breaking in a new pipe, websites

[cigar9]

how and why do you have to break in a new pipe?
please list some good pipe websites and tobacco sites.
i have only smoked pipe a few times, and i am thinking about starting to get serious about it

[JohnRider]

Now, some people could probably write a 300 page novel on the RIGHT way to break in a pipe, but from a purely pragmatic viewpoint, you can break in a new pipe simply by using it. It takes a half dozen bowls or more just to get a nice layer of char built up in the bowl. Prior to building up this burnt layer in the bowl, the pipe tobacco might be a little harsh or off flavor because you are in effect smoking the bowl! Some pipes are more troublesome to break in than others. Also, during this breakin period, you should try to be conscious of how hot you are getting the pipe. Keeping the tobaccy at the right burning temperature is tricky at first...if you get it too hot, it won't taste very good and it can probably damage the bowl. Packing a pipe is more of an art than a science, so it will take practice to learn just the right way to load it up. Experience is really the only way to learn IMO. My suggestion is to buy a fairly cheap first pipe (say $25-30) and dive in. After you've gotten some experience, you will have a pretty good idea of what you want to do for your "good" pipe.

[SandPiper]

Originally Posted by JohnRider

Now, some people could probably write a 300 page novel on the RIGHT way to break in a pipe, but from a purely pragmatic viewpoint, you can break in a new pipe simply by using it. It takes a half dozen bowls or more just to get a nice layer of char built up in the bowl. Prior to building up this burnt layer in the bowl, the pipe tobacco might be a little harsh or off flavor because you are in effect smoking the bowl! Some pipes are more troublesome to break in than others. Also, during this breakin period, you should try to be conscious of how hot you are getting the pipe. Keeping the tobaccy at the right burning temperature is tricky at first...if you get it too hot, it won't taste very good and it can probably damage the bowl. Packing a pipe is more of an art than a science, so it will take practice to learn just the right way to load it up. Experience is really the only way to learn IMO. My suggestion is to buy a fairly cheap first pipe (say $25-30) and dive in. After you've gotten some experience, you will have a pretty good idea of what you want to do for your "good" pipe.

What he said. Good advice.