) but a bottle of everclear will last you for ever and only cost ~15 bucks (if you don't drink it. It tastes like fire anyway. )

Hope that helps. Stick with it, Cigars are wonderful, and so are pipes. They are both different experiences.