All of My Pipes Are Smoking Better Lately

[Ryan]

I've been noticing that all of my pipes have been working better lately. They burn cooler and require less re-lighting. My tongue isn't being bitten either. The tobacco just tastes better.

It isn't the weather conditions or the climate inside of my home that have changed (although it is starting to cool off in my part of the country). I have finally started to get the hang of it! I have finally started getting a handle on how to pack a bowl and then using better technique to smoke it. Also, I have learned the importance of allowing tobacco to dry for a while before ignition.

I honestly thought a couple of my pipes just didn't smoke well. I really thought I didn't care for a couple of the tobacco blends that I have. Turns out that when you get better at packing and smoking, EVERY type of tobacco tastes better, from Lane 1Q to