I know I'm new

[andrew]

I thougt I'd post an update on my bacco and pipe situation as it stands right now.

I recenlty got my third pipe (non-basket anyway) in the mail from boswells and got some Northwoods for a sample. Pipe smokes well but I've noticed a gurgle after a bit if I dont hold it parallel to the marching surface. Also ordered a pipe from ANDpipes.com. Great site, cheap but decent meers which I'm happy with so far. I smoke it the most now next to the Bos. Aside from the Northwoods, I got a tin each of Squad Leader, Escudo, and Nightcap (which I'll need to get more of). I've found that I really enjoy each very much, but I have a hard time detecting the flavor difference (I may need to slow down a bit to do so). I'm currently smoking And So to Bed from esoterica (delightful imo) out of the bos. My next tins will be Royal Yacht, Da Vinci, and one other (open to suggestions).

I'm looking at getting a lighter in the next short while but I'll have to wait until I can afford a decent one.

I've noticed that in some of my stems that the pipe cleaner will scratch it on the inside when I pull it out, was wondering if this causes problems, or if its something I shouldnt worry myself over.

Also, I'd like to know what lured you into pipe smoking in the first place.

ready, go!

Edit: I'd like to add that my girlfriend has shown a distaste in my habit as of recently so I get the guilt trip everytime I smoke. I just tell her to keep wagging her finger.

[dmkerr]

You're NEW to pipe smoking??!?!?

With all the stuff you bought, you're an instant veteran! Do you mean you skipped the aromatics or drug store burleys we pipers usually start with? Oh, my!

Escudo and Nightcap are as different as can be. I haven't opened my tin of Squadron Leader yet so I can't comment on that one. Good luck finding Royal Yacht. I think I got the last 3 tins. But I think it'll be back. If you've found some, good for you! It's great.

I've never worried about pipe cleaners scratching the inside of a stem. I have pipes that are several decades old and no problems of that nature.

I got into pipes to quit smoking cigarettes. It took awhile but it finally worked. I smoked both for a few years, getting my nicotine addiction fulfilled by the cig and my pleasure from the pipe. Now I can't even tolerate the smell of cigarette smoke! Ex-smokers are the biggest A-holes! LOL!

Welcome! Stick around. It's great in here!

[Quick_nick]

Try slowing down on smoking speed and letting the baccy sit out of the tin for about 15 minutes to take some of the edge off, that may help the gurgle.

[andrew]

Originally Posted by dmkerr

You're NEW to pipe smoking??!?!?

With all the stuff you bought, you're an instant veteran! Do you mean you skipped the aromatics or drug store burleys we pipers usually start with? Oh, my!

Escudo and Nightcap are as different as can be. I haven't opened my tin of Squadron Leader yet so I can't comment on that one. Good luck finding Royal Yacht. I think I got the last 3 tins. But I think it'll be back. If you've found some, good for you! It's great.

I've never worried about pipe cleaners scratching the inside of a stem. I have pipes that are several decades old and no problems of that nature.

I got into pipes to quit smoking cigarettes. It took awhile but it finally worked. I smoked both for a few years, getting my nicotine addiction fulfilled by the cig and my pleasure from the pipe. Now I can't even tolerate the smell of cigarette smoke! Ex-smokers are the biggest A-holes! LOL!

Welcome! Stick around. It's great in here!

My local smoke shop has a tin of nightcap and a couple of royal yacht held for me so I can pick them up this friday. I bought a couple ounces of an aro called Norseman which had a vanilla flavor. I stuck with it a bit, but didnt like the flavor. I soon discovered And So to Bed and that got me away from most aros (especially the cheap bulk ones that the shop had to offer).

[dogsplayinpoker]

Andrew, you certainly have a great start. I wouldn't worry about the pipe cleaner issue. The gurgling could be you or it could be the pipe. There are so many variants, how you load the tobacco, if you are clenching the pipe and more saliva gets into the stem, etc.
I just stock up on pipe cleaners!!
Don't really know the "why" I get into pipe smoking. I was a new Father and wanted to be like some of the "cool" actors I enjoyed watching in the older movies. "White Christmas" comes to mind. Bing was just about as suave as they come. I took up cigars a little before pipes. They were a passion for a good while but the flavor profiles in pipe tobacco is far more interesting to me now.

