How Long Did It Take You?

sparrowhawk

Lifer

Jul 24, 2013

2,941

220

• Oct 23, 2017

• #1

...To learn how to properly smoke a pipe, that is? I know it was a couple of years before I realized I was filling my pipe properly with barely the touch of a tamper, had developed an unconscious breathing rhythm, and so forth. Did it take you others so long? I should point out I had nothing but the forum's help in grabbing the reins of pipe smoking, but no personal instruction.

 

Chasing Embers

Captain of the Black Frigate

Nov 12, 2014

45,618

121,351

• Oct 23, 2017

• #2

When I started, the internet didn't exist. I started in early Summer '91, and by Christmas of that year I was smoking a pipe without thinking about it, so about six or seven months.

 

nevadablue

Lifer

Jun 5, 2017

1,192

4

• Oct 23, 2017

• #3

I am happy with my progress. I am comfortable with the pipe now, no burnt tongue, pipe works well. About 5 months this trip. I had not smoked much at all for about 10 years and back then only smoked for about 8 months or so.

The forum helped a LOT. I am sure that learning by myself would have taken a lot longer.

 

anthonyrosenthal74

Lifer

Jan 8, 2013

7,516

856

• Oct 23, 2017

• #4

I think I got off to a ok start from day one, but the forums definitely helped me refine my technique and learn most of the dos and don'ts.

 

pipestud

Lifer

Dec 6, 2012

2,012

1,771

Robinson, TX.

• Oct 23, 2017

• #5

I've been smoking my pipes for 40 plus years and am getting close to getting the hang of it... I think.

 

cortezattic

Lifer

Nov 19, 2009

15,147

7,642

Chicago, IL

• Oct 23, 2017

• #6

Too long ago to remember, but I did struggle with scorched tongue in those early days weeks months -- that's it, months -- smoking moist aromatics. Then, one day, a clerk at Iwan Ries turned me on to their British blends, and it was downhill from then on. (I still haven't learned to not end sentences with a preposition.)

 

prairiedruid

Lifer

Jun 30, 2015

2,050

1,330

• Oct 23, 2017

• #7

Sort of like the benefit of aging tobacco; first 6 months to a year the most improvement, after that slowly incremental change for the better.

 

zack24

Lifer

May 11, 2013

1,726

2

• Oct 23, 2017

• #8

It took me 2 years...or maybe it's just a matter of the tobacco I opened 2 years ago is getting a little drier and burns better...

 

ray47

Lifer

Jul 10, 2015

2,451

5,633

Dalzell, South Carolina

• Oct 23, 2017

• #9

I've been smoking a pipe for 50 yrs and to be honest it's an ongoing learning process.

 

loneredtree

Part of the Furniture Now

May 27, 2011

569

183

Sierra Foothills

• Oct 23, 2017

• #10

+ 1 ray. Still making break throughs after 50+ years

 

fitzy

Lifer

Nov 13, 2012

2,937

28

NY

• Oct 23, 2017

• #11

I'm still struggling after all these years.
Hell I'm struggling right now as I write this to try and figure out why I can't keep this bowl of Mike & Russ Mind Meld Va/Per lit. I didn't over pack it and I barely tamped it after the charring light.

 

archerdarkpint

Starting to Get Obsessed

Oct 23, 2010

149

490

• Oct 23, 2017

• #12

Echo some of the others. Nearly 20 years now and still learn something new and sometimes unexpected.

 

PaulTheScandinavian

Lifer

Jul 28, 2016

8,122

43,482

Finland-Scandinavia-EU

• Oct 23, 2017

• #13

Being here on this forum helped me a lot, but still I keep searching for the answer how on the earth I could avoid that leathery tongue feel which I often am experiencing, Ok Biotene comes to help.

 

sablebrush52

The Bard Of Barlings

Jun 15, 2013

21,230

51,448

Southern Oregon

jrs457.wixsite.com

• Oct 23, 2017

• #14

47 years in, still working on it.

 

gloucesterman

Lifer

Jan 4, 2015

1,858

11

Massachusetts

• Oct 23, 2017

• #15

I've been pipe smoking for over 50 years now and the learning has slowed down (or maybe it's just me!) but it never stops. Someone here always provokes a new idea I hadn't contemplated. It's what keeps it fun.

 

indianafrank

Part of the Furniture Now

Oct 15, 2014

950

5

• Oct 23, 2017

• #16

After coming back to the pipe a few years ago I'm learning a lot.
fitzy -

Hell I'm struggling right now as I write this to try and figure out why I can't keep this bowl of Mike & Russ Mind Meld Va/Per lit. I didn't over pack it and I barely tamped it after the charring light.

Click to expand...

For the life of me there are certain tobaccos I just cannot keep lit regardless of how I pack the pipe. So I've given up on them and will only smoke the less difficult.

 

jpmcwjr

Lifer

May 12, 2015

26,264

30,361

Carmel Valley, CA

• Oct 23, 2017

• #17

Without much problem 50 years ago, a couple of months. But I had a great mentor. Since re-taking it up a few years ago, much learning has occurred. Another 20 years and I think I may have it mastered.......

 

btwes7

Lifer

Jul 3, 2017

1,308

3,594

Pennsylvania

• Oct 23, 2017

• #18

Not too long. When most kids were asking for a sip of their Dads beer, I was asking my Dad for a puff off his pipe.

 

jndyer

Lifer

Jul 1, 2012

1,020

727

Central Oregon

• Oct 23, 2017

• #19

I have been learning since I picked up the pipe nearly ten years ago. I have been able to pack a bowl and smoke it with decent results after just a few months; however, I continue to have breakthroughs which keep improving my smoking experiences. Basically, I thought I knew a lot in the past, but now realize I did not know as much as I thought I did. I am sure in another ten years I will be in the same boat.

 

hawky454

Lifer

Feb 11, 2016

5,338

10,235

Austin, TX

• Oct 23, 2017

• #20

This is good thread!
I’ve been smoking a pipe pretty close to 8 years now and just from memory I feel like I got it down pretty quick and was lucky to find English blends early on in my journey as they are pretty darn forgiving. Once I got into VA’s it took me a lot longer to master and just like others had said before me, it’s an ongoing process and I don’t think I’ll ever stop learning. It’s a new challenge every time I get a new blend and/or a new pipe and I think it’s all part of the fun, keeps me on my toes.