Pipe Smoking: Opinions, tips?

petebricquette

Hello everyone. I'm new. I had a good root around the site and can't find any other threads about pipe smoking (specifically: starting off) and so would love to get some feedback from more experienced pipe smokers.

I got mine as a gift from a friend after jokingly mentioning I'd love to smoke a pipe someday. Great dude. I love it but I'm having some trouble with really stupid things like keeping it lit and getting a good draw. It's a Peterson's pipe with a 'Cara Black' bowl and a fishtail stem.

OldGoat

This is the procedure I follow and it works well. When I become more experienced I'll try other packing methods but for now I don't see the need to faff about with a winning method.
http://www.smokingpipes.com/information/howto/packing.cfm

petebricquette

OldGoat wrote: »

This is the procedure I follow and it works well. When I become more experienced I'll try other packing methods but for now I don't see the need to faff about with a winning method.
http://www.smokingpipes.com/information/howto/packing.cfm

Thanks OldGoat! I had a goodly smoke there a couple of hours ago so ol' Betsy needs some downtime. Are there many pipe smokers around the forums?

BeerNut

Anseo!

I think the keeping it lit issue may be about tobacco moistness. I always find the first couple of weeks of a fresh tin need more work. But as long as you have a decent lighter it shouldn't be a problem.

petebricquette

Therein lies my problem I think. I only have a ream of sh**e disposables so I think I'll ask around in Peterson's and the DCE to see what they have. Plus I need cleaners.

BeerNut

Ah yes. Welcome to the select League Of People Who Use Pipe Cleaners For Actually Cleaning Pipes.

Lighterwise, I use one of these:


Barry's on South King Street have them and may be a bit cheaper than the Grafton Street tobacconists.

martinn123

Hi Guys,

afraid I have only 38 yrs experience of the joys of a pipe, so I will throw in my tuppenceworth.

Tries fags once or twice, could not see the attraction.

Starting out find a tobacco which suits your taste and pipe. Straw like mixtures will need a relight every minute and drive you mad. A mid texture tobacco will give you a more pleasant smoke. Eventually you can graduate to a bulkier mix.

Remember you have to break in the pipe as well, the first few weeks can be troublesome so stick with it.

I love that post from Smokingpipes.com, I read it and it says at least 6 times, start all over again, no way, a method to suit you will come practise, practise, practise.

Welcome to the world of real smoking, but remember we are a dying breed.

Good Luck

petebricquette

I'm going to need to get myself a decent lighter I think. I was in Peterson's a day or two ago and the guy in there recommended Connoisseur's [sp?] Choice to me. I'm finding it to be ok-ish. It certainly smells amazing but it doesn't smoke all too well.