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

^^^^ +1

In addition to Todds comment, I would also suggest getting together with your "Pastor" for a session or two to show you. Who knows, it may develop into a regular session of pipe tobacco learning for you...:D

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

Thanks Rev. I hope to see you in January at symposia. It will be great to get together and smoke.

Mark I would do that but it is so cold here now that it would hardly be bearable.

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

keep smoking it gets easier

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

Thanks guys for the help dried out some tobacco and smoked it today. It made a huge difference. Easily the most pleasant pipe smoking experience I have had yet.

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

another newbie question here..... Just started with pipe smoking and a bunch of great guys bombed me with some tobacco, and I bought a few tins/pouches myself. Right now I have about a dozen zip-lock bags, a few pouches and a couple tins. I have them in a 50 count desktop with no humidification. Is this OK, Should I add humidification?

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

It's fine without humidification. I tend to prefer most baccy's drier than the package anyway.

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

Nice!

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

This may seem somewhat random, but is there a quick rule-of-thumb as to what kind of tobacco in what kind of bowl. Ferinstance: I've heard that straight VA's are best in a wide bowl like a pot because the wide surface area burns more tobacco concurrently, imparting more flavor.

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

Can't say I've seen a quick easy to remember method but if you check tobaccoreviews, you will see many post the effects of different pipes with your choice leaf. Seems to me, and I'm no expert, that there are too many variables and personal preferences to make a concrete rule of thumb.

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

That's kinda where I got the notion, but that's pretty much what I figured. Thanks!

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

And if there is something that I have heard for years is that VAs like small narrow bowls.

Here's the rule of thumb, try your tobaccos in different size bowls and see which ones smoke best of you, for ultimately, you need to satisfy your palate. Personally, I have found that I like my VAs in many sizes of bowls, and more often than not, the choice is made by asking, "what pipe do I want to smoke today?"

Peace of the Lord be with you.

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

I must have had it backwards, thanks. I got thinking about this because I smoked some Barbary Coast in my new Viking pot and it was flat and boring.

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

Hey Rev, thanks for the advice; I smoked some Peacehaven in a small Ropp Strawberry and it was excellent!

On another note: I was wondering...is acrylic heavier than ebonite? I like to clench and have been conscious of weight recently but I like the durability of acrylic.

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

Today my pastor friend who started me down this slope as I have mentioned elsewhere has surprised me with a gift. A brand new Peterson System pipe. He noticed that I appreciated the Grabow and Cob he had given me to start off with and he said it was time for me to step my game up.
http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/...ps72dgaznc.jpg

Any advice on breaking this in or maintaining it would be appreciated. My friend hasn't had time to smoke with me much and recommended that I just check on the internet for breaking in and what not. I know the recommendation is usually start with a half a bowl but I was curious if this one calls for anything different.

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

nice!

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

The reason for starting with 1/2 a bowl is so that you smoke the bowl all the way to the bottom so that you get a good cake on the bottom half of the bowl. What a bunch of hoooey! Fill the bowl and smoke it - just make sure you smoke it to the bottom

How do you break in a pipe? Smoke it!

So, smoke it!

Peace of the Lord be with you.

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

Thanks Rev that's what I was thinking. Any special maintenance for a system pipe as opposed to a regular pipe?

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

The great thing about your pipe is you can clean it immediately after smoking. A military bit allows you to remove the stem while the pipe is still warm.

When I smoke my system pipe I take a paper towel, twist up one end, and clean out the sump. A pipe cleaner will help you clean the stem and the draft hole into the bowl.

A soft cloth to wipe the outside and you are good.

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

While a military bit "allows" you to remove the stem, it is still a good practice not to - just for the sake of repetition breeds practice that carries over sometimes to how you treat other pipes.

Peace of the Lord be with you.

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

So typically I shouldn't remove the stem immediately after smoking?

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

I'm a lazy SOB and will usually wait until I have 3 or 4 to clean, then do a batch. Sort of an early morning ritual sitting in my office (where I am not allowed to smoke, but can still enjoy my pipes - cleaning and polishing away.)

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

No. Let your pipe cool first. That system pipe is designed to allow for removal while warm, but if you have no need to do so, it's best to let it cool.

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

That's generally true for me. I often will run a cleaner and wipe the bowl and call it good. I've become less intensive in my cleaning.

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

I've got one for you guys. How thoroughly do you clean your cobs? Specifically the area at the bottom of the bowl between the wall of the bowl and the outer part of the stem. Most cons have 2 deep little pockets due to the stem coming into the chamber.

I'm not too particular usually but have been considering getting a poker and digging out some of that gooey funk.
How about you?

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

I leave it alone. I think it forms a new raised bottom for the pipe which will prevent the bottom from burning out. Cobs are all I smoke these days and it's never given me any problem. The low maintenance is one of the things I love about them.

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

Yeah....just leave it alone. It adds to the seasoning.

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

...what Tim and Scott sayz:pi

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

As has been said, just leave it alone. In time, it will form a cake along the bottom and that will help to keep the bottom from burning out too quickly!

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

I'll leave it be, appreciate the feedback fellas.

I think I do want to grab a couple more cobs though so they get a little more dry time. I have a tendency to hand mine out to potential converts.

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

I do know that if your local B&M do not carry cobs Seth, that Walgreens does carry the MM Legend and Mark Twain. Some carry only the Legend and some carry both...

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

Our local drug stores have gone to the birds. I'll just tack a couple on my next smokingpipes order :)

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

Anyone ever use gqtobaccos.com ? I am looking at pipes and they seem to have pretty competitive prices. Any other recommendations are helpful. I have become quite fond of Petersons.

