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

Ken,

Did you read this thread?

http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=44110

This really helped me get started and the MM Cobb and Carter Hall was a good start

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

I have been doing a good bit of reading on getting started, pipe and tobacco reviews but have not read that thread until now. Thanks.

I will keep on with the cheap cob for a while but plan to pick up a briar once I get the hang of smoking a pipe.

Thanks for all the great info guys. I think that I will really enjoy pipes just not the tobacco that I have sampled so far (Borkum Riff, Captain Black). Need to make a trip to the B&M to find something with flavor and save my tongue from getting burned up.

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

For an aromatic so far I've tried Lane 1Q and like it, it's supposed the most popular

I plan to order some Boswells this week which have come highly recommended

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

Hello guys,

This will be my first post, I have a few questions all at once. I have been smoking pipe+tobacco since 2003 and just never had any friends that shared my interest.

1. With a new pipe, what is the process in simple terms, of treating the wood to extend it's life? I have had a few pipes crack from I assume over heating.

2. Method of lighting tobacco, match, butane lighter, or zippo? Why? I have always preffered wooden matches, but zippo for ease of use.

3. What are some quality pipes that will not break the bank? I have spent anywhere from $20-$200 and been happy with my product. I do not know too much about what the wood was or who the maker of the pipe was.

I feel amazingly "noob-ish" for the last question, I have good pipes and know what I like. The last time I went out with one of my pipes, a gentleman asked me if my pipe was a ______ and I felt ignorant for truly knkowing nothing about it other than I like it.

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

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

I'd like to try to smoke a pipe occasionally and have two questions:

One is: I tried this before and was told to use a corn cob first as it is easier to break in as a started pipe, is that true?

Second is : I currently am a seasoned cigar smoker and when I started smoking cigars I was told to start off with milder cigars and work my way up gradually. But for me I hate mild or even medium smokes from the start, I feel it would be the same with a pipe, what is a nice strong, sweet flavorful blend to start with that is relaxing at night time? Anything helps, thanks! - Gabe

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

Cobs will break in a little quicker than briars. But most important if you f them up you are not out a lot.

Strong tobaccos that are readily available, nightcap, royal yacht both by Dunhill.

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

Damnit, why did I go right into the strong tobaccos first? Nightcap was LITERALLY my first tin purchase, HAHAHA... :pi:pi:pi

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

Cobs break in easily, and are cheap if you find that you do not like smoking a pipe.

Strong vs mild is different with pipe tobacco. What do you mean? Strong taste or nicotine strong?

I don't know which of these I'd call "strong," at least not compared to cigars. Each of these varies a bit. But do not expect the same volume of smoke from a pipe as you'd get from a cigar. If you get the same volume from a pipe as you get from a cigar, you will probably be frying your tongue - not a pleasant feeling.

These are a most of my favorite non-aromatic (tobaccos w/out some sort of flavoring added) tobaccos.

Escudo
Esoterica: Dorchester, Penzance, Durbar, Stonehaven
Gawith & Hoggarth: Lousisiana Flake, Bright CR Flake, Mixture #12, Bob's Chocolate Flake
McCelland: 5100, 2000, 2010, 2015, 2015, 2035, 5115, 5110, Christmas Cheer
Rattrays: Hal O The Wynd, Marlin Flake, Old Gowrie
Samuel Gawith: Full Virginia Flake, St. James Flake, 1792
Peter Heinrichs: Strong Dark Kentucky

Hope this helps.

Peace of the Lord be with you.

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

Hey Fella's,

Had a quick question, there is this pipe in this movie I have never seen before, I really like the design and was interested if anyone knew anything about it or where I might find one...

The picture below is a crude screen capture from the video,

[IMG]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8218/8...31de01bb_o.png pipe by Robulous78, on Flickr[/IMG]

Thanks for lending me your knowledge... :tu

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

That style is called a cavalier. That specific pipes looks like a Dunhill Cavalier http://www.cupojoes.com/cgi-bin/spgm...dunbry4103cavb

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

so that is a cavalier style pipe? I like it cause it seems to be rather easy to let hang out of your mouth... thanks Derrick... :tu

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

Do most Cavalier style pipes run 500.00? would love to have one but not at that price...

