Puff Cigar Discussion Forums

dmkerr · 04-07-2009, 09:25 PM

...or perhaps blatherings!

Don't Savinelli Autograph pipes comes with THE coolest pipe socks? Nice, heavy leather/suede ones that you pinch in the upper corners to open. Your beloved pipe is definitely safe in these and they look way cool!

I enjoy inspecting the grain on smooth pipes, not just for the grain itself but also to view the pipemakers genius (or not!) in selecting just the right color of stain to show off what grain is there to its best advantage. This inspection began years ago when I decided the Randy Wiley pipe I owned might look nicer with a natural finish than the plum colored stain he used. After buffing all the stain off and inspecting it, it became obvious that Mr Wiley was more of an artisan than I. His plum stain made the random grain look quite nice, and the natural finish just highlighted the lack of symmetrical bowl coverage.

For those who buy pipes off the internet and are clenchers as I am... no matter how beautiful the pipe is, no matter how well it smokes or how prestigious it is, all is lost if the pipe isn't well balanced. A bottom heavy pipe that feels uncomfortable in the teeth doesn't get smoked much. Make sure you can return the pipe if its too heavy, but remember that weight alone isn't a negative... it's all in how the weight is distributed.

Anyone else have any random warblings to share?

Mad Hatter · 04-07-2009, 09:57 PM

Yes, I find it absolutely amazing how a huge fill can be completely invisible under a good coat of wax but when the normal use wears the wax down suddenly there it is, big, pink and unmistakable.

dogsplayinpoker · 04-07-2009, 10:49 PM

Pay no heed to the "body-type-to-pipe-shape" formula.
It is crap. I am short and stocky and love small billiards(6" long).
VERY random warble!

brianwalden · 04-07-2009, 10:59 PM

For me, smooth bowls are eye candy. All else equal, I'll buy a smooth pipe over a rusticated one just because they appeal more to my eye. But when I actually sit down and smoke a pipe I inevitably discover that the rusticated bowl I labeled an ugly duckling is like hand candy. My hand finds a rusticated pipe much more interesting while smoking.

SmokinJohnny · 04-08-2009, 01:04 AM

Yes, I favor the glossed champagne and orange smooth pipes. Nording seems to really capture the look I like.

I picked up my first rusticated pipe this evening. It's a stander for when I'm putzing in the garage. A Jobey with one of those replaceable bit inserts (in case I knock it off the workbench). The insert is clever and takes a pipe cleaner without dissambly. I really like the pipe. It has a good feel and smokes real nice. It's lightweight too.

I've spent some time gazing at Butz briar calabashes and I'll probably spring sometime in the near future. It's just plain classy looking. It's a bottom heavy design I'm sure but looks comfortable to hold.

It's getting to a point I'm smoking, rotating, dedicating, and caring for my pipes properly. I'm beginning to feel comfortable going over the $100 mark. Some blends I've discovered are so heavenly, the pipe has become more of a temple and you are compelled to splurge.

dillonmcmurphy · 04-08-2009, 05:09 AM

I had been wanting a Corona Old Boy for months, and finally got one. Ironically, I still find myself lighting up with matches half the time

dmkerr · 04-08-2009, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmokinJohnny

I've spent some time gazing at Butz briar calabashes and I'll probably spring sometime in the near future. It's just plain classy looking. It's a bottom heavy design I'm sure but looks comfortable to hold.

The one I have feels good in the teeth as well. I may have to open up the draw a little (in the stem, which is easier!) but it smokes reasonably well.

dmkerr · 04-08-2009, 02:07 PM

A couple more - this time on tobaccos

If you read the reviews on tobaccoreviews.com or here on Puffs, have you ever taken note of the reviewers that term a blend as "bitey"? I am not turned off by these reviews, as very often bite is the result of the smoker and not the blend.

Personal taste is hard to explain. There are some tobaccos that are well received that I do not care for. There are some that advanced pipesters turn their noses up at that I like. I prefer McClellands aromatic Best of Show to Pease's Westminster, and Boswell's Christmas Cookie to Dunhill Nightcap. I make no apologies for that. If we all are of the same opinion, what's the point of reviews? Or Puffs.com for that matter? If you have one favorite blend or 20, smoke what you enjoy and leave the rest alone. Life's too short.

VoteKinky06 · 04-08-2009, 02:54 PM

I have no experience with pipe tobacco yet, but have been following this forum closely for a while and am anxiously awaiting my first sampler from dedalus and cob from frenchy. That being said I have no reason to believe my pipe adventures will be any different than my approach to cigars with respect to reviews, I avoid them at all cost. I buy as many different types and samplers as I can afford and if anything read reviews later to see if others agreed with my verdict. Half the time they don't and I would have missed out on alot of great smokes had I avoided them based on reviews.

SmokinJohnny · 04-08-2009, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmkerr

If you read the reviews on tobaccoreviews.com or here on Puffs, have you ever taken note of the reviewers that term a blend as "bitey"? I am not turned off by these reviews, as very often bite is the result of the smoker and not the blend.

If one were to chug down an 8 oz glass of scotch like he does beer, it's likely he will burn his throat, feel nauseated, and his eyes will water. Unless of course he's immune to that. I have learned it is best to smoke several bowls before posting a review. With me, it seems to take time for the pallete thingy to draw the flavor with certain tobaccos. I will note it if that's the case. Plus tobaccos have their own character I think where you pick up on a rythym to get the best out of the baccy. There are some that tasted so crappy with the first bowl, I refused to give it another chance. In that case, I hesitate to post anything.

The toughest thing for me with the pipe was adapting to a proper puffing rythym. For years I did it wrong and made no effort to understand what I was doing. I guess this is why cobs and mild aromatics are recomended to beginners. Once I picked up on the rythym, I discovered a whole new world of flavor that would otherwise torch my mouth. I never got any real coaching either. This forum is where I learned I was doing it all wrong and I have learned a lot to getting it right. I doubt I will ever get it completely right but as long as I'm enjoying it, that's what really counts.

If a negative review has merit, that is OK with me as I am using those reviews to make tobacco buying decisions. I try to read between the lines too.

jfserama · 04-09-2009, 08:26 PM

One I learned. Don't judge a tobacco based on smell. I did this for my first pouch, and it wasn't at all what I was expecting. It had almost no flavor, and what little flavor it had was quite bad. How it smells is not a good indicator of how it will taste!

dmkerr · 04-10-2009, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfserama

One I learned. Don't judge a tobacco based on smell. I did this for my first pouch, and it wasn't at all what I was expecting. It had almost no flavor, and what little flavor it had was quite bad. How it smells is not a good indicator of how it will taste!

Here's a check and balance I use to determine by smell if I will like the tobacco or not. First, I have to like the tin (or pouch) aroma. Second, my kids have to hate it. If both variables work out, the chances are very good I will like the tobacco. If one or more variable does not work out, the chances diminish. There is definitely an inverse relationship between kids liking the aroma and me liking the taste. It works with wives as well!

Mister Moo · 04-10-2009, 11:28 AM

WARBLE: a few good pipes are way better than many bad pipes. Selection should be very thoughtful very slow-paced.

SmokinJohnny · 04-10-2009, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfserama

One I learned. Don't judge a tobacco based on smell. I did this for my first pouch, and it wasn't at all what I was expecting. It had almost no flavor, and what little flavor it had was quite bad. How it smells is not a good indicator of how it will taste!

Yes. The foulest smelling, goopiest pipe tobacco is the best tasting tobacco.