Pipes Magazine » General Pipe Smoking Discussion

1. 

   eric
   

   New Member
   Joined: Feb 2012
   Posts: 5

   offline

   Login to Send PM

   Hey guys,

   I'm Eric and I'm 42 and live in Virginia. I smoked cigars for a couple of years and have always loved the smell of pipe tobacco so I finally bought one at a nearby Havana Connection. I also bought an ounce of vanilla and an ounce of cherry cavendish. I don't know who makes it since they were in jars with handmade labels.

   I've only smoked it a few times and I seem to have made every rookie mistake there is. I packed it way too tight so it kept going out. Each time after I would pack it much looser and that helped but I still have trouble keeping it lit. I'm guessing the tobacco is too moist? If so, how to I fix that. The tobacco is still in the ziplock bags that I bought them in. Do I just wait for a while before trying them again or should I open the bag every now and then to let the moisture out?

   Any help is much appreciated.

   Posted 3 months ago #
2. 

   thesmokindragon
   

   Senior Member
   Joined: Jul 2011
   Posts: 1,784

   offline

   Login to Send PM

   Pinch out a bowl or two you plan to smoke, place out on a paper-plate (whatever)
   and let it dry for a few hours...do the pinch-test on it so see if it is still too wet, when pinched,
   it should be springy and fall apart easily, if it still stays clumped together, it is
   still to moist to smoke...I find Aros need extra dry time....

   I have a home-blend I'm letting dry as I type this: Brazilian black cav,
   1-Q and some butternut burley...oh the delight when it is ready
   but must wait for it, otherwise if too wet it will steam and be muted in flavor

   Posted 3 months ago #
3. 

   sherlock
   

   Senior Member
   Joined: Aug 2011
   Posts: 495

   offline

   Login to Send PM

   Welcome to the forum/ hobby/ lifestyle! I think that smokingdragon pretty much covered drying. You should keep your tobacco in a bag or something so it doesn't dry out too much. You may want to buy some mason jars, because the are a much better storage solution in the long run. Especially when TAD (Tobacco Acquisition Disorder) kicks in and you have more tobacco than you know what to do with.

   Posted 3 months ago #
4. 

   eric
   

   New Member
   Joined: Feb 2012
   Posts: 5

   offline

   Login to Send PM

   Thank you. I will do that next time.

   Posted 3 months ago #
5. 

   buster
   

   Senior Member
   Joined: Sep 2011
   Posts: 489

   offline

   Login to Send PM

   A more experianced pipe smoker once told me he packs a bowl before bed. Then leaves it for the next day. Works very well for the first bowl of the day.

   It took me a while to get some techniques down. I packed to tight and did not dry aro's enough also. I smoked to fast and that made the pipe gurgle and smoke hot. After figuring out what I was doing my enjoyment increased ten fold. I have to say this site and the kind gents here helped me quite a bit with my learning curve. With that said, welcome and a virtual high five to Kevin for creating the site.

   If you are wrong and you shut up, you are wise. If you are right, and you shut up, you are married.

   Posted 3 months ago #
6. 

   nsfisher
   

   Member
   Joined: Nov 2011
   Posts: 1,750

   offline

   Login to Send PM

   yup. welcome mate. pack. light . puff. ull git the hang of er in time. lots of mistakes to make and learn from. why, just think. in prob. no more than 10-20 years ull start to git the hang of it. lololol. Part of the joy of piping is lessons learned!!!!!!! Most aro's, i jar em an leave the cover loose for at least a week. but thats just me

   Now i gotta larn how to reed and rite good

   Posted 3 months ago #
7. 

   pipetrucker
   

   Preferred Member
   Joined: Sep 2010
   Posts: 992

   offline

   Login to Send PM

   Welcome, Eric. You have already received good advice there. Practice, practice and then practice some more. It will become second nature over time.

   Mason
   
   And though it is much to be a nobleman, it is more to be a gentleman. - Anthony Trollope

   Posted 3 months ago #
8. 

   Lawrence
   

   Mod
   Joined: Dec 2009
   Posts: 7,789

   online

   Login to Send PM

   Just a little FYI
   

   A more experianced pipe smoker once told me he packs a bowl before bed. Then leaves it for the next day. Works very well for the first bowl of the day.

   
   That is one aspect of the Acronym... DGT or Delayed Gratification Technique...
   I highly recommend it.

   
   My Pipe Slide Show
   

   Posted 3 months ago #
9. 

   Spartan
   

   Senior Member
   Joined: Aug 2011
   Posts: 1,534

   online

   Login to Send PM

   It's been rainy here in San Antonio, Texas lately so I am no longer able to just put my tobacco on a paper plate and let it dry. Because there's no way in hell it will; too much moisture in the air.

   So when things like these happen you have to get creative. Some fellas lay out their tobacco and put it under a warm desk lamp. Great idea, just make sure it is warm and not hot.

