Pipes Magazine » Pipe Smoking Basics & Beginner Questions

1. 

   4dotsasieni
   

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   Pipes with filters are new to me. Back thirty-something years ago, when I bought most of my pipes, you never saw a filter except in "drugstore" pipes. But now they seem to come with a lot of mainstream good-quality pipes. I even found one in a new Peterson!

   My first inclination is to toss 'em out -- but if I do decide to use them, how often are these critters supposed to be changed - every smoke? They sure do seem to get soggy and crappy after even only one bowlful. I don't know if that means they're actually doing something useful, or if it proves that they just gunk up the pipe.

   Thanks for your expertise.

   Posted 4 months ago #
2. 

   Uberam3rica
   

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   I don't use them. If you decide to use them, throw them out once they look bad. They can cause you to puff harder since they restrict the draw a little bit.

   As long as I got a pipe full of baccy and a nose full of snuff, I'm a happy camper
   Cigarettes are an addiction, cigars are a hobby, pipes are a religion

   Posted 4 months ago #
3. 

   rothnh
   

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   I'll start by saying I, like 90% of American puffers, don't like or use filters. A fact.

   Now, concerning filters, there are a number of filter types. There's probably 6-12 different "Euro type" filters, to use in your Vauen, Design Berlin, Rattray, Peterson, ad nausem. Some make their own filters, again, most of these are European, such as the balsa Savinelli filters. Then there American filters (MM Cobs, Medico, etc.) And let's not forget the Canadians (Brigham's very own maple wood filters).

   Oh, I almost forgot -- if you snag a Euro pipe that takes a filter it may take a 6mm, or maybe a 9mm filter.

   Ugh.

   I have one pipe that takes a filter. A Savinelli Bing's Favorite. The filters, after a year, remain unused. Hell, I don't even use that cute little plastic tube adapter.

   Posted 4 months ago #
4. 

   cleidophoros
   

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   I don't know if that means they're actually doing something useful

   
   They are supposed to trap some of the moisture and other unpleasant stuff in the tobacco. If it gets wet and blackened then it is doing its job I guess.

   They need to be changed every 1-5 smoke; you will have to decide when to change them since every tobacco will be different.

   I used about 5 of them with my first pipe and then decided I didn't like them.

   Posted 4 months ago #
5. 

   rothnh
   

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   They need to be changed every 1-5 smoke; you will have to decide when to change them since every tobacco will be different.

   Depends on the filter and the pipe.

   For example, Brigham Maple Filters last 20-30 smokes, when used as directed. Savinelli Balsa Filters can last one for you, but 3 smokes for me.

   The pipes with filters usually comes with instructions. Use only as directed (kidding).

   Posted 4 months ago #
6. 

   mikephillips
   

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   Is that what those are? I thought they were just paper plugs used in long-term pipe storage to keep teensy spiders from crawling inside and building cobby webbies in the shank

   Posted 4 months ago #
7. 

   cleidophoros
   

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   Depends on the filter and the pipe.
   Savinelli Balsa Filters can last one for you, but 3 smokes for me.

   
   Yes of course, that's why I said he will have to decide when to change them himself.

   For example, Brigham Maple Filters last 20-30 smokes, when used as directed.

   
   I don't think we have those on this of the pond so I wouldn't know. Good to learn new stuff though.

   Posted 4 months ago #
8. 

   mikephillips
   

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   If they're wood filters, why can't they be soaked in alcohol, dried and re-used?

   Posted 4 months ago #
9. 

   cleidophoros
   

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   I guess they can but they are pretty cheap, I don't think it's worth the trouble.

   Posted 4 months ago #
10. 

    Uberam3rica
    

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    I have two filtered pipes, a cob and a Medico Ventilator. I don't use filters in the cob, but I do in the ventilator as you have to use a filter in order to smoke it.

    Posted 4 months ago #
11. 

    keith929
    

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    I have two Vauen pipes that use the Dr Perl 9mm filters. After about 3 or 4 bowls the filters are now residing in the back of my drawer. They restricted the draw too much for my taste.

    There is always a light in the human heart. Don't blow it out with anger or hatred.
    - E Miller

    Posted 4 months ago #
12. 

    strugglingthinker
    

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    I use filters in my Grabows (vintage), cobs, and Savinellis. If I'm smoking a tobacco that tends to bite (me), I smoke them in a filtered pipe. I ALWAYS toss them after one smoke, despite the recommendations from distributors to use them for 2-3 (or more smokes). I can't stand that soggy, stale, tobacco juice taste. One and done.

    Posted 4 months ago #
13. 

    simenon
    

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    I used Medico filters in my cobs on two occasions because I forgot to remove them from a new pipe.

    I am not a fan... They make the stem smell and leave behind disgusting tar flavours.

    Posted 4 months ago #
14. 

    yadan
    

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    I use a filter only if I'm smoking a pipe that provides too free a draw. In my case it's a vintage Filto, a veteran Shalom DeLuxe and one of my MM cobs. I dispose of the filter after a single smoke.

    "I'm always easy to please since I'm always satisfied with the very best." - Oscar Wilde

    Posted 4 months ago #
15. 

    cedeks
    

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    Most of the pipes in my collection are with filters. I strictly use vauen 9mm filter due to the good results I always get. Have only one savinelli with 6mm filter which I usually use balsa filter for. I only use non filtered pipes with English blends since they are not so moisturized.
    Usually I use the 9mm filter for 2 or 3 bowls if the duration between them does not exceeds 2 days. Otherwise it will start having this funny taste. This rule for me applies for both active carbon and balsa filters. Usually when I remove the filter and notice how black and sticky it is I wonder what happens when all of this go directly into my body and stick more to filtered smoking.

    Posted 4 months ago #
16. 

    rlunderhill
    

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    I use the filters in my MM Cobs. I change them when the draw get harder. They work great for restricting moisture.

    Posted 4 months ago #
17. 

    4dotsasieni
    

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    Thanks for all the good info, guys -- I think I'll stick to having unprotected pleasure.

    Posted 3 months ago #

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