I don't have any cube cut tobacco, but I would agree. I did do some reading on fold and stuff as I have a lot of flake tobacco. I'm smoking some Port Guardian fold'n'stuff style in my Peterson system pipe currently. And it's going quite well. I'm starting to lean, after much thought, into keeping this pipe and giving it a shot.
A Little Disappointed in Recent Brulor Purchase
- Thread starter lithicus
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I want to clarify one comment I made earlier in this thread so as to not spread misinformation. The stinger on this pipe was indeed removable. Mine was a little stuck. But the twisted stinger did indeed pull out from the metal tube.
Also... I have no idea what this little insert is in the shank. But, perhaps, it is cork? Or, even if it is wood and not cork, perhaps the purpose of this is the same either way? To allow the stem to be removed while the pipe is still warm?
Also... I have no idea what this little insert is in the shank. But, perhaps, it is cork? Or, even if it is wood and not cork, perhaps the purpose of this is the same either way? To allow the stem to be removed while the pipe is still warm?
I did a little more research and it does indeed seem that there is cork in the shank. This doesn't seem terribly uncommon, although I'm not sure it is a regular occurrence.
I'm also not sure if a mod can change the title of this to something like "My New Brulor Billard" or something, but I pulled the trigger today and smoked out of it. I feel the "disappointed" title is misleading now and sort of bad press.
I thought the fold and stuff advice was well thought out. I also thought using a qtip to clean it after smoking was sound. So, after smoking a few bowls in my regular pipes fold'n'stuff style and having success, I tried the same thing with this pipe.
Overall, I was quite happy with the smoke. Especially given it has not yet broken in. The pipe stayed cool until I got to the bottom. The heel/shank started warming up. Not so hot I couldn't hold it, but given this was the first smoke I gave it a few minutes break to cool. This will get better with time as cake starts to form. There was no moisture left in the pipe when I had finished. The horn stem was more round than I realized, but still clenched well and had a nice soft feel it. Just a little softer than vulcanite I'd say.
My only complaint is, somewhat like I expected, tobacco/ash getting into the large draft hole. I tend to tamp at an angle and toward the draft hole when reaching the bottom of my pipes. When I used a qtip to clean this pipe out, a "plug of ash" made its way in there. Never got a mouthful of ash though, despite me taking the stinger off. So, that's a positive. I think I'll have to find a new way to tamp with this pipe while still being able to smoke it all the way to the bottom. But, otherwise, I think this will be a fine smoker moving forward.
I'm also not sure if a mod can change the title of this to something like "My New Brulor Billard" or something, but I pulled the trigger today and smoked out of it. I feel the "disappointed" title is misleading now and sort of bad press.
I thought the fold and stuff advice was well thought out. I also thought using a qtip to clean it after smoking was sound. So, after smoking a few bowls in my regular pipes fold'n'stuff style and having success, I tried the same thing with this pipe.
Overall, I was quite happy with the smoke. Especially given it has not yet broken in. The pipe stayed cool until I got to the bottom. The heel/shank started warming up. Not so hot I couldn't hold it, but given this was the first smoke I gave it a few minutes break to cool. This will get better with time as cake starts to form. There was no moisture left in the pipe when I had finished. The horn stem was more round than I realized, but still clenched well and had a nice soft feel it. Just a little softer than vulcanite I'd say.
My only complaint is, somewhat like I expected, tobacco/ash getting into the large draft hole. I tend to tamp at an angle and toward the draft hole when reaching the bottom of my pipes. When I used a qtip to clean this pipe out, a "plug of ash" made its way in there. Never got a mouthful of ash though, despite me taking the stinger off. So, that's a positive. I think I'll have to find a new way to tamp with this pipe while still being able to smoke it all the way to the bottom. But, otherwise, I think this will be a fine smoker moving forward.
Wouldn't the stinger prevent tobacco from getting very far?
Now that I've read all the replies, I see that you've got it conquered.
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I generally don't like stingers. I have a non-removable one on my prewar kaywoodie drinkless, however, and enjoy its smoke quite a bit. I may try this pipe again with the stinger on to see if that prevents that "plug of ash" from forming as the stinger is quite long. I may end up having to adjust my tamping toward the bottom of the bowl regardless
We'll see, but I definitely think this pipe will be a good smoker.