Beginner needing some info

[James]

Originally Posted by RJpuffs

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.

Well you see that was the conclusion I was coming to before the feedback here. I'm not a cigarette fan and cigars are great when other people are smoking them. I have tried a hooka once and enjoyed that perfectly well. The question is can you get the good stuff (that is in the second hand smoke) as the primary smoker or are you burdoned with the burnt tobacco smell and nothing else - I'm led to believe now that there is some niceness there and the rest is technique

[James]

Originally Posted by 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.

I've been reading into the Frank method for the first time today. I'll try some of the sipping techniques first then move on to that (thanks for the link)

It certainly sounds like I'm smoking it too fast so I'll try slowing it right down.

"Also, just because a pipe is a briar, doens't mean it is a good pipe"
OK, how do I tell?

I'll question the coating once I start to think I could be doing at least some of the rest of it correctly
Vodka?! Well there you go - available in the UK?

Thanks again for the info

[Rolando]

"Also, just because a pipe is a briar, doens't mean it is a good pipe"
OK, how do I tell?

Let's not get too far off into left field here. There are differences in pipes that make the experience more enjoyable but you will drive yourself crazy if you information overload after only a few sessions with the pipe.

Try to keep it simple for now. Loosely fill the pipe and smoke. If you don't like the tobacco try something else. Deal with one problem at a time. If you try to master pipe smoking all at once you will become frustrated and find it impossible because the "experts" seldom agree.

If you are careful you can just use straight rubbing alcohol. I have used it for years with no consequence.

[morefifemusicanyone]

Originally Posted by James

I've been reading into the Frank method for the first time today. I'll try some of the sipping techniques first then move on to that (thanks for the link)

It certainly sounds like I'm smoking it too fast so I'll try slowing it right down.

"Also, just because a pipe is a briar, doens't mean it is a good pipe"
OK, how do I tell?

I'll question the coating once I start to think I could be doing at least some of the rest of it correctly
Vodka?! Well there you go - available in the UK?

Thanks again for the info

No idea about availability in the UK. Any grain alcohol will work, some people like to use burbon too so I am told. I don't drink alcohol, so I just got the Everclear to keep with my pipe supplies.

As far as how to tell, look for the stamp as others have suggested. Really, the solidity of construction, even thickness of the bowl, etc. make a good pipe. My point I was trying to make was that a lower ql pipe may affect the smoking experience. Ql does not always equate with price, but higher ql pipes are usually more expensive. Another reason to recommend a cob for beginners. For the most part, a cob is a cob and isnt affected by variables such as the quality of the briar used, ect. Generally, drugstore pipes are of lower ql than pipes bought from a reputable manufacturer (though not always). I personally would recommend pipes made by J.M. Boswell here in the USA. http://www.boswellpipes.com/ His pipes have an excellent reputation (though I have only owned one, it was my favorite pipe and smoked beautifully) and are very well priced. I don't know how international shipping works though.

Glad you are persevering. Once you get the technique down, you will find the experience of smoking a pipe is even more enjoyablle than enjoying the room note from someone else smoking.

[morefifemusicanyone]

Originally Posted by Rolando

If you are careful you can just use straight rubbing alcohol. I have used it for years with no consequence.

Straight rubbing alcohol does work, though make sure you let your pipe dry out for a couple of days before smoking it again. If you smoke it too soon, you will notice a taste/smell residue from the rubbing alcohol.

[Rolando]

Meh. Just clean it before you go to bed. Don't use too much alcohol and place it somewhere where the air moves. It'll be good enough by morning.

[morefifemusicanyone]

Originally Posted by Rolando

place it somewhere where the air moves. It'll be good enough by morning.

Hehe, my smoking stuff is in the basement. Basment + MN Summer = not dry.

[James]

OK the pipe has Prima de chacom stamped on it, does that help?

Agreed about trying to do too much - I'll probably only change one thing at a time but wanted as much info as possible (which I have).

So what's rubbing alcohol, where do I get it and what do I do with it?

"you will find the experience of smoking a pipe is even more enjoyablle than enjoying the room note from someone else smoking"
That's the ultimate encouragement for me, hope you're right!

[Mister Moo]

Originally Posted by Rolando

... the "experts" seldom agree...

Yes they do.








Heh heh.

[Rolando]

So what's rubbing alcohol, where do I get it and what do I do with it?

It should be where first aid things are sold. Usually you just dip a pipe cleaner in it and run it through the stem after several bowls. If you think there is something in the bowl that is messing with your smoke you can take the more extreme measure of cleaning it with the alcohol. I usually use a clean old rag and put just a little on the cloth and stick it in the bowl with my finger or pipe tool and work it around a little. Just be careful not to touch the exterior of the pipe with the rubbing alcohol.

[James]

Gentlemen, I thank you!

The sip was my problem, sipping makes pipes ace! Pretty much every puff gave me the mell I was after, thoroughly chuffed!

Tried snorking again but still didn't get much out of that - it was the smell I was after, now I have it. Many thanks to all who contributed, I'm now a pipe smoking convert

[Mister Moo]

Originally Posted by Rolando

[rubbing alcohol] should be where first aid things are sold.

do you distinguish between the common 70% and less common 91% alcohol?

I am strictly a 91% man. No tincture of wintergreen, either.

[Rolando]

I think mine is 70 percent. I am not sure. I never took the time to notice so it must not be that big of an issue.

[morefifemusicanyone]

The 91% may clean a little better due to the purity. The most important thing is to make sure it is not scented. That will leave a nasty flavor in your pipe for sure.


Glad everything worked out.

[Rolando]

Originally Posted by morefifemusicanyone

The 91% may clean a little better due to the purity. The most important thing is to make sure it is not scented. That will leave a nasty flavor in your pipe for sure.


Glad everything worked out.

Why would I care if it is cleaned "better" when I am just going to smoke it again? It is clean enough. Tell you what... I will go out and get a bottle of everclear which is supposed to be the most ideal cleaner and compare after my next cleaning.