Filter or no filter?
- Thread starter johnnyz
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Hahaha, nice.
I personally will not be getting a filter in any of my pipes, and from things I've read I don't see how they could even be a good thing. Some people seem to like them...just wondering why? What they like about them, and what they may not like about them.
I personally will not be getting a filter in any of my pipes, and from things I've read I don't see how they could even be a good thing. Some people seem to like them...just wondering why? What they like about them, and what they may not like about them.
:
I will use the filter system that comes in Brigham pipes. I have never noticed and ill effect to the flavour of the smoke, and they are great during the Winter. I find smoking my pipe outside during the cold weather months, I get a lot of moisture buildup in the shank, cold outside + warm pipe = increased condensation. When this happens, a filter is a life saver as you won't get that condensation in your mouth.
Personally, I would suggest trying a pipe with a filter abd trying it without. That is the only way you will know for sure whether or not it is for you.
Personally, I would suggest trying a pipe with a filter abd trying it without. That is the only way you will know for sure whether or not it is for you.
I use them for certain pipes and strong blends, I find they take a bit of the bite away from a really strong blend, plus you get a really nice dry smoke.
The first pipes I smoked all had 'filters' of the 'stinger' genre ... and I did not care for my pipe smoking experience ... my epiphany, if you will, came when a co-worker took a look at the pipe I brought with me to work, saw the stinger and told me that it was, in his opinion, a candid admission by the pipe maker that the pipe was made from an inferior briar that wouldn't absorb anything ...
I think he was right, at least as far as that particular pipe was concerned ... after we pulled the stinger out and I tried it without, smoking that pipe was like sipping some really crappy coffee from a ceramic mug ...
That's when I bought my first decent pipe, a Ben Wade that cost me $100 (the equivalent of more than $550 today) ... I consigned the old stingerless piece of junk to the trash where it belonged and have never again had a pipe with a filter in it ...
I know that isn't a universally shared opinion and I know plenty of guys who use filters of various descriptions with happiness ... my cobs would accept filters if I chose to use them, but IMO, they smoke very well without ...
Maybe I'm missing something with this attitude, but the old adage about old dogs not taking to new tricks applies.
I think he was right, at least as far as that particular pipe was concerned ... after we pulled the stinger out and I tried it without, smoking that pipe was like sipping some really crappy coffee from a ceramic mug ...
That's when I bought my first decent pipe, a Ben Wade that cost me $100 (the equivalent of more than $550 today) ... I consigned the old stingerless piece of junk to the trash where it belonged and have never again had a pipe with a filter in it ...
I know that isn't a universally shared opinion and I know plenty of guys who use filters of various descriptions with happiness ... my cobs would accept filters if I chose to use them, but IMO, they smoke very well without ...
Maybe I'm missing something with this attitude, but the old adage about old dogs not taking to new tricks applies.
I am using filters most of the time. Stanwell 9mm Activecoal filters to be exact. I tried a few others and those are the best IMO. They restrict the draw only marginally and alter the taste to something, I enjoy more. They remove nearly all bitter and sharp taste components and make it possible to smoke any tobacco without bite. I have a quite sensitive tongue and and can feel an unpleasant burning sensation after every filterless pipe, I smoke.
The comparison with training wheels may seem fit, but some people with imbalance will always have to use them, so I do not lose any sleep about it.
The comparison with training wheels may seem fit, but some people with imbalance will always have to use them, so I do not lose any sleep about it.
Years ago I tried the paper Medico/Grabow style filters and hated them! Since then I've never used filters.
I have several pipes that were made for 6mm filters (mostly Savinelli and MMs) and one pipe made for 9mm filters, I smoke all of them without filters (or filter adapters) with absolutely no problems!
I know guys that love filters though, my Uncle in particular, swears by Savinelli 6mm balsa filters. I just don't see any benefits to them, so I don't use them.
I have several pipes that were made for 6mm filters (mostly Savinelli and MMs) and one pipe made for 9mm filters, I smoke all of them without filters (or filter adapters) with absolutely no problems!
I know guys that love filters though, my Uncle in particular, swears by Savinelli 6mm balsa filters. I just don't see any benefits to them, so I don't use them.
