...I'm progressing.
The first ounce or so that I smoked scarred my tongue. I did research how to pack, light and smoke, but I must have missed the BIG BOLD warning about tongue bite, or whatever it is called. (I mean, why the hell isn't that the first thing on the list of things to write about when writing about how to smoke a pipe?)
Anyway, despite a few war wounds, I decided to forge ahead. Having been a cigar snob for several years, I decided that I would put in the time and effort to learn this thing.
I tried English tobaccos thinking that my cigar background would lead me to prefer them, but I soon found that this wasn't so. In hindsight, this makes sense; the cigars I love have a mellow, almost chocolate feel to them.
After reading more, I learned how to sip. I learned about the zones of combustion, distillation and condensation. I learned that voluminous, billowing mouthfuls of smoke, like one gets in a good cigar, are not requisite to enjoying a pipe. I learned that cobs are cool.
I ventured into the tin. I've found that I like some "premium aromatics" and some ocean-going blends.
And, thinking myself intelligent enough to clean one, and fix another, loose stem, I've lost two pipes. So much for being able to "screw in a light bulb."
Most recently, I (re) discovered the air pocket method for packing a pipe. And, although this is more difficult than the three step method while one is driving a car, I find that I can taste the blend right down to the end. (Hey, that rhym...oh never mind.) I am also finding less un-burned tobacco in the bowl. Very often, I am able to keep a pipe lit with just the initial pass of the lighter.
I have a collection (some of which is in transit as I write this) that I am happy with. I can't smoke in the house, but I still have my deck (I'm researching outdoor heating) and my buddies haven't excommunicated me from the cigar store yet.
So, I will continue. I am eager to know, to have the experience of those who were born with pipes in their mouths, but I will try to learn with the patience with which I am supposed to smoke.
In the meantime, damn...I'm having fun.
The first ounce or so that I smoked scarred my tongue. I did research how to pack, light and smoke, but I must have missed the BIG BOLD warning about tongue bite, or whatever it is called. (I mean, why the hell isn't that the first thing on the list of things to write about when writing about how to smoke a pipe?)
Anyway, despite a few war wounds, I decided to forge ahead. Having been a cigar snob for several years, I decided that I would put in the time and effort to learn this thing.
I tried English tobaccos thinking that my cigar background would lead me to prefer them, but I soon found that this wasn't so. In hindsight, this makes sense; the cigars I love have a mellow, almost chocolate feel to them.
After reading more, I learned how to sip. I learned about the zones of combustion, distillation and condensation. I learned that voluminous, billowing mouthfuls of smoke, like one gets in a good cigar, are not requisite to enjoying a pipe. I learned that cobs are cool.
I ventured into the tin. I've found that I like some "premium aromatics" and some ocean-going blends.
And, thinking myself intelligent enough to clean one, and fix another, loose stem, I've lost two pipes. So much for being able to "screw in a light bulb."
Most recently, I (re) discovered the air pocket method for packing a pipe. And, although this is more difficult than the three step method while one is driving a car, I find that I can taste the blend right down to the end. (Hey, that rhym...oh never mind.) I am also finding less un-burned tobacco in the bowl. Very often, I am able to keep a pipe lit with just the initial pass of the lighter.
I have a collection (some of which is in transit as I write this) that I am happy with. I can't smoke in the house, but I still have my deck (I'm researching outdoor heating) and my buddies haven't excommunicated me from the cigar store yet.
So, I will continue. I am eager to know, to have the experience of those who were born with pipes in their mouths, but I will try to learn with the patience with which I am supposed to smoke.
In the meantime, damn...I'm having fun.
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