Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

Yeah i guess that's the step i missed early on in the restoring research... Salt and Alchy with stem removed >.<

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

After you clean the pipe you have smoke by the fireplace, in the kitchen, surrounded by your loving family, just like Mister Moo.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._1332183_n.jpg

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

Well a couple estate pipes showed up this week, i hope to get some pics up soon. This one is some what troubling though. I really love this Jeantet pipe I picked up but it looks like it maybe suffering from burn out. Can I get some Old Farts to chime in please :confused:

http://67.222.135.199/vb/picture.php...pictureid=4914

Thank you
Chris

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

Take some picks let's see what ya got going on.

FWIW most estate pipes that I have acquired ( especially from EGay ) require a lot of love, work, booze, butt load of pipe cleaners, and elbow grease to get back into smoking condition.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

This pic didn't come through? I see it in the post >.<
Let me see what else I can try...
How about this?
http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/2213/jeantet.jpg

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

I see a little irregularity in the cake - no biggie, that. Smooth it out a little and make sure no unburned flakes are trapped in those chunks. Why are you suspecting this pipe is burned out?

A burnout is going to grossly enlarge the airhole where it enters the chamber, make a pretty obvious pit on the wall of the chamber, create a burn mark on the outside of the pipe and, maybe, tip itself off with a super-hotspot you feel while smoking the pipe before something else pops up.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

Just get some ultra fine sandpaper and wrap it around your finger and give it a few spins through there. That will even it out.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

I had thought it maybe a burn out because it looked to be deeper into the wall then an area that looked to be clean briar but it could just be a lighter section of cake. I'll clean it up guys, thanks

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

Chris I found that using a dull butter knife works best for me. I purchased a adjustable reamer, but I found that for evening out cake the butter knife works best. Just dont use one with a serrated edge :c....

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

:D...You have some new designs on the inside wall of the bowl Frank?

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

When I'm wet sanding a black stem with micro mesh, why do I get brown residue? Am I supposed to continue until I don't get any more brown residue? Even if the stem appears black?

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

As surface oxidation is cleaned off with light rubbing the stem goes to black; rub out evenly with finer and finer cloth until polished to a wet-glass sheen.

Practice on making a mirror finish on your thumbnail if you want to see how it works. When you're done you can look into it and comb your hair if the light is right. :D

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

So I've been looking into pipe smoking for the past week since my cigar costs are going through the roof and I stumbled onto the pipe section here :tu I am such a newb it hurts, because I have no idea what anyone is talking about on most posts.

I started reading the beginning of this thread and found a few helpful pointers

I found a decent corncob pipe based on a post somewhere in the first few pages
http://www.corncobpipe.com/product.php?productid=16140
What else do I need for it? Filters, new stems, etc... like the suggested items section says? Do I still need all the tools and pipe cleaners since its a corn cob pipe?

I also read that I should start with pipe tobacco that is commonly available in drug stores and grocery stores, but I looked and the stores around here don't have any, I asked too, and i'd have to go into Austin (an hour drive) so what's available on the internet that might be good for a newb like me who is used to cigars?

Finally, is there a website that has how to's for filling the pipe, etc...? Because I don't know a single person who smokes a pipe in the real world and I have a feeling finding out exactly how to do everything through this post would be time consuming, and I know there are probably things I wouldn't even know to ask since I've never even held a pipe before :r

Basically, I have no idea even where to start except that site for corn cob pipes, and sites that sell pipe tobacco listed here in the pipe section of CA

Thanks

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

You can lose the filters - almost everyone does. Yes to fluffy-type pipecleaners and yes to a cheap multi-tool scraper/tamper or, as many prefer, a big-ass nail with the point ground off or a golf tee. They have golf tees in Texas, do they not? :D

The cob that's best is made by Missouri Meerschaum; China and Korean imports kinda suck. No need for extra stems if you don't sit on the pipe or starting chewing on it real munchy-like.

Carter Hall, Prince Albert or Half&Half are good starters. If you can't find any at a grocery or drugstore check out jrcigar.com pipe section. Lots of online options.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

Thank you for the answer :tu

I'll be ordering the Great Dane Egg after I get back from SC in december, and that will give me time to research some pipe tobacco and smoking technique

And I can get a golf tee :r

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

SC? That is the land of abundant pipes and tobacco.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

I want to remove that, well whatever it is from the inside bowl of my Peterson. Would I be ok with just sanding down the inside with some 100 grit sandpaper?

