Holmes: "You know my method. It is founded upon the observance of trifles."

[Irish Bob]

I think I'm beginning to get the hang of this pipe smoking business...packing the pipe, getting the thing to light in the first place, tamping down with just the right pressure as the tobacco burns down the bowl, etc But there are still one or two mysteries that baffle novices like me.

I have two Peterson Standard System P-Lip 314 shape pipes. In one Peterson's Old Dublin tastes wonderful and in the other it is a pretty horrible smoke.

They were both bought new and I started breaking them in at the same time and in the same way...so why the difference?

I have also noticed that Squadron Leader is great in the Stanwell Calabash but only OK in the Rhodesian, while with Robert McConnell's Oriental the opposite is true. Is this fairly standard?

Cheers

[burninator]

Did you break in each pipe with a specific type of tobacco or with a variety? New pipes (and I suppose old) have a way of taking on the taste of the tobacco you smoke in them, especially if the tobacco has a strong taste, like an English blend would. Your Old Dublin may be competing with the ghosts of previous leafs.

[Scott M]

Originally Posted by Irish Bob

...I have two Peterson Standard System P-Lip 314 shape pipes. In one Peterson's Old Dublin tastes wonderful and in the other it is a pretty horrible smoke.

~

I have also noticed that Squadron Leader is great in the Stanwell Calabash but only OK in the Rhodesian, while with Robert McConnell's Oriental the opposite is true. Is this fairly standard?

Not uncommon at all. You'll find it's actually pretty common if you talk to the RFOGs, (REALLY fluckin old guys), that have been smoking pipes since Christ was a mess cook. Some pipes just pick the tobacco they like, and it's fighting mother nature to try and change it.



Scott"gowiththeflow"M

[Irish Bob]

Originally Posted by Scott M

Not uncommon at all. You'll find it's actually pretty common if you talk to the RFOGs, (REALLY fluckin old guys), that have been smoking pipes since Christ was a mess cook. Some pipes just pick the tobacco they like, and it's fighting mother nature to try and change it.



Scott"gowiththeflow"M

That's interesting...I was wondering if I should give up on the rough smoking 314. It might be a case of finding a blend it likes!

[watson]

dear Bob, as an 'rfog' (where in heaven did scott come up with that) i think as well as the other reasons the other chaps have given, sometimes the briar will have slight variations and may not be so mature or from a diffrent batch,a 'rofb' or a 'rnfb' . you'll find some smoke sweet others don't, it's the luck of the draw.

great title Bob for the post, you really make me feel at home.

[LSU Tiger]

Originally Posted by watson

as an 'rfog' (where in heaven did scott come up with that)

Watson, it came from U ncle S am's M isguided C hildren! Sounds like a "crew-served problem," doesn't it?

[watson]