Proper Pipe Procedure Prevents Piss-Poor Puffing

[Mister Moo]

Some promo video shows Einstein gently puffing on a pipe and sez you don't have to be a genius to keep your pipe operating effortlessly. It suddenly ocurred to me that I was now totally comfortable with my pipe(s) as compared to a year ago.

It took about a year to feel pretty well tuned with pipe selection, tobak-pack, etc. No more mouthburn, tonguefire, dribble-gurgle pipe, etc. It is a combination of fine adjustments lately but, from the get-go, there are a number of larger issues you need to wrap your lips around.

So, from the year-or-more pipers: what's your key piece of advice to the entry level puffer or puffette in one (or more) the areas below?

1. Pipe selection
2. Tobak selection
3. Packing and lighting technique
4. Bric-a-brac
5. Storage
6. Cleaning

[icehog3]

P-P-P-P-P-P-P?

[hamncheese]

Looks like this could be a good thread. Some advice will definitely help me out.

[Big T]

Yep, I especially agree with Moo's point #2 about tobacco selection. A lot of it is just trial and error. Even some of the higher end tobaccos can burn hot. You just have to sample a lot and find the ones that work for you.

[The Pirate]

On pipe selection: The price of a pipe does not, in itself, determine how well the pipe will smoke. Wittness the lowly cob! It provides an outstanding smoke at a very low price. There are many pipe values looking for an owner.
Some of the best under $35 pipes include the MM cob, Savanelli Natural, Jake Hackert Custom Cobs ($15), Carey Magic Inch and Duncan Hill Aerospheres (the Careys and Duncan Hills are very inexpensive on Ebay...$5 to $20. For your first hand carved pipe, I would suggest a Boswell, starting at about $50.
These are by no means the only fine smoking inexpensive pipes available, but it is a good starting point.
Ken

[Mister Moo]

Originally Posted by The Pirate

On pipe selection: The price of a pipe does not, in itself, determine how well the pipe will smoke. Wittness the lowly cob! It provides an outstanding smoke at a very low price. There are many pipe values looking for an owner.
Some of the best under $35 pipes include the MM cob, Savanelli Natural, Jake Hackert Custom Cobs ($15), Carey Magic Inch and Duncan Hill Aerospheres (the Careys and Duncan Hills are very inexpensive on Ebay...$5 to $20. For your first hand carved pipe, I would suggest a Boswell, starting at about $50.
These are by no means the only fine smoking inexpensive pipes available, but it is a good starting point.
Ken

This is a point I'd like to continue on. I watched bro' Root explore new pipes with a depth gauge to check tenon length vs. motise depth(toothpick or pipe tool or something) and an LED keyring flashlight to inspect air hole location at the Raleigh pipe show. That was a good object lesson for me.

I had been less particular with some early pipes I bought to carefully inspect the total pipe.

• Stain or finish in the bowl?
• Less than perfect air hole drilling to the bowl's bottom/center?
• Pipe tenon meets the the mortise face closely?
• Pipe cleaner reaches from stem to stern without obstruction?
• Undisclosed fills or cracks?

The difference between a careful, thorough inspection and none at all might be the difference between a great smoking pipe (at any price) and a sorry drooling gurgler with pretty grain (for $200). I now study the airhole shape and location and make sure the tenon seat on or very near the mosrtise face. No droolers since (dripping wet tobacco notwithstanding).

There is so much already devoted to all this, I know, but thoughtful selection works way better than impulse selection with pipes over $5.00/ea. Know the pipe anatomy to choose wisely - http://www.aspipes.org/parts/parts1.html

[Syekick]

Bric-a-brac - Geez next thing we know we will all be doing needle point and trying to prohibit alcohol.

Just pulling your chain....

[Mister Moo]

Originally Posted by Syekick

Just pulling your chain....

Great. Take a number and get in line, S'ick.

[Mister Moo]

Bump. I know SOMEONE who knows something about pipe smoking will share categorized tips and advice for new-to-pipes persons. The list of joiners is growing.

OK - I'm on my own....

#4. Bric-a-brac:

The right tamper(s). Warning. There is not one right tamper to cover all pipes. The famous multitool is good but it has a minor problem that shows up sooner or later. The tamper's pad may catch some ash or embers on the top side and, when withdrawn from the pipe, may carry them along with. And dump them on your shirt, trouser or sofa.

The custom tamper made for me by Root (poly-putty mixed with color, coffee grounds and glow-in-the-dark stuff) has a uniform diameter and, as such, tends not to carry anything up and out. This is a small thing - a fine point - but when you burn a hole in your shirt with the multitool tamper you'll know what I mean. I use the multi all the time but am careful (now).

The nail tamper will fit into narrow diamter bowls (like the famous $35 Tsuge chimney) that a larger tamper will not. I like the nail a lot because I made it myself (ground and buffed the point to a modest chisel) and it costs a dime.

Got a $5.00 cob? Bump your bowl clean on a curb or your shoe sole. Got a meer or anything else you care about? For $1.50 you get a cork with a self-adhesive patch on the bottom that sticks in the ashtray of your choice. The cork is a good thing to have around.

[The Pirate]

Ok, I will take a shot at the aspect of smoking a pipe. Never puff hard to keep a pipe lit. It could restlt in a hot smoke accompanied by scorched tongue. It is far better to let the pipe go out and relight it. Never continue smoking a pipe if it is hot to the touch against your cheek. Let the pipe go out and relight it.
Make sure your pipe is not packed too tight. If it is any effort at all to draw on the pipe it will result in a hot smoke. A tightly packed bowl causes you to draw harder which in turn makes stem in the shank causing a hot wet smoke.
Ken

[nimravus01]

Originally Posted by Mister Moo

So, from the year-or-more pipers: what's your key piece of advice to the entry level puffer or puffette in one (or more) the areas below?

1. Pipe selection
2. Tobak selection
3. Packing and lighting technique
4. Bric-a-brac
5. Storage
6. Cleaning

Okay, here are my opinions on a couple of these topics.

Pipe Selection For new pipe smokers, please don't be overwhelmed at the vast array of pipes, (and prices,) to choose from. Pick something you feel comfortable with and that you see yourself smoking, but, won't break the bank. Every tobacconist I know has "basket pipes" for under $30 that provide great enjoyment. Most of us pipe smokers, who've been collecting/smoking for many years, tend to set our sights on more expensive, higher end pipes, but, we all started out with a cheap first pipe. It's kinda like your first car, in a way. Maybe it's a hand-me-down, or a bone stock Geo Metro, but, it will get you around. Later on, if you want to spend the money, you go for the BMW. It still gets you from point A to B, but, with a little more style

Cleaning I meet a lot of pipe smokers that never had any guidance on this subject. Always, always, always clean your pipe after every bowl. For you sportsmen out there, you clean your guns after every trip to the range don't you? So often should your pipe be cleaned as well. All it takes is a few fluffy pipe cleaners through the stem until they come out white and one in a "U" shape in the bowl, then, let it rest for the next time.
After about a month and a half of moderate to heavy smoking, a good swabbing of the stem with alcohol is advised. A word of warning, be careful when using alcohol, because, it can strip the stain off your pipe if it touches the outside.
Also, a little goes a long way.