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

Haha, but my wife's family is full of cigar smokers, so that's where november's tobacco budget went. I'll definately be starting pipes asap though, the more I look, the more interested I get, its definitely looking like something I could really get into

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

You can sand it out, but the consensus is that it is easier to just smoke a couple bowls in it than it is to sand out and risk scraping up the rim.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

If it's a new Pete, you are talking about nasty stain. If it's an old Pete you're talking about - nasty cake? Which it is?

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

Don't go near it with sandpaper, especially if you want to keep the rim in good shape. What that stuff is, is a carbon cake applied to the inside of the bowl to ease the break-in period. Not sure if it helps or not. But, it isn't a big deal to just leave it.

Peace of the Lord be with you.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

I have a great Dane Egg and I love it! MM cobs are awesome!

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

Great to hear :tu i'd hate to buy a bad pipe for the first impression

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

Well the Jeantet has had it's cake "adjusted". I tried w/ some 400 grit sand paper but I couldn't really get my sausage fingers in there and I was worried about miffin up the rim too much. The bowl also seems to kind of flare as it gets deeper, almost a slight oval cut not a straight chamber. I ended up w/ a smooth butter knife as BigFrank had suggested and it worked quite well. I shaved down a lot of the irregularities and smoked it the other day. Seems to smoke great though maybe a bit hot, could be me as well, or the Lane 1Q (seemed tempting at the time). The remaining crevices are already filling in nicely. Now it's on to cleaning the new Brebbia, Calabash, and Peretti sitter I picked up =D

Thank you guys very much
Chris

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

A few more questions

Since I've tracked down which pipe I'm going to start off with, and its a corn cob, anything I should know? There appear to be a ton of kinds of pipe tobacco, and from what I read, they can leave after tastes, is this a concern with a cob pipe? How often should I clean it, and how should it be cleaned?

I know it was recommended that I start with the drug store stuff, but I happen to be the kind of person who shoots straight for the good stuff just because I like to hit the ground running. Since I'm not new to smoking, just pipes, is it still a concern to start with something that generally has good reviews from more seasoned smokers? Or is it a don't waste good stuff when you don't know how to fill a pipe sort of thing? Reason being, there is a pipe store close that I normally buy cigars from and since I never looked at the pipes there, I didn't even remember they sold them there (its even called Pipe World :r) I assume they have good tobacco, and might even have the cheap stuff, so I am going to be starting pipes before I leave more than likely (got someone to buy a few of the handout cigars I was going to take with me :tu) so I will probably buy the pipe, cleaners, and some tobacco (I already have a golf tee :P)

The short version:
What should I know about corn cob pipes?
What should I know about putting different types of tobacco in the same pipe?
Is it necessary to start with drug store tobacco? What if I buy more expensive stuff
Any last advice before I go buy a pipe, pipe cleaners, and tobacco? I.e. should I buy anything else?

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

What should I know about corn cob pipes?
Take out the paper filter, and throw it away. I prefer the Straight stems over the Bent stems. The kink where the stem bends makes it difficult to pass a cleaner. The first couple smokes may taste like burning wood until you char the inside of the bowl and the stem in the bottom
What should I know about putting different types of tobacco in the same pipe?
Cobs don't have the tendency to ghost the same way that briar pipes do.
Is it necessary to start with drug store tobacco? What if I buy more expensive stuff
Go for it it's your money you can smoke whatever you want.
Any last advice before I go buy a pipe, pipe cleaners, and tobacco? I.e. should I buy anything else?
That will get you started

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

Thanks! :tu

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

New Pete with dipped stain and that pre carbon crap in the bowl. I swung into Home depot on my way home today and picked up 100-150-220 sandpaper. Did the trick nicely. Also used some 91% booze with q-tips to remove stain. Worked well.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

Anywhere I can buy Boswell's tobacco other than Boswell? They don't have online ordering.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

I'm one of those who hates the taste of stained bowls. I either avoid such pipes of soak it out before smoking. Others smoke through it out without complaint. Go figure. -(P

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

No, you have to call them.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

So I have been cleaning and finished with the salt/alcohol mix and am about ready to start looking for a few pipe tobaccos to taste.