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

No. Dunhill's are the most expensive factory pipes you can buy. That also is not a traditional Cavalier. Most are made of wood, the one feature that all cavaliers have that make them unique is that the shaft extends below the draft hole of the pipe, and is capped. This acts like a moisture trap, and can easily be cleaned out by removing the cap.

For another shaped pipe that can easily hang when clenched look at Oom Paul, or Hungarian shapes. (they are the same thing)

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

Will do... I am more or less looking for a cheap beginners pipe that is not too heavy that I can comfortably clench between my teeth and smoke hands free... this shape appealed to me cause the "hook" shape of the stem looks like it would hang from the mouth easily...

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

Any regular production inexpensive pipes that feature this? I always have a moisture problem, and no matter how little I clench, my style of smoking has me cleaning the pipe after every use to rid the moisture.. I see that the Cavalier style has a lot of really goofy looks.. I wouldn't mind a sub-$100 pipe that looks more traditional..

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

Jarrett, Peterson System pipes can be had for around 100$ They have a moisture trap as well.

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

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=150987177244

Speaking of, I have been eyeing this pipe (not actually going to buy it), is there a reason why it is listed so low? I would think an older model would go for a bit higher.

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

Just started with my first pipe, a Dr. Grabow.

I've read that I need to let the pipe rest a few days between smokes is this correct?

What would happen if I smoked it daily with out letting it rest?

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

The purpose of letting the pipe rest is to allow the moisture absorbed by the wood to dry. If you are smoking one bowl a day, smoking every day isn't going to hurt anything. If you smoke more often, letting it rest is a good idea.

If the pipe is not allowed to dry, it will sour quicker than if it is allowed.

Eventually the pipe will start to sour or taste off, when that happens a Salt & Alcohol treatment is all that is needed to refresh it.

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

In addition to Derricks comments, here's a couple of links with further information for your review Jeff:

http://pipesmokersforum.com/community/threads/pipe-resting.1186/

http://forum.pipes.org/messages/26/82419.html?1270580098

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

I've been jarring my tobacco straight from the tins and then drying out what I'm going to smoke before I smoke it. Is this way better or should I dry out the whole tin before jarring?

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

I think dry as you go is the best option. Every time you open the jar to pack a bowl its going to dry out and not get any moister. Just my 2cents, Ive only been smoking a few months.

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

So My Mom gave me something pretty special gift for my birthday today...

This is a collection of my GREAT Grandfathers pipes...

[IMG]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8366/8...70671aa4_c.jpg Untitled by Robulous78, on Flickr[/IMG]

I know nothing about pipes, so I thought I would post this up and maybe you guys can tell me something about em', also, now since I have them, I wanna give pipe smoking a shot... which one of these do you think I should try to use? how do you prep and old pipe for use?

Thanks Everyone for your help, We both thank you...

[IMG]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8099/8...d887ef9f_c.jpg Untitled by Robulous78, on Flickr[/IMG]

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

Also... My mom found this to go with my "new" pipes...

[IMG]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8532/8...27c23891_c.jpg Untitled by Robulous78, on Flickr[/IMG]

the glass of the jar looks pretty dated, anyone know anything about these?

[IMG]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8372/8...8ba49864_c.jpg Untitled by Robulous78, on Flickr[/IMG]

Thanks Fellas...

Rob

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

The pipes look like a pretty standard collection of kaywoodies & Dr. Grabows. The pipes with the clover leaf one them, unscrew the stems from the pipes and check out the stingers. 4 hole stingers are older than the newer 3 hole design.

The stands with jars are pretty common. The jar was used to store your tobacco

Any of them would probably be good to start with however you may want to pick up a corn cob pipe from a drug store or pipe shop to start with so you don't accidentally char the rim up too bad when your starting out.

Do a Salt & Alcohol treatment on them http://pipecollecting.blogspot.com/2...treatment.html
and use an alcohol dipped pipes clean down through the stem until they run clean.

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

Rob, that is some great stuff there. I don't have any Grabows of Kaywoodies anymore, so listen to Derrick.

I will say this though, it is great to come into a collection like that.

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

Anyone have a link for Pipe beginners?

I youtubed how to date most of the collection... There are 2 Pre 1940 pipes in the pictures and then 2 from the 70's... the rest I still have no idea about...

