Cool, I had no idea that Jim used a clay pipe. I just threw the comment out there in a post. I may have created a monster, because I would probably just rank a green belt as well. But, green would probably go with my ties better, and having a green belt to holster my pipe would be pretty cool too. Ha ha.
No, I have two clay pipes, but I rarely use them. But, each time I do use one, I try my best to smoke it as cool as possible.
I know that recommending a clay pipe to someone just getting into the hobby is not what most forum members would do, but smoking a pipe cool-ly, is not just about keeping the outside cool to the touch. It's about smoking a pipe to get the best flavor, absorb the most nicotine, and it's better for your pipes, IMO. I can always spot a newbie (or imbecile, ha ha) at the B&M by the freight train puffing and billows of smoke, just blowing money into the air, wasting the nicotine goodness. If you'll watch an old geezer (or anyone who has actually bonded with their pipe for years) or an old movie where the pipe is actually being smoked, you'll barely ever even see any smoke, maybe a wisp or two.
So, smoking a clay pipe to keep it cool is a great way to build that slow sloooooooowwwww cadence to get the best out of their experience,... in my experience.
Of course, there are no rules. Everyone is different. You can feel free to huff and puff big clouds. But, is giving a newbie a MM cob or fat bodied bucket pipe going to really convey the most positive experience in the long run? Sure, they can get a smoke out of a fat insulated pipe, but what good is just puffing through a bowl in a cob if they're not getting the opportunity to taste? absorb the nicotine goodness for the relaxing aspect? and cook their bowls
and TONGUE!!?
It was just a casual spin of words in a post, but sure, lets rank ourselves with belts as in karate. But, to be fair on most days I am probably just a green belt. I think that when I am at my workbench with pipe clenched and my mind focused solely on the task at hand I am getting close to a black belt. I too get excited with flavor and try to unconsciously puff some extra flavor out of the smoke, but consciously, I know that this is counter productive. No one is perfect, so don't worry if you aren't breaking concrete blocks with your forehead yet. And, when I am upset with my kids or irritated with something on the tractor, you just might catch me with a glowing red pipe in my clench as well.
And, to see my name in the title of a thread that I didn't make tickles me, ha ha.
Arigato gozaimasu!!
I just grabbed my clay pipe and I was very surprised because the bowl was not getting hot at all. I didn't do anything special and I was amazed how my smoking habit has improved by itself. I don't feel like I got my black belt though, I guess I am trying to get the green one.