These were my grandfathers and hadnt been touched in at least 10-15 years. They have actually come along way to get to this point.

http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p...t/101_0633.jpg
http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p...t/101_0634.jpg
http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p...t/101_0635.jpg
http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p...t/101_0636.jpg

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

I'd recommend reaming the inside of the bowl back to bare wood and performing another booze + salt treatment.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

I have been trying to build up my nerve to stick a butter knife in there and scrape/cut the old cake out. I am worried about cutting the wood.
with the salt/ booze mix, does finer salt work better say kosher salt?

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

Conventional widsom says kosher (no added iodine) salt. I never used anything but - no idea what happens with plain table salt. Anyone know firsthand?

Briar is plenty tough if head to head with the dull edge of a butterknife or pipetool scraper. As you drag an edge along that mess (over a wastebasket or outdoors - not over a white tablecloth) and the black chunks and fine black powder sift out you will have plenty of time to see bare wood grin through the carbonization. Work slowly, carefully, under a good light - no drama. You don't need to apply much force to scrape that stuff out, by the way.

In your "bowls eye view" photo the two on the left need work for sure, the two on the right look like they were reamed recently and the one in the middle could use some evening out. The middle one, in another photo, also looks like it is burned on the outside - possibly a defect in the briar or grandpa smoked that pipe hard and fast. If you scrape it out a bit you may find a bad spot inside the bowl, through from the black mark. Go careful with that one - if there is a defect (and you love the pipe) it might be patchable with some pipe mud. Or it might have a little smudge of black paint on the outside in which case, forget what I just wrote. :)

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

thanks
great info

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

I have had a pipe for a few years. I smoke it maybe once a week but enjoy it hardly ever. I am having a real problem with keeping bowls lit, and the bowls get fairly hot. As far as I know I am filling the bowl correctly using the gravity/3 push/roll up way that everyone says is best. I am using estate Savinelli briars, which are in excellent shape and very well taken care of since I am very anal about cleaning. I have been smoking a mostly flavored Boswells sampler that I was given with the pipes when I bought them, with the occasional sopping wet store brand thrown in. It seems they all taste very bland to the point where it becomes a chore to make it past a quarter of the bowl.

Now for the questions after my life story.
1. Being a cigar smoker, is it best to get some heavy blends now (like GL Pease Odyssey/Abingdon) that I can really taste the flavors in? I am guessing that some of my problem is user error puffing entirely too fast to try to keep these bowls lit and actually experience some sort of flavor.
2. I think I am going to order a MM Country Gentleman to try new tobaccos in until I find the right blends/styles that I like. Thoughts?
3. What other brands would you recommend for someone who is used to a cigar type taste and not mildness for starting out to really get a feel for pipe flavors?

Thanks in advance old farts.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

After filling the pipe (before lighting) is the draw resistance anything more than verrrrrrrrry slight? I mean, if you put a match to it and draw, does the flame go straight down or is it packed too tight for that to happen? Whattaya think?

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

Alright, as some may have seen, I got a pipe :tu

I have some questions about smoking technique
When I fill it, I just lightly fill the bowl, then push the tobacco all the way down as far as it will go while still being mildly springy, then another loose fill and push down until mildly springy. It usually fills 3/4 of the bowl, and the draw is exactly how I like it, like drinking a thick milkshake when tested pre light if that makes sense. Am I doing it right?

When I light it, I do the false light thing by lighting it, tamping it down, and lighting again. I find that after I light it fully, I have to tamp it every puff to get a decent amount of smoke (remember, my frame of reference is cigars) is there something wrong or do pipes not produce mouthfulls of smoke? I also haven't had problems with the pipe going out, but that's because I've been tamping it every puff

How often should I puff? I wait 15-30 seconds a puff

Do I remove the ashes and stuff with the pipe tool when I'm done? I'm careful not to hit the edges with the scoop on the czech tool, but I am mainly after ashes and un burned tobacco

How much tobacco do you guys think I'll need for 2 weeks? :r I'm a pretty heavy smoker I guess, I've smoked 5 bowls all day, but I didn't touch a single cigar, so it was a little more heavy than I'd normally smoke. I have an Missouri Meerschaum uhh... Diplomat I think, the store just had them in a bin, and they were all the same, but i'd guess its a pretty average sized bowl

Thanks again, this thread has been so helpful its incredible

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

The resistance is less than a cigerette I would say. The flame also goes down into the tobacco. That could also be from the cigerette smoking I guess, drawing too hard maybe?

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

No - that's good. Filling too tightly is a common culprit for pipes needing constant relights.

Tobacco squished between thumb and index crumbles, springs back a good bit or stays smooshed?

