5 Pieces of Advice

[Hampshire Pipes & Cigars]

1. Get good advice from the store before buying your first pipe
2. Listen and take heed to that good advice!
3. Buy small sample packs of tobacco and try them all
4. Listen to and learn from experienced smokers
5. Sit back, enjoy, don’t give up straight away

 

[Irish Piper]

OK, several people have mentioned straight pipes. Why? I've only got one that is semi-straight, the stem is curved a bit. I've mostly bought bent because I like the looks of them better.

 

[mycroftholmes]

Begin by smoking a stronger tobacco rather than an aromatic

 

[Morrison Jeremiah]

1. Experiment with moisture levels and packing densities to learn what works best for you.
2. Take your time and be patient with the process.
3. Keep your pipe clean, and clean after you use it.
4. Relighting is fine. Smoking a pipe is not a stunt.
5. Figure out what you want to get from pipe smoking and learn what you need to learn to attain that goal.

Take good note. These are the only pieces of advice worth listening to. Forget all the rest.

 

[puff_not_snuff]

Buy a Falcon, buy Newminister 400, Frank method, don't fret over the tobacco and number of pipes others here have, either enjoy smoking a pipe or not.

 

[Sir Yak]

OK, several people have mentioned straight pipes. Why? I've only got one that is semi-straight, the stem is curved a bit. I've mostly bought bent because I like the looks of them better.

I think a lot of people feel that they smoke dryer either bc less saliva runs down the pipe or moisture from the smoke doesn’t collect in the shank as much. Also bc proper drilling may be easier to achieve in straight shapes.

 

[Sweet Home Alabama]

"Rule number one, obey all the rules" Barney Fife.

 

[JKoD]

OK, several people have mentioned straight pipes. Why? I've only got one that is semi-straight, the stem is curved a bit. I've mostly bought bent because I like the looks of them better.

Function over form is the most likely response(s) you’ll get. I do find the conversation interesting and there are some die hard believers. So, be careful what you say about straight pipes…you might get shanked.

 

[Irish Piper]

Function over form is the most likely response(s) you’ll get. I do find the conversation interesting and there are some die hard believers. So, be careful what you say about straight pipes…you might get shanked.

To each his own is what I say. ?

I just think that straight pipes aren't really my style.

I assumed that the reason people were recommending them was because of some sort of functional difference, but I've also read that there really isn't one. So I was a bit confused.

 

[monty55]

There's a lot of great advice listed above. I seriously doubt I could add anything that hasn't been suggest already. Jesse said it best, I think. I guess I might add that when it comes to flakes, try several different prep methods to decide which suits you best. Rub out, fold and stuff, or cube cut. And above all, have fun!

 

[Ksigel]

If you could give 5 pieces of advice (only 5) to a new pipe smoker, what would you give?

1. It’s a learning process. Enjoy the learning.
2. Read, try, learn
3. Dry tobacco
4. Take your time
5. It’s supposed to be fun - buy and do what you enjoy

 

[nathaniel]

1. Pack loose, gradually tamp tighter as needed if going out too often
2. You dont have to smoke it all. Throw out the bottom half if it starts to taste bad.
3. Learn to retrohale- smell the tobacco.
4. Smoke slowly.
5. It takes time to get the hang of it. A long time. Relights arent bad.

 

[drrock]

1. Don't overthink it - smoking a pipe is meant to be relaxing. Enjoy the journey!
2. Smoke what you like & like what you smoke. Don't worry about what others might think.
3. Having to relight frequently isn't a sign of weakness.
4. Stir the dottle & use pipe cleaners liberally.
5. If you have to choose between buying another pipe or buying more tobacco, buy more tobacco.

 

[JOHN72]

Do not use filters.................

 

[JKoD]

To each his own is what I say. ?

Yes.

 

[Andriko]

1: Pipe smoking is not as hard as we make it sound.
2: Relax and enjoy yourself.
3: Most of the 'famous' blends are overrated.
4: Most of the advice you get is crap
5: Stuff it and smoke it. You'll figure it out.

 

[sablebrush52]

Just don't mention water flushing. Or the quality, or lack of thereof, of Petersons. ?
If you do, make sure you have your Hazmat suit on for the ensuing shit fight. ?

What about water flushing Petersons?

 

[SherlockHolmes]

Do not use filters.................

Do filters take away from the experience or something?

 

[kcghost]

What hoosierpipeguy said,

 

[JOHN72]

Do filters take away from the experience or something?

The only thing it takes away from me with filters is motivation, or the desire to smoke. Just a suggestion. It makes the smoke taste like a kick in the stomach. Trial and error. Don't take it the wrong way.