   Seeing as I dont have a desk lamp I'm tinkering with the idea of putting the oven on the lowest setting possible and letting the tobacco rest in there for half an hour. Just hot enough so it's an unfriendly environment for moisture. Again not hot.

   I'm in the process of getting a nice little desk lamp. Seems to be the best/cheapest/easiest option.

   "I was born to lose. So I'll die to win." -Breaking Benjamin

   Posted 3 months ago #
10. 

    eric
    

    New Member
    Joined: Feb 2012
    Posts: 5

    offline

    Login to Send PM

    Thanks again guys. Great advice. I will try it soon.

    Posted 3 months ago #
11. 

    puffy
    

    Preferred Member
    Joined: Dec 2010
    Posts: 517

    offline

    Login to Send PM

    Welcome to pipe smoking and the forum.One good thing about this place is you have good folks here who encourage and help other folks who want to know the best way to enjoy pipe smoking.Keep trying things until you find what works for you.I don't think we ever stop learning about pipes and tobacco.The best part is we get so much enjoyment while we're doing so.

    Life's most valuable treasure is..Love

    Posted 3 months ago #
12. 

    mrhooker93
    

    Junior Member
    Joined: Oct 2011
    Posts: 51

    offline

    Login to Send PM

    I am still a fairly new pipe smoker and one thing I have learned is it just takes time and practice. You will learn lots of good information on this forum. You have the very knowledge of experienced pipe smokers at your hand, so learn all you can! Enjoy your pipe!

    Posted 3 months ago #
13. 

    yohanan
    

    Senior Member
    Joined: Oct 2011
    Posts: 560

    offline

    Login to Send PM

    Hello Eric, and welcome to the forum.

    Posted 3 months ago #
14. 

    Jud
    

    Senior Member
    Joined: Sep 2011
    Posts: 1,162

    offline

    Login to Send PM

    Welcome aboard, Eric. I'll just second this idea: "practice,practice,practice".

    Thought in the early morning, solace in time of woes,
    Peace in the hush of the twilight, balm ere my eyelids close
    Rudyard Kipling

    Posted 3 months ago #
15. 

    hnryclay
    

    Member
    Joined: Jan 2012
    Posts: 387

    offline

    Login to Send PM

    Eric, where are you in Virginia? I live in the southwest part of the state near Virginia Tech, there are two really good shops down here that could help you out. From the post above I gather that you are in NOVA. Go to Shelly's back room in DC and look for other pipe smokers. Nice place, and you can smoke while you drink or after you eat. Also try George Town tobacco, some decent people there as well, although they seem to be more friendly if you look like you are going to drop some cash. Welcome to the forum!

    Posted 3 months ago #
16. 

    eric
    

    New Member
    Joined: Feb 2012
    Posts: 5

    offline

    Login to Send PM

    hnryclay - I'm in the Richmond area. Thanks for the tips.

    Posted 3 months ago #
17. 

    Philip
    

    Senior Member
    Joined: Oct 2011
    Posts: 1,057

    offline

    Login to Send PM

    I seem to have made every rookie mistake there is.

    
    Welcome to the forum. That's the way most of us learn, Eric.
    The best thing I learned as a beginner was to smoke slowly. Your pipe may go out a few times, but the tobacco will taste better, last longer, your pipe will gurgle less and your tongue will thank you.

    Here are a couple of pages which might help:
    Pipe Smoking Tips
    Beginner's Guide to Pipe Smoking

    Posted 3 months ago #
18. 

    eric
    

    New Member
    Joined: Feb 2012
    Posts: 5

    offline

    Login to Send PM

    I want to thank everyone for the tips. For the last week I've been drying out my aromatic tobacco and it has helped. I've worked on not packing so tight and trying to slow down while smoking.

    I've tried some different vanillas, a buttered rum and two types of cherry and haven't been impressed. They haven't had hardly any flavor and not much aroma. I tried a sweet vanilla this morning and it wasn't too bad. I tasted it more for 2 hours after than when I was smoking it.

    Well I just tried some Lane 1Q after dinner a bit ago and I loved it! I don't think it needed it but I dried it all afternoon on a paper towel. It was easy to light and keep lit. I just sat back on the balcony, relaxed and enjoyed it. It had a great aroma and it tasted great. Can some tell me if 1Q is an aromatic or not? I have some extra cash from teaching this weekend so I want to place another small order and I would like to try some non-aromatics. Any popular ones I should look into?

    Thanks in advance. Eric

    Posted 3 months ago #
19. 

    tokerpipes
    

    Member
    Joined: Jan 2012
    Posts: 1,508

    online

    Login to Send PM

    Welcome to the group.

    If you can't pack it, light it, and smoke it then why do it. It's a dieing art that must be rekindled in all of us as fortold by our forefathers.
    