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

They don't ship to US. Glynn's blends are very tasty though. :)

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

Theyre site says they do. Have you looked recently?

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

I apologize. I just re-checked it and it specifies no tobacco shipped to US, nothing about actual pipes.

Having been under a false assumption for so long, I haven't given the pipe selection a good look until now. Prices are VERY reasonable even with overseas shipping. Color me happily incorrect :)

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

Haha glad I could help a brother out:tu I am curious why their prices seem to be so much better than smokingpipes or pipesandcigars. those are the main two I look at.

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

Seems too good to be true doesn't it? I don't mean that to question the reputation of GQ, they're most definitely legitimate.

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

I was curious if these were actually estate pipes or something and I missed it in the fine print. I have a few weeks/months to save up before I can afford a new pipe. If you get anything let me know how it all worked out.

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

What makes a pipe an "Estate Pipe"? What does this mean and how it is different from any other pipe?

TIA

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

It generally just means previously owned. "Used" doesn't sound as sophisticated ;)

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

Thank you, Seth.

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

Ok, here is a quick question:
What does "OTC" stand for (relating to pipe tobacco). I read the term in one of the older threads in the pipe discussion section.

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

OTC is Over The Counter as it relates to pipe tobacco products, and will be referring to brands such as Carter Hall, Captain Black, Half and Half, Granger, and so forth (brands that you find behind the counter at Walgreens, Rite Aid, the grocery store, etc)...

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

I have decided that the majority of smoking I'm going to be doing will be shifting more towards pipe smoking. After ten years of mostly cigars my tastes have really started enjoying the subtle flavor a of pipe tobacco. I have a decent amount of pipe tobacco but it isn't all in sealed tins. Some are in ziploc baggies. Is there any way to save this or is it pretty much a lost cause now? And does flake last longer in unsatisfactory conditions than regular tobacco? Thanks for the help.

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

I put all my tobacco in mason jars. It works for me.

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

Yes. My main question is will my tobacco that isn't in tins or jars be smokeable or is there a way to save it if it isn't.

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

Sorry I didn't understand your question at first. I have had success with small boveda packs and the little water pillow things. :2

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

Hey Pete, great to see you back on the forum, and congratulations on becoming a piper:tu

I think over a period of time, after purchasing samplers online or the same from your local B&M, we end up with a few bags of loose tobacco or flakes. Zip lock baggies aren't the best for holding air out or humidity and temperature inside. So, eventually, the pipe tobacco will dry out on you. The same goes for tins. They don't have the best of seals (well, some are better than others, but may tend to dry out your tobacco over a period of time).

If you're thinking about hanging-on to some of your pipe tobacco from plastic bags or tins, you can always take that first step and hydrate your pipe tobacco. Its easy and simple. Take a small glass or Rubbermaid type bowl and place your pipe tobacco inside. Next, take a washcloth or similar type of cloth, hold it under some hot water until soaked, drain a little water from the cloth, open the cloth out fully, and place it flat over the bowl containing your pipe tobacco. If you're doing this during the weekend, you can check your pipe tobacco every 4 to 5 hours for moisture absorption. If you feel it could use a bit more moisture, mix the pipe tobacco gently and re-soak your cloth again, slightly drain once again, and fully open and place the cloth over the bowl for another 4 to 5 hours. Repeat until you're satisfied with the moisture level of your pipe tobacco. If you're performing this task during the work week, I just soak the cloth, place it over the bowl, and let it sit for 12 hours. I check it a few hours after I return home from work, and sometimes, we're good. Other times, I re-soak and let it ride another 12 hours. You just need to play around with this and dial it in for your own needs.

So, what to do now with your newly hydrated pipe tobacco. Like WhiteMamba, I use Kerr 1 pint wide-mouth jars for all of my bulk purchases and/or tin/plastic bag remainders. If your pipe tobacco has moisture, it will hold for quite some time in a Kerr or Mason type of jar. There are many pipers that use glass jars for long term storage of their pipe tobacco. You can slap a label on the jar with the name of the pipe tobacco and date, and pack it away, to be open at some future date in time aged. This is not to say though, that a Kerr or Mason jar "will not" leak. You just want to make sure you place the top on just right prior to screwing it down. To date, I've yet to have an air leak situation with these jars.

Finally, you don't have to use 1 pint jars exactly. I use these because they hold 4 oz of loose and flake tobacco nicely inside. There are larger glass jars that I'm sure will hold an easy 8oz (if you wanted to break-up that 1 pound of pipe tobacco you recently purchased), or you may want to go with a smaller wide mouth jar just to handle the amount usually found in a tin (which is generally 1.75 oz or 50 g).

And, does flake last longer in unfavorable conditions than regular tobacco (I would think this constitutes ribbon cut, rough cut, etc)??? Since flake is sliced from a tobacco blend that has been pressed together for a long period of time, I would say yes, due to its density from being pressed together. Regular tobacco is thin with many open spaces where air can easily get to all of the moisture and oils, and I would think, dry it out quicker than a blend of tobacco's that have been pressed. At least, this is my thought on the question.

Hope this helps you out a bit Pete:pi

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

Thanks guys. A lot of good info here. I've got an order coming in the next couple days and will start using jars with my new stuff and hopefully rehydrate the old. Got a nice sample pack from one of the guys on here a while back.

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

Hey guys, my name is Adam *waits for hi adam* and I will be getting my first pipe in just a couple days, I am actually pretty excited to delve into the world of pipes and puffing.

One thing I have been looking for is a pipe tobacco flavor wheel, does such a thing exist?

thanks,
newb