Pipe smokers?

[HMiS]

Oh no! Are we in a pipe-smoking sect, or what? Nooooooooo!!!! It ain't 1905 anymore, guys. We can get real hand-made Cuban cigars right now. Or from the Dominican Republic.... St. Dominic probably did not like pipes, otherwise his patronate country would not produce nice Cigars.

[ESpear]

Dear Matusleo,

I think that  you are starting on the right track
I also hate cigarettes and I also hate cigars! But a pipe is a very different experience. It is a relaxing experience that includes the aroma, the feel and the taste of a pipe. Pipes are wonderful, functional, works of art. There are many different styles to choose from. And there are many different tobaccos to try and choose from. You are right...pipe smoking has a great sense of tradition and grace about it.
There are many good starter pipes available today, especially with the internet.You want to avoid the drug store or basket pipe.

 It is fun to look pipes over in stores and feel them in your hand. However, I always encourage a new pipe smoker to consider getting a JM Boswell pipe for their first pipe. They are a small family business and they carve all their own pipes. http://www.boswellpipes.com/index.htm
The quality is amazing....and many of their pipes are less than $50! You would pay nearer to $80 to $90 for a pipe of similar quality over the counter. Take a look at some of their pipes if you are considering getting a pipe. They are always happy to help a beginner and also make a wonderful selection of their own tobacco blends that are mild, flavorful and family friendly
 There are lots of websites with tips for the beginner and we will be happy to point you towards them. There is a little to learn....but with practice it can be mastered

[nicollette]

Oh no! Are we in a pipe-smoking sect, or what? Nooooooooo!!!! It ain't 1905 anymore, guys. We can get real hand-made Cuban cigars right now. Or from the Dominican Republic.... St. Dominic probably did not like pipes, otherwise his patronate country would not produce nice Cigars.

:huh?:  My dh smokes both.  He's a sucker for Punch and Mac's but he also enjoys his pipes.  Can we really get Cubans right now?  Why/how did that change, and when?  

Lots of people (young) smoke pipes and hookas as well as cigars.  Actually, from the looks of the local college campus I'd say that the pipe is the new cigar.  It seems to be regaining popularity.  Both cigars and pipes tend to go through their own renaissance.  :lol:  

[QuisUtDeus]

:huh?: My dh smokes both. He's a sucker for Punch and Mac's but he also enjoys his pipes. Can we really get Cubans right now? Why/how did that change, and when?

 

Not in the U.S.  HMiS isn't American.

You can get them in Canada and Mexico, though, so if you're by either border take a drive.

I've had Cubans, and I have to say I prefer Dominicans more.  I think Cubans are good, but kinda overrated.

[QuisUtDeus]

Lots of people (young) smoke pipes and hookas as well as cigars. Actually, from the looks of the local college campus I'd say that the pipe is the new cigar. It seems to be regaining popularity. Both cigars and pipes tend to go through their own renaissance. :lol:

Pipes are always popular in college.  That's how I started smoking them (well, also my father smoked them).  Also, where I learned how to roll a cigarette.  Both were cheap ways to smoke.

HMiS, pipes are not any worse for you than cigars if you don't inhale the smoke, and most pipe smokers don't inhale.

[QuisUtDeus]

Oh no! Are we in a pipe-smoking sect, or what? Nooooooooo!!!!

Come on over to the dark side, HMiS.  You ain't lived until you've had a nice Latakia or Perique blend in a good Peterson pipe.

[ESpear]

Here's the Mini Ball Mr. Spear was speaking of.


What a beautiful pipe, I'll have to show it to my husband. My dh smokes a churchwarden by Stanwell, a Hans Christian Andersen. He loves it, it's his favourite pipe. A real cool, smooth smoke.

Stanwell makes wonderful pipes and that is a beautiful example.

[Kenny]

The mini-ball pipe really looks just like a projectile!

Here's a picture of my churchwarden!



It sure smokes better than the corncob pipe I've been using the past two years, which I used as a beginner's pipe (and admittedly not a well maintained one).

I have some questions, though:

1a) For some reason, the tobacco does not always burn properly and I find myself having to relight the tobacco a couple of times. Is this normal, or is it because I did not tamp the tobacco tight enough?

b) If the tobacco goes out, does it possibly mean that I'm not smoking it quick enough?

c) I still get that biting feeling on the tongue sometimes. Does it mean I'm smoking it too much too quickly? If and when I slow down, the tobacco seems to go out, and I have to relight it. How do I solve this?

2) The bottom of the chamber of the churchwarden was moist when I finished smoking it today. This is something that's never happened when I used the corncob pipe. What caused it?

[ESpear]

The mini-ball pipe really looks just like a projectile!

Here's a picture of my churchwarden!



It sure smokes better than the corncob pipe I've been using the past two years, which I used as a beginner's pipe (and admittedly not a well maintained one).

I have some questions, though:

Dear Kenny,

That is a beaut !!!

Great questions !

1a) For some reason, the tobacco does not always burn properly and I find myself having to relight the tobacco a couple of times. Is this normal, or is it because I did not tamp the tobacco tight enough?
It is perfectly normal to relight a pipe several times during a bowl. You want to pack the pipe, do a "charing" light that starts the tobacco alight...let it go out...do a "light tamping"...then relight with a little more draw to draw the flame a little deeper into the bowl. The bowl should now be "alight"..as you puff a few times...relax and let the bowl relax as you relax...gentle puffs... As you work your way through the bowl....tamp gently and relight as needed.

b) If the tobacco goes out, does it possibly mean that I'm not smoking it quick enough?  Not at all. You could have packed it too tight.  Also it is normal to have it go out once in a while.

c) I still get that biting feeling on the tongue sometimes. Does it mean I'm smoking it too much too quickly? If and when I slow down, the tobacco seems to go out, and I have to relight it. How do I solve this? Ah...."Breath Smoking"  is the answer...gentle puffs and then a gentle puff out through the bowl will help....patience...pipe smoking is a patient thing to do See the URL below for a great website on Breath Smoking

2) The bottom of the chamber of the churchwarden was moist when I finished smoking it today. This is something that's never happened when I used the corncob pipe. What caused it?

The tobacco will leave moisture after combustion...perfectly ok...let it air out and dry for a day or so. Always run a pipe cleaner down the stem and into the bowl to remove any remaining deposits.

Here are a couple great sites that will help you:
http://www.glpease.com/Articles/BreathSmoking.html

http://www.mccranies.com/pipes_pleasure.html

Hope this helps

[Marylou]

What handsome pipes and how refreshing to see that you blokes finally have something blokish to discuss !!

Well done !

One of my boys alreaady smokes a pipe but carves his own.