I restored the 2 from the 70's with the salt & alcohol method, after some pipe cleaners they were as good as new... the wood however looked pretty dull... so I wiped them with a light wood oil, the tips are pretty oxidized but that doesn't overly bother me...

I watched a video on how to pack a pipe and got some various drug store tobaccos to try...

-Admiral's Choice Cherry Cavendish
-Borkum Riff Bourbon Mix
-Generic Apple Pipe Tabacco from Middleton Co
-Paladin Blackcherry
-Lonestar Gold Pipe Tabacco

Ok... so here in lies my question, Old Farts... I expected that the smoke would contain more flavor, kind of like when you smoke Shisha from a Hooka... but aside from a slight aroma and subtle flavor I can barely tell The Admiral's Choice from the Paladin... I am enjoying the general flavor of the Borkum Riff, but I would not say I taste bourbon in the smoke...

Am I using the wrong tobacco's or are my expectations incorrect for what pipe smoking offers? Is my noise burnt out from cigar retrohaling to "taste" the flavor of the smoke?

I find the rather troubling, because I am enjoying my first bouts into pipe smoking yet can't seem to find exactly what I am looking for... which I can only describe as a powerfully flavorful "shisha-esque" smoke...

Thanks Old Fart / Everyone...

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

Bump for answers/help...

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

Alot of guys buy drug store tobacco when they are first starting out in pipes. My opinion is that this is in general a mistake, nothing against the drug store tobaccos as a whole because there are some good ones but usually the quality is a little lacking. You have an assortment of aromatic tobaccos there that have a flavor casing/topping. I believe all of those tobaccos you have listed are made almost entirely cavendish or black cavendish based with whatever topping the maker has employed. Cavendish is a very soft and subtle leaf which means the topping should stand out more. The flavored tobaccos usually smell very nice to the people around you but are not quite as enjoyable for the smoker

The problem with this is that alot of times the topping is either not very noticeable or isn't near what you thought it might (at least in my experience). This may be due to the heat burning the topping off the tobacco before it is actually noticed by the smoker. Another variable is that if you are smoking pipes that have been used before you will get some residual flavors from whatever the person before you, but there are ways to help remedy that.

I always recommend starting out with tobacco that has no topping from a more reputable source (GL Pease, Cornell and Diehl, Mcconnel, mclelland, Macbaren, etc.). Especially if you are a cigar smoker as you will smoke blends that have assortments of tobacco leaf that are carefully formulated and blended by the company. A big mistake new pipe smokers make is that they assume pipe smoking and tobacco is closely related to hookah, its not.

I will post a couple of websites you can check out. Pick up some tins from any of the companies I mentioned above and I think you will find a much more enjoyable experience. Some guys like GL Pease even use a little cigar leaf in there blends, one in particular is GL Pease Key Largo.

The main pipe tobacco leaves are: Virginias, Latakia (syrian and cyprian), Burley, Orientals, Turkish, Cavendish, and Perique. Pipe smoking can get fairly complex but try to not get caught up in all the hooplah and terminology just enjoy it in your own way.

http://smokingpipes.com/ has a very good selection of tinned and bulk tobacco at good prices.

Also check out these sites

http://tobaccoreviews.com/
http://pipedia.org/wiki/Pipe_Tobaccos Great page explaining many different things related to pipe tobacco and the different varieties of pipe tobacco leaves. This site has other interesting pages regarding all things pipes.

Also youtube is another great resource. Have fun and welcome to another slope.

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

Thanks for the info Nick... Very helpful...

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

Rob, first, you asked the question on Easter and I didn't get to it. I will try and postulate a better answer later. But for now, Shisha tastes like whatever topping is put on it. Pipe tobacco will never taste anything like Shisha. Nick gave a good answer.

Here's how I'd say it. Do not smoke aromatics (those with a flavoring) for the flavored smell you find when you open the tin/pouch, 95% of the time you will be disappointed. You may smell that in the room when smoking, and others around you may smell it, but you will not find it on your palate.

Pipe tobacco flavors come from the constituent tobaccos. And the smoke volume will be significantly less than from cigars.

Hope that helps a little.