    Words to live by for all pipe smokers.

    Posted 3 months ago #
20. 

    bigvan
    

    Preferred Member
    Joined: Mar 2011
    Posts: 993

    offline

    Login to Send PM

    "Can some tell me if 1Q is an aromatic or not?"

    Yeah, 1Q is an aromatic.

    Posted 3 months ago #
21. 

    pipetrucker
    

    Preferred Member
    Joined: Sep 2010
    Posts: 992

    offline

    Login to Send PM

    1Q is a great blend.

    There are many non-aromatics you can try. Just depends on what is available to you. To save yourself some money I would recommend visiting a tobacconist as they often have great advice as well as jars of bulk tobacco you can sample in your pipe to get an idea what you'll really like.

    If you can get your hands on a tin of Squadron Leader I would highly recommend it. Also, you can contact Uhle's in Milwaukee and get some great advice on some of their blends. I love their Bishop's Move (very strong non-aro blend) and their Irish Aromatic (Latakia blend with a light Irish Cream topping). They have a website but only take orders over the phone as they like to provide that personal service touch.

    Posted 3 months ago #
22. 

    Mick
    

    Member
    Joined: Dec 2011
    Posts: 1,183

    offline

    Login to Send PM

    Welcome Eric.

    Non Aro's is a whole other world of opportunities. I would try something with Latakia (Frog Morton or Dunhill Early Morning Pipe come to mind) and a Virginia / Perique (Haddo's delight or AJ's Va/ Per)

    From there, you can explore further what you like.

    Good luck.

    "The fact is, squire, the moment a man takes to a pipe, he becomes a philosopher. It's the poor man's friend; it calms the mind, soothes the temper, and makes a man patient under difficulties. It has made more good men, good husbands, kind masters, indulgent fathers, than any other blessed thing on this universal earth."
    -"Sam Slick, the clockmaker" aka T.C.Haliburton

    Posted 3 months ago #
23. 

    nsfisher
    

    Member
    Joined: Nov 2011
    Posts: 1,750

    offline

    Login to Send PM

    Hey mate: If you order from Pipes & Cigars the sampler pack is a terrific start, I believe its around 29.00 and u recieve 6 blends of about 2 oz each, its a great deal. Couple blends you could include are:

    Anniversary Kake
    Larry's Blend
    Steam Roller
    L.J. Burley

    Posted 3 months ago #
24. 

    Pipe Novelist
    

    Senior Member
    Joined: Jul 2011
    Posts: 1,206

    offline

    Login to Send PM

    From one Eric to another, Welcome! Here is something that I like to do for drying tobacco: Set the tobacco you need on a piece of paper, then take a desk lamp with a regular bulb, not the fluorescent kind, and turn the lamp on and set it over the tobacco. The heat will dry out the tobacco pretty damn quick, about 15 to 20 minutes, and it will be ready to smoke. Good luck and happy puffing!

    

    Posted 3 months ago #
25. 

    Anonymous
    

    Unregistered
    
    Posts: 524

    offline

    Login to Send PM

    welcome eric, you have already gotten some really good info here, hang in there with that pipe, things will get better in time in regards too pipe smoking. you will always get what you need here my freind.

    take care.

    mike.

    Posted 3 months ago #
26. 

    spyder71
    

    Senior Member
    Joined: Jul 2011
    Posts: 537

    offline

    Login to Send PM

    Looks like great advice already so I will just say... welcome to the forum!

    "I used to cry because I had no shoes. Until I met a man who had no feet"- My favorite and I use it to get by...
    
    Support The Epilepsy Awareness Foundation!

    Posted 3 months ago #
27. 

    pipedisciple
    

    Member
    Joined: Aug 2011
    Posts: 203

    offline

    Login to Send PM

    Welcome to the world of pipe smoking. A good tobacco to try is Prince Albert Cherry Vanilla, mild and zero bite plus it is inexpensive. Main thing is to smoke slow and enjoy. Regards, Sam

    Posted 3 months ago #
28. 

    civey
    

    New Member
    Joined: Jun 2011
    Posts: 19

    offline

    Login to Send PM

    Welcome!

    Posted 3 months ago #
29. 

    morlader
    

    Senior Member
    Joined: Mar 2011
    Posts: 431

    offline

    Login to Send PM

    Welcome Eric,you already got plenty of good advice from the kind people on here. Enjoy your baccy and pipes,I been smoking since the age of the dinosaures and still make the odd c---up

    Posted 3 months ago #

RSS feed for this topic

Reply

You must log in to post.

    Back To Top  | Back to Forum Home Page

   Members Online Now
   lordnoble, bailey331, spartan, storient, jameral, profpar, baronsamedi, jonahtke, assaad, tedswearingen, pstlpkr, barkar, acme, chispa, tokerpipes, gungnir, beewrangler2, ohin3