When do you enter the "zone"?

I'm curious to see how others pass judgement on new to them blends or what is the most anticipated part of a bowl full of a regularly smoked tobacco. Most of the time, particularly with VaPer's, I find the sublime region kicks in just prior to and on through the mid bowl portion of the smoke. I'm not suggesting the first or last third is boring or without body it's just an observation. Recently I've been re-grouping my pipe rotation to seperate bowls with conical chambers and those with U shaped or flat bottom pots with my intentions being that I only smoke flakes or gently rubbed or broken Kake in the conical bowls, ribbon cut or coarse shag in the others. I'm finding that I am enjoying a more prolonged sweet spot by being this discriminate. Previously I'd experience (with some pipes) some harsher smoking in the top end of the smoke more so with Va's or VaPer's then it'd smooth out. By choosing the conical drilled chambers much of that has resolved itself.

I hope I'm making some sense here, it's late, I'm about ready to turn in but this was on my mind and I'm curious if anyone has a shared or different opinion or has their own SOP that they follow as it relates to the cut or form of the tobacco.

I have to read Mr. Pease's piece on chamber shape versus blend. As I've progressed more and more into flakes it has become easier for me to accomplish the "fold&stuff" technique and I also smoke coins without rubbing them out although they tend to fall apart somewhat. Having the ability to consistently pull off what was once next to impossible for me is very gratifying and it's simplified things dramatically. If I'm taking the dog out for a walk or run I can simply and quickly prepare a flake, load and light. Usually once I get a good true light, I stick on a wind cap and I'm good to go for a long, tasty and satisfying smoke. Another theory I have with the conical chamber and un-rubbed flake is that it allows for an air pocket just above the draft hole. Gentle tamping whilst working through the bowl maintains that pocket and I generally get a dry smoke. A pipe cleaner will pass to the back of the bowl at least until I've burned down the tobacco well past the half way mark.