[dartplayer1]

Andrew,

One thing you may want to check on your pipe cleaners is one end may have a sharp bend from the cutting process it seems most all of mine do.

If it does have that bend it will scratch the bit for sure.

[Professor Mike]

Andrew:
Slow down. I know you have a tendency to puff too aggressively. As far as lighters go I recommend the Old Boy in flat Black. Can be found on line for about $79.00. If you have an source for R Y leave me note in my mail box at the Lab. I started pipe smoking in 1970 during my second year of grad school as means of relaxation. My molecular biology professor got me started. Also I want to see your new pipes. Tell the gril friend to be thankful you don't dip


Mike

[RJpuffs]

Originally Posted by andrew

...
Edit: I'd like to add that my girlfriend has shown a distaste in my habit as of recently so I get the guilt trip everytime I smoke. I just tell her to keep wagging her finger.

Ah - you must deal with this immediately. Go to the nearest cigar store and buy the cheapest cigar they have. Fat and ugly looking is better. Take that back home and light up, and let the gal get a whiff. That should eliminate any complaints about the pipe in the future ... just remind her "I could smoke cigars instead" ...

[bigkev77]

Be sure you dedicate a pipe to latakia blends. Smoking Escudo in a pipe you smoked the SL out of may be why the it all tastes the same. Escudo and Squadron Leader are two of my all time favorites.

[Hermit]

Originally Posted by Professor Mike

Andrew:
Slow down. I know you have a tendency to puff too aggressively. As far as lighters go I recommend the Old Boy in flat Black. Can be found on line for about $79.00. If you have an source for R Y leave me note in my mail box at the Lab. I started pipe smoking in 1970 during my second year of grad school as means of relaxation. My molecular biology professor got me started. Also I want to see your new pipes. Tell the gril friend to be thankful you don't dip


Mike

Good prices on Old Boys here:
[SIZE=3]http://www.paylesslighters.com/html/__-_old_boy.html[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3][/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]Even better (69.99) for a flat black here:[/SIZE]
http://pufferspipes.com/html/lighters.html

[brado]

Welcome Andrew. BTW, as far as lighters goes, I just bought an insert for my Zippo that is the best thing I have tried so far. It was from Thunderbird. It uses the same butane that I have for my cigar lighter, but it has a flint AND a side hole for pipes. I love it. And it only cost $12.00!

[andrew]

Got a couple new tins today. Royal Vintage Dark Stoved and Penzance. I had a bowl of penzance and love it. Havent tried the Dark Stoved but I'm thinking its going to be somewhat similar to Stonehaven.

Now, time to choose what will be my smoke for tomorrow after dinner.

[Mad Hatter]

Originally Posted by dartplayer1

Andrew,

One thing you may want to check on your pipe cleaners is one end may have a sharp bend from the cutting process it seems most all of mine do.

If it does have that bend it will scratch the bit for sure.

Yep, you can try straightening it out with your fingers, snip it off with a pair of bathroom scissors or just turn it around.

Might try a charring light on your tobacco or dry it out as stated above. You don't want to ghost your new pipes with the flavor of a bad burn.

[andrew]

I've tried laying it out a bit before I load a bowl, but while it does help a bit I think the real problem (especially in the meer) is that the alignment of the hole going into the bowl is off. In the case of the meer, I couldnt even see the hole until I took a flashlight to it, and even then it was hard to see. I'll probably get a higher end meer before too long, but I'll just keep absorbing it with a pipe cleaner.

[Mad Hatter]

Originally Posted by andrew

I've tried laying it out a bit before I load a bowl, but while it does help a bit I think the real problem (especially in the meer) is that the alignment of the hole going into the bowl is off. In the case of the meer, I couldnt even see the hole until I took a flashlight to it, and even then it was hard to see. I'll probably get a higher end meer before too long, but I'll just keep absorbing it with a pipe cleaner.

If the alignment is off meaning its not flush with the bottom of the chamber then you can mix some pipe mud, ash and spit, and let it dry in the heal to raise it to the right level. If its not centered then just light on the side opposite the airway. I have two Stanwells drilled off-center and it works on them. Being a cheap meer its probably a tight airway because they are very well known for that.