A slow learner

[pappymac]

@navypipe23 On this forum you will get as many different answers as there are people responding. I don't know where the notion that smoking a half bowl is bad for your pipe came from. If you search "breaking in a new pipe" many people will tell you to start off with just a half bowl to start building cake in the bottom. If you need to only smoke a half bowl to break in your pipe, then you can smoke a half bowl anytime you like.
I deduce from your user name that you may be in the junior sea service.and may need more guidance than others. Have you tried any of the Navy Flakes that are available yet?

 

[Chasing Embers]

Have you tried any of the Navy Flakes that are available yet?

Or Black Frigate? :mrgreen:

 

[jerwynn]

All of which begs the question:
Is the bowl half empty, or half full??!!
(I know my cranial bowl has been half-baked for a good long while now! What was the topic again?!)

 

[pappymac]

(I know my cranial bowl has been half-baked for a good long while now! What was the topic again?!)
Is that half baked or half raw?

 

[navypipe23]

I was in the U.S. Navy for 6 years as a Machinist Mate. I have not tried any of the Navy Flakes as of yet nor have I tried the highly recommended Black Frigate. My wish list keeps growing!!

 

[lucky695]

I was in the U.S. Navy for 6 years as a Machinist Mate.

Hmmm Navy 6 years.. MM. Nuke? I was an ET(nuke), also 6 years. Been out for 20 years though... Thanks for your service!

 

[navypipe23]

I went in as a Nuke...missed graduating by a tenth of a point and got sent out as a regular surface machinist mate working in the boiler room, oil laboratory, and the steam catapults. Thanks also for your service.

 

[fitzy]

I'm with Cosmic on this one. Delayed gratification is the best on half smoked pipes. Lots of people will pack a bowl and get it lit then leave it on purpose to come back to later as it tends to really improve.

 

[pappymac]

@navypipe23 - The Coast Guard combined machinist mate, boilermate and engineman into a single rate of Machinery Technician in 1972 - the year I enlisted. My first 2 years were spent in the engineroom of an icebreaker which was commissioned in the 1940s. I also did a year at a Long Range Aids to Navigation station making sure the emergency generator would start once a month and keeping the lawnmower running. The Coast Guard learned I could read and write without pictures and I switched to photojournalist in 1975. Took me 15 years after that to make Senior Chief.
I pick on Navy guys but not as much as the ground pounders and flyboys. So, thank you for serving.

 

[navypipe23]

@pappymac I know when I went in around 2002 they had just merged Boiler Techs and Machinist Mates. I believe since then they have merged some even more. Congrats on making it to Senior Chief. I'm used to all the services picking on each other. It's especially great come Army Navy Game time since my father is retired Army.
The dilemma now is trying to decide whether to focus on buying a few more pipes to add to the collection of 2 or to buy some of the tobacco on my list. I'll have to decide and then discuss things with the banker

 

[pappymac]

If there are any antique/collectible/junk shops and malls around you, go visit them. You can occasionally pick up a good pipe for extra cheap and then either clean and polish yourself or send it to a shop that can do it for you. The cost is considerable less than buying a brand new pipe. I have close to 20 "rescued" pipes in my collection and in most cases I paid under $15 for them. The ones I have sent out has cost about $40 to clean and polish.
I paid $3 for a Savinelli Guibileo d'Oro pipe from the 70s that originally sold in the $400 - $600 range I've been told.
Just do some research into the markings on the pipes so you can get an idea of what you're looking at.