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

I have to amend my post slightly there are some tobacco blends that use a slight topping however instead of the drug store blends that are counting on the topping to carry the blend; blends like macbaren plumcake and GL Pease Barbary Coast use a slight flavoring to add a little bit of a nuance.

I saw that you do smoke cigars you may really like some of the English style or Balkan style blends. You can send me a PM me your address and I can send a little sampler out for you if you want.

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

I would love that Nick... Thanks... PM sent

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

Alright guys, I am giving the pipe thing a go again...after all, April is Pipe Month!!...but I have a few questions that are buring ( :D ) inside that I need to ask, so I can enjoy it more:

1. Maybe stupid, but what does a "non-carbonized" bowl mean? Is it that it hasn't been smoked yet?

2. I cannot tell if my baccy is the right RH...what is it supposed to be? and is there a method, other than a hygrometer, that you can use to tell if it is right (like a feel or something)

3. Am I packing my bowl too tight or too lose...Here is why I ask...I am not getting much smoke production out of it? I use the 3-2-1 (thanks Moo!) method, but I'm not sure if it is packed correctly. I light all over, tamp, light again...but then about 45 seconds to a minute later, when I draw, i do not get the "full mouth" feel of smoke anymore, and when I blow it out, it is very little smoke. Am I expecting too much from smoking cigars? I see pictures of people smoking pipes and it looks like they are getting a lot of smoke...I want that! I also have some troubles with keeping it lit, I mean, if I don't puff like every 45 seconds it is out for sure...could this be because it is packed too loosely?
3.a. So could it be that the baccy is too dry/wet, packed too loosely...I am 100% sure it is not being packed too tight.
4. Recommendations for a newb pipe smoker that loves a med/med-full Nicaraguan cigar, and doesn't want tongue bite.

Sorry if that was lengthy, just trying to get it figured out so I can relax with a bowl as easily as I do with a stick, and enjoy the change of pace that pipes give.

Thanks all!

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

Let me have a go...

1. Me, I prefer to see raw, natural wood in a new pipe, not the pre- carbon coated variety. That's regarding a new pipe. On a well smoked pipe it is possible someone would ream out the chamber thoroughly, removing previous carbon build-up. In either case you'd be talking about a non-carbonized bowl. A thin coating of carbonization protects the wood in a pipe from burning.

2. Tobacco moisture meter for ribbon or shag cut. Squish a wad between your thumb and index finger; it it squishes and -
i. stays squished, it's too moist and needs a little drying out
ii. springs back, it's probably good to go
iii. crumbles to dust, it's way too dry and needs remoisturizing

For flake tobacco, if you bend a flake 180* and -
i. it bends like rubber and nothing breaks it's very moist
ii. it bends but fractures a fair bit at the bend it's about right (for me)
iii. it snaps in half it's probably dried out and might benefit from remoisturizing.

3. You're packing a bowl?! It's too tight. Never pack, fill. Too loose a fill and you can always moosh it down a bit after lighting. Too tight from the get go - ferget about it. You'll suck your cheeks off trying to keep the pipe alive. I routinely produce large, almost opaque clouds of smoke with small-to-modest sips. Getting there is finding the right balance between pipe, tobacco and filling technique. When something isn't working, make a change. It's like sex - timing and technique. Here is a recent sip-cloud:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-e...084809_403.jpg

Too wet, you think? That's easy to determine. Is the pipe drooling into your mouth instead of the other way around? Is the heel of the pipe wet and swampy? If so, the pipe and/or the tobacco are too wet to smoke. Consider dry time for pipe (24 hours) or tobacco (let a wad sit out 30-60 minutes).

4. I never could equate pipe tobacco with cigars. People talk about it a lot but, for me, it's like comparing pumpkin pie with whipped cream to aluminum billets. They both have their purposes but have nothing in common (for me). I like cigars and pipes but I sense them in totally different ways.

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

Moo your mustache and your pipe look a lot alike. Life imitating art at it's finest.

I've been told I look like a pipe too, only it was just an burned out cob.

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

Thanks Moo, very much appreciated!