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

Now for the questions after my life story.
1. Being a cigar smoker, is it best to get some heavy blends now (like GL Pease Odyssey/Abingdon) that I can really taste the flavors in? I am guessing that some of my problem is user error puffing entirely too fast to try to keep these bowls lit and actually experience some sort of flavor.
You can start off with some heavier blends, but what I would recommend would be to go at least a week without smoking anything. Allow your palate to get some rest. Then get a few different blends and go from there. FWIW I went from smoking 2-3 cigars a day to the pipe and I tried to rush the transition. Just grab a few blends that look good. There's a ton of pipe tobacco out there. We also have a newbie sampler trade for tobacco here http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=9168 Also, when smoking start by smoking VERY slowly. A pipe is better served by having relights than puffing too hard. In time, you will get the hang of it...I still to this day do not light a bowl once and finish it without a relight. One trick I have learned is when lighting for the first time. Take a few puffs, then let it go out then tamp the ash down some and relight. This is often called a charring light. After that, I put the flame to my tobacco and puff away like a powerhouse a half dozen times or so to get the tobacco going. From that point on I puff slowly. Every so often I blow slowly back into the bowl to keep the ember going and try to not tamp too often while smoking...But like I said I still need relights while smoking. If the tobacco goes out I do not try to force it back. I just let it go out, put the pipe down and go grab a refill on my drink or whatever. Come back and relight.
2. I think I am going to order a MM Country Gentleman to try new tobaccos in until I find the right blends/styles that I like. Thoughts?
Go for it, I have a few cobs that still get smoked regularly. Great pipes, and great to learn how to smoke in.
3. What other brands would you recommend for someone who is used to a cigar type taste and not mildness for starting out to really get a feel for pipe flavors?
There are many blends with actual cigar leaf in them. Key Largo, Robustio, Dominican Maduro & Glory are a few that come to mind. I would start with getting a few straight blends. Get a blend that is just Virginia, One heavy with Latakia ( odyssey is good here ) and maybe a straight Burley blend to learn how the tobaccos taste as a stand alone smoke. From there when you go to smoke blended tobaccos it makes it easier, well it did for me, to identify the tobaccos in the blend. Also, it helped me learn and pick up on what the blender is trying to accomplish.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

Looking for a simple inexpensive billiard pipe (no cobbies). I smoke on long car rides to and from work so often hold the pipe in my mouth/teeth Is there something or a way to do this without destroying the stem?

Thanks in advance farters. :r

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

You could try Softee Rubber pipe bits. Most people either love them or hate them, however.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

It takes maybe 2-3 seconds to spring back with the Boswells Christmas Cookie I smoked the other day. Once its in the bowl it still springs back when I push down on it. My Boswells Berry Cobbler stays smooshed. None of the 7 kinds I have crumble.

And thanks for the suggestions on blends and the advice BigFrank. Once Mister Moo figures out what I'm doing wrong I might have a good smoke. ;)

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

Easiest method I know is the 3 stage load. Gravity fill the pipe. Then push it down 1/2 way. Refill to top. Push down to 3/4. Fill again. Char light then tamp. That is my fail proof method for loading. Might also be the tobacco you are smoking. Moisture level, heavy casing or toppings can affect how well a tobacco smokes. When loading up the pipe take a few test puffs on the pipe. If there isnt enough drag you will have trouble keeping the pipe going. Load light at first test, you can always add more tobacco, and work from there. All things considered I would believe it may be your tobacco more than anything else.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

Pipe isn't soggy in the heel, is it? Sounds like your tobacco isn't too wet but maybe dry the tabak some more; change blends for a comparison, maybe. Things sound right to me.

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

An English blend for my first foray into pipe tobacco? Is this a good idea?

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

Sure. Try several of varying strength and latakia content.

I have never been a believer in the school of thought that says beginners should start with aromatics.

Cheers,
G

Re: New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart
 

Here is a good quote from G.L.Pease regarding the matter. Which my own experience entering the pipe word has led me to agree.

“I generally recommend a full flavored, but not strong tobacco to the beginner. They'll be much more likely to get some flavor from their early experiences, and it will be much easier, then, for them to apprehend the idea of 'slowing down,' which is crucial to a great smoke. Once they've learned some of the mechanics of pipe smoking, and their senses have become accustomed to some of the myriad flavors tobaccos can present, they are better armed to move into more subtle, or 'mild' blends. For the beginner, 'mild' tobaccos are generally far from mild!”