I just don't get it

khartman

Starting to Get Obsessed

Jan 6, 2015

129

6

• Feb 18, 2015

• #1

So I packed a pipe this morning before I went out to shovel the snow in my driveway. Was kind of a quick thumb packed job w/ FM Cellar. Now up to this moment I haven't been able to get the packing down to minimize the relights. During my time shoveling I did the initial light and then tamp and relight.....stayed lit pretty much through the whole bowl. I was puffing a little fast but I feel I do that with every bowl. Normally I've been sitting in my garage listening to a sports podcast and enjoying the bowl and never stay lit for long. I go outside and put in a little work and maybe it was puffing a little fast, maybe the pack job. I just don't get it, but I don't think I've ever dropped the tobacco in and just packed it with my thumb. Maybe that's what I need to do......I'm just hoping the snow shoveling had nothing to do with it.

 

ivapewithfire

Starting to Get Obsessed

Nov 26, 2014

268

0

West Virginia, USA

• Feb 18, 2015

• #2

Apparently you just need to shovel snow every time you smoke.
Seriously it probably has more to do with not focusing on smoking than any particular thing.
I know that I seem to have less re-lights if I'm doing something else while I'm smoking (reading, surfing the web, something that takes my focus off the pipe).
Same thing with the packing. The less I think about it, the better it seems to burn.

 

W

wilson

Part of the Furniture Now

Apr 17, 2013

719

1

• Feb 18, 2015

• #3

As far as I can tell, packing is a very much a touch / feel thing. Maybe you are starting to get the feel for it.

 

warren

Lifer

Sep 13, 2013

11,722

16,315

Foothills of the Chugach Range, AK

• Feb 18, 2015

• #4

Rob hit it! You were smoking more or less unconsciously, concentrating on not giving yourself a heart attack and, not the pipe.

 

clickklick

Lifer

May 5, 2014

1,700

212

• Feb 18, 2015

• #5

That and the extra movement during shoveling increases airflow to the bowl which stokes the embers so to speak.

 

buroak

Lifer

Jul 29, 2014

1,867

14

• Feb 18, 2015

• #6

Yep, Rob has the right of it, and I think clickklick is correct as well. The greater air movement out-of-doors probably also helped. My best smokes are generally had when I am outside and not thinking about the act of smoking.

 

T

thehappypiper

Can't Leave

Feb 27, 2014

303

0

• Feb 18, 2015

• #7

It gets very hot and humid in the summer in Jiangsu Province and we all know that air conditioning is the machine of the devil when it comes to sucking all the lif out of the air. But having a smoke on a veranda in the evening is a revelation. Oxygen. Is the key.

 

jkrug

Lifer

Jan 23, 2015

2,867

8

• Feb 18, 2015

• #8

Was it windy/breezy out?

Wind would fan the flame so to speak along with what the other fellows mentioned.

 

smeigs

Lifer

Jun 26, 2012

1,049

7

• Feb 18, 2015

• #9

Pipes actually only stay lit if you are shoveling snow. Sorry.... looks like every time you want a bowl to last, your going to have to shovel.

 

cortezattic

Lifer

Nov 19, 2009

15,147

7,638

Chicago, IL

• Feb 18, 2015

• #10

Smoking outdoors, especially in the cold, while doing something that distracts you, is how you burnout a pipe bowl.

 

bulldogbriar89

Part of the Furniture Now

Oct 3, 2014

644

1

• Feb 18, 2015

• #11

it could be the back. I think it might also have to do with the wind keeping the cherry hot to keep it lit. I know that is usually what happens to me if i am out smoking on a breezy day.

 

jmmize

Starting to Get Obsessed

Dec 19, 2014

124

0

• Feb 18, 2015

• #12

You were doing it without much thought and great results!

 

khartman

Starting to Get Obsessed

Jan 6, 2015

129

6

• Feb 18, 2015

• #13

Well hopefully it was more from wind and not shoveling. I love MInnesota with all my heart, but I don't miss those winters here in Viriginia!!

 

johnnyiii

Can't Leave

Nov 30, 2013

320

7

hertford nc

• Feb 18, 2015

• #14

I work outside a lot and find bowls always burn better outside. Airflow I guess. Watch the heavy puffing though ... don't want tongue bite.

 

delkhouri

Can't Leave

May 4, 2013

448

22

Columbus Ohio

• Feb 18, 2015

• #15

I'd be happy to let you shovel my driveway so you can smoke and test out this no need to relight while shoveling theory.

 

T

thehappypiper

Can't Leave

Feb 27, 2014

303

0

• Feb 18, 2015

• #16

There is a Zen anecdote which runs like this: A Zen Master was supervising his disciple's calligraphy one day. The disciple had practiced and practiced and was technically very gifted. His characters were elegant, sinuous and flowing. Every time he wrote the character for "nothingness", he would look to his master for approval. But the master would simply sigh and say "Be the brush, be the ink, be the paper! Dont write, surrender to the writing!" The disciple took umbrage at this advice- he knew his calligraphy was flawless. Over and over this process repeated itself until the Master shouted, "No! No! You will never be the calligraphy if you cling to your mind!" Another disciple then asked the master to attend to an administrative matter and as he rose to go outside, the disciple quickly wrote "I hate this lesson." The master turned, saw the calligraphy and said "Finally, you understand."