Do you really notice a difference in flavor, burn, etc in the different size bowls with different blends?
Different pipes for different tobaccos, Myth?
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I do for sure, smaller diameter bowls just don't provide me with the flavour that a large chamber does. That said, managing a large chamber takes a bit of getting accustomed too.
Of course. Have you ever made a fire in a fire pit. Pit design, shape, and materials all impact the rate of burn, the amount and rate of Oxygen that can flow into the fire, the way the heat dissipates outward as well as the movement of the heat. Change the wood from Hickory to Pine and you will notice that the way each burns is impacted by the characteristics of the pit. Even the cut and trim of the woods will impact the fire and contribute to the various burn characteristics that one will observe.
I’ve done several “semi-scientific” tests on just this topic. Using a large, cylinder-chambered pot and a thin, conical Zulu with the same tobacco sometimes I do and sometimes I don’t see much of a difference. I have two home-made cobs with the same exact tobacco holding capacity. One has a taller, conical chamber and the other is more like a pot. So far, I have not noticed much of a difference in taste or duration of smoke.
My big caveat is that I usually smoke while I’m doing something else (dog walking, yard work) and always outside. On the rare occasions when I can just sit, relax and enjoy an hour or so to myself – those occasions are always my best, longest lasting smokes.
It’s my opinion that the smoker and smoking situation has the largest impact on the smoking. Pipe shapes, amount of drying, differences in packing, style of lighter - they probably all have some impact, but a relaxed smoker with a nice location and time to enjoy a bowl will be the best medicine for a great smoke.
My big caveat is that I usually smoke while I’m doing something else (dog walking, yard work) and always outside. On the rare occasions when I can just sit, relax and enjoy an hour or so to myself – those occasions are always my best, longest lasting smokes.
It’s my opinion that the smoker and smoking situation has the largest impact on the smoking. Pipe shapes, amount of drying, differences in packing, style of lighter - they probably all have some impact, but a relaxed smoker with a nice location and time to enjoy a bowl will be the best medicine for a great smoke.
this is a great analogy! Some folks say they don’t really notice much difference, some say that flakes should be in thinner and longer chambers, etc
interesting! One thing i haven’t done yet is smoking a pipe while doing yard work, how do you keep it clenched for long periods of time?
No myth! I notice differences. For instance, high grade Italians smoke English blends better than others. 
interesting. does the bowl size make a difference?No myth! I notice differences. For instance, high grade Italians smoke English blends better than others.
yep it can have a great impact on flavor. But simply drying your tobacco differently, or preparing it a day ahead instead of an hour ahead will have greater impact
yes but less impactfully then technique does. And some pipes just seem to like certain types of tobacco more then others. Hell even if there was no mechanical physics type difference there would be a psychological effect. Think for example how a heavier pipe would impact your perception of the smoke or subtly change the way you smoke, versus the same thing with a lighter pipe.
Not with different bowl size but different pipes, even with similar bowl size. The pipe matters more than the bowl size imho.
In my experience, there are differences in the performance of some tobaccos in different pipes, but it's mostly a matter of personal taste.
There are no hard and fast rules that work for everyone; in my opinion, it's impossible to create a sort of list of pipe/tobacco pairings that will satisfy everyone in a "scientific" sense.
This is also the beauty of pipe smoking: everyone experiments and perhaps finds their favorite combinations.
Some pipes that others love haven't given me much satisfaction, and the same goes for tobaccos.
The only thing I would recommend is that when you find a blend you really like, try it in different pipes, and if you find a favorite combination, dedicate it exclusively to that tobacco, especially if you intend to stock up on that tobacco to smoke for years to come.
There are no hard and fast rules that work for everyone; in my opinion, it's impossible to create a sort of list of pipe/tobacco pairings that will satisfy everyone in a "scientific" sense.
This is also the beauty of pipe smoking: everyone experiments and perhaps finds their favorite combinations.
Some pipes that others love haven't given me much satisfaction, and the same goes for tobaccos.
The only thing I would recommend is that when you find a blend you really like, try it in different pipes, and if you find a favorite combination, dedicate it exclusively to that tobacco, especially if you intend to stock up on that tobacco to smoke for years to come.
Before we go to far with it's only in one's head - wine from the same bottle will taste different depending on the type and shape of glass wine one samples it from. It's a small change and generally only noticed if one is paying attention to the taste and smell of the wine when sampling it. But it is noticeable.
However - for the most part I really don't care about such minor changes - I am fairly low brow about those type of things. Except beer from a bottle doesn't do it for me - I really do prefer it our of a glass.
However - for the most part I really don't care about such minor changes - I am fairly low brow about those type of things. Except beer from a bottle doesn't do it for me - I really do prefer it our of a glass.
I once did a "tasting" with the same wine from the same bottle into different glasses and let everyone pick their "favorite".
Most felt they liked one over the others......
That was fun.
Like everything, it depends.
For me, in general, it doesn't matter which blend I drop in which bowl. However, for English blends, I tend to like a wider bowl where I have more surface area lit. I like a deeper bowl with blends that respond well to changes in temperature, like KBV and Country Squire. But ultimately, I pick a pipe based on what it's ghosted with and how much time I have to smoke.
For me, in general, it doesn't matter which blend I drop in which bowl. However, for English blends, I tend to like a wider bowl where I have more surface area lit. I like a deeper bowl with blends that respond well to changes in temperature, like KBV and Country Squire. But ultimately, I pick a pipe based on what it's ghosted with and how much time I have to smoke.
I think the easiest example of how a glass effects taste for the novice is the cocktail glass also known as a martini glass. That shape first lowers surface area which keeps the drink colder for longer. But that odd shape not only makes it easier for the drinker to sip the drink then to chug it down but the lip is less extremely curved (not sure right term) causing a broader spill onto the tongue spreading out the liquids causing larger exposure to taste buds. The point being if it's obvious how that glass can change the experience then the other glass types could do it too in a way that's not as easy to see.
Where as I find bottles to be the best way to drink beer, although I'd rather drink almost anything else.
And as far as subtle goes... Yeah no one is probably going to have a light bulb moment with a wine or blend because of the right vessel. It's possible but one thing you realize when you make any art or artisan craft, that subtle still effects the customer even if they don't know it. Learning how to write dialog and how to drive a story while layering subtext isn't something the average reader is going to break apart but they will like the story if the artist thinks about it. It will make them feel better or worse about the characters. My point even if you don't notice a difference some part of you might.