New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart

[RevSmoke]

Originally Posted by Old Man Army

Thanks for the advice guys. The first thing I did was go to the tobbaco shop and get some decent tobbaco, Mac Baren Black Cavandish. Next I took a hack saw to the stinger and cut it off just below the threads. I loaded up half a bowl, with a pipe cleaner handy. First of all, the taste was much better than the Borkum Riff that I started out with; it didn't bite my tongue. When I noticed some condensation building up in the bowl I ran the pipe cleaner down the stem. Problem solved! I had a nice half-hour smoke.

One final question, I know with cigars most people reccomend taking a puff every minute or so. Is there a comparable rule of thumb for smoking a pipe, or should I make like Popeye and just puff away?

If you really want to taste the subtle nuances, "sip" your pipe. That's the best way I can describe it. If you puff away, you will get much more condensation and possibly burn your tongue.

But, you may not be susceptible to tongue bite.

Try some different things and see what happens.

Oh, this is a must. Smoke your pipe. When done with a bowl, run a pipe cleaner through it. Then let it sit for about 2 days before smoking it again, giving it time to dry out thoroughly.

Peace of the Lord be with you.