My experience:
I enjoy Virginia tobaccos in 9mm charcoal filter pipes. There is something in Virginia that the filters catch, that allows me to enjoy the sweetness and flavor everyone raves about. Without the filter, all I taste is harsh, acrid ash. I have three 9mm filter pipes.
I have a 6mm Savinelli Bing's Favorite that smokes sweet with the balsa filter, and horribly without, no matter what I put in it. But it is great with Virginia, VaPer blends, and Sutliff Revelation Match. I have even tried this pipe with the 6mm adapter, but it smokes better with the balsa filter.
Bitey aromatics don't bite as bad with the 9mm filter pipes.
Otherwise, I do not use a filter for Latakia based or VaPer blends, nor for some aromatics. The filters take away from those blends.
I do use the filter in my cobs, and my Dr. Grabow pipes. But honestly, I do not find that the paper filters do anything different to the smoke.
My background: I own 87 pipes, including Dunhill, high grade Petersons, Mark Tinsky and Randy Wiley pipes. I have been piping since 1976. My favorite pipes are a Peterson Grafton 999 & St. Patricks Day 150, a Neerup bent brandy, and a Rattray's Craggy Root bent pot.
As far as filters go, don't dismiss it till you have tried it. The 9mm filter is the best selling pipe in Germany and other European countries. It isn't for everyone, but it might be for you.
I enjoy Virginia tobaccos in 9mm charcoal filter pipes. There is something in Virginia that the filters catch, that allows me to enjoy the sweetness and flavor everyone raves about. Without the filter, all I taste is harsh, acrid ash. I have three 9mm filter pipes.
I have a 6mm Savinelli Bing's Favorite that smokes sweet with the balsa filter, and horribly without, no matter what I put in it. But it is great with Virginia, VaPer blends, and Sutliff Revelation Match. I have even tried this pipe with the 6mm adapter, but it smokes better with the balsa filter.
Bitey aromatics don't bite as bad with the 9mm filter pipes.
Otherwise, I do not use a filter for Latakia based or VaPer blends, nor for some aromatics. The filters take away from those blends.
I do use the filter in my cobs, and my Dr. Grabow pipes. But honestly, I do not find that the paper filters do anything different to the smoke.
My background: I own 87 pipes, including Dunhill, high grade Petersons, Mark Tinsky and Randy Wiley pipes. I have been piping since 1976. My favorite pipes are a Peterson Grafton 999 & St. Patricks Day 150, a Neerup bent brandy, and a Rattray's Craggy Root bent pot.
As far as filters go, don't dismiss it till you have tried it. The 9mm filter is the best selling pipe in Germany and other European countries. It isn't for everyone, but it might be for you.
I love my Savenelli filter pipes, and almost always use the filter in them. I've not found that the balsa inserts affect the flavor or draw in any way, and it seems to reduce bite (I imagine the balsa absorbs some of the steam from the burning tobacco).
The paper filters used in Grabow pipes do affect the draw and flavor, but they also make some aromatics more palatable. The charcoal filters, however, work better.
Denocitea makes filter crystals, which you sprinkle in the bottom of the bowl and then load the tobacco on top of them. It basically creates an air pocket at the bottom (similar to the Frank method of loading a pipe), and they also seem to absorb a lot of the nastier elements. Again, they seem to reduce tongue bite a great deal.
To each their own, though!
The paper filters used in Grabow pipes do affect the draw and flavor, but they also make some aromatics more palatable. The charcoal filters, however, work better.
Denocitea makes filter crystals, which you sprinkle in the bottom of the bowl and then load the tobacco on top of them. It basically creates an air pocket at the bottom (similar to the Frank method of loading a pipe), and they also seem to absorb a lot of the nastier elements. Again, they seem to reduce tongue bite a great deal.
To each their own, though!
The first few responses to this thread were rather negative and I get that. I use filters in the pipes that have space for them and use Blitz filters which work well with slight "drag" in the flow. Less tooth staining, less tars (presumably) and no diminution of the taste. I will try the Stanwell filters and see if the flow is a bit better. Let's face it: the stuff we smoke does have its detractors...
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