Here’s how I break in a new pipe. First my methodology. If the pipe has a lacquered chamber or is stained, I’ll take 220 -320 grit sand paper & scuff it out, then follow with a QTip moistened with alcohol & wipe til clead. Then set it aside for 12 hrs to dry. If chamber is charcoal coated or bare, I skip this step.
I’ll start with 2-3 bowls of a mild blend such as Prince aAlbert or Carter Hall. Then I’ll try out a straight Virginia, 2-3 bowls. If the Virginias do well, I’ll dedicate it to those blends.
I’ll progress to a VAPER & note it’s performance. Then proceed to a Burley blend & note performance. From there I’ll either go with a light Aromatic or a Oriental / Latakia blend based on which I prefer in the pipe.
NOTES: I prefer this blend regimen as each tobacco type will tend to ghost the pipe in intensity in this progression. In other words, once it has a number of Oriental runs through the pipe, Virginias tend to loose nuance. I’ll stop with the blend type that smokes the best. Sometimes I’ll dedicate to a particular blend. After each bowl, I’ll clean out the stem with pipe cleaners & the bowl with qtips.
Will be interesting to see how other pipers approach this issue.
I’ll start with 2-3 bowls of a mild blend such as Prince aAlbert or Carter Hall. Then I’ll try out a straight Virginia, 2-3 bowls. If the Virginias do well, I’ll dedicate it to those blends.
I’ll progress to a VAPER & note it’s performance. Then proceed to a Burley blend & note performance. From there I’ll either go with a light Aromatic or a Oriental / Latakia blend based on which I prefer in the pipe.
NOTES: I prefer this blend regimen as each tobacco type will tend to ghost the pipe in intensity in this progression. In other words, once it has a number of Oriental runs through the pipe, Virginias tend to loose nuance. I’ll stop with the blend type that smokes the best. Sometimes I’ll dedicate to a particular blend. After each bowl, I’ll clean out the stem with pipe cleaners & the bowl with qtips.
Will be interesting to see how other pipers approach this issue.