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

Of course you were lying and, now, here you are - trapped in your own web of deceit and self delusion. :sl

Fortunately for you there are Old Farts at the ready! All new pipesmokers believe tobacco should be mashed into a bowl with a hydraulic-assist ram. It is the way of things. Not to worry. Start your bowl with just enough compression to slightly resist a sip. After the initial charring light you can tamp things down a bit more - but not much tighter than that easy sip. Go gradually and you'll find the sweet spot where optimal compression actually does produces big clouds with small sips.

Carbonized bowl vs. raw wood with a new pipe? Personal preference. I like raw wood - it can't conceal defects in the chamber of a new pipe. As is often advised, start a new pipe with half-filled bowls for a dozen or so smokes to keep the pipe's heel dry and get cake forming in the bottom half of the chamber. Or not. It's pretty hard to burn out a decent pipe if you're not outdoors smoking in a breeze.

Carbon or not? Pipe too tightly filled or not? It is a game of patient experimentation until it all comes together. :tu

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

Glad to see that Moo caught you here and got you up to speed. I always fill on the light side, I can always tamp it a bit tighter later.

I am also not a fan of carbonized bowls.

I think Moo and I agree about liking our tobaccos a little drier than moist, they burn better. Too often people have this idea that tobacco needs to be fairly moist. Really? Ever burn firewood?

Keep experimenting and it will come to you. If you can find a good tobacconist where some older guy/gal is smoking a pipe, go over and ask for some pointers. Watching and/or hands on experience far outweighs simply reading what we suggest.

Peace of the Lord be with you.

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

Thank you both! Practice makes perfect...and now that I know I'm doing it wrong I can practice more effectively :tu

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

Practice solves all.

I see you're in Woodbridge. That Old Virgina Tobacco joint across from the mall has a fantastic cigar selection but I don't think I ever met another pipesmoker in there. Check it out - maybe you'll find an Old Fart who'll do you a demo.

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

Another question (that's what this is hear for right :tu )

I just bought some tins that are from 2006 (mainly Frog Morton stuff):

1. When I shake the tin it sounds like the tobacco might be dry(er), (note, bought from a brother here, and not saying anything bad because I know re-hydrating is easy and I'm 100% happy with the purchase, just wanted to ask the ?) is this just me being a newb, but my question is, doesn't the sealed tin keep the tobacco moist/optimal?

2. Should I invest in the small mason jars to have on hand for right when I open a tin? Or can I keep the tobacco in the tin for a few (days, weeks, months) with it holding proper humidity?

3.Thanks!! :D

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

You can't really tell if the tins are dried out or not from shaking them. Are the foil seals still under vacuum?

The tins will be ok in the Pringles style tins for a couple weeks up to a month but any longer than that and you'll want to have the stuff jared.

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

Still factory sealed :tu should still be just fine then, right?

Ok, I'll make it a necessity (not priority) to get the jars.

Thanks!

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

Factory sealed will be fine for a long time.

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

Just started smoking a pipe so I'm sure that I will have loads of questions.

First one being, What are some good tools to have handy for pipe smoking?

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

Seeing as I am also new... this might be the blind leading the blind... but there are all kinds of tools you can have for pipes...

A tamper or pipe nail is a must for the ash on top of bowls...

A pipe rest is nice in case you must set it down for a while...

A pipe knife is a slightly more expensive alternative that has the same features and a blade that will let you cut up your baccy any way you like...

A cork knocker is nice for your ashtray so you don't risk damaging valuable pipes...

you can get Ashtrays with knockers installed, and formed pipe rests...

you can get shelves or cabinets built with special storage for your pipes and baccy...

If you like smoking a pipe on the go you can get a "Mayflower Pouch" or "columbus pouch" that holds your baccy and pipe safely in your pocket...

If your pipes get really dirty you can get a reamer and carefully remove excess cake...


As with cigars... the question is what will you use and what will you need...

I would say a rest and a tamper or knife is a good start... most say a pipe lighter is also a must have... But its important to keep in mind that the one thing about pipe smoking is it really is as simple as pack it up and light it on fire if you want it to be... :2

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

That's some kinda long, scary looking list for a newguy. How 'bout a pack of matches, a golf tee and a 100-count bag of pipecleaners.

First you need to draw them in, all paper book matches innocent-like. Pounce later with the long lists of plutonium-powered pipe lighters.

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

Seconded.....if you cant find a golf tee, 16 penny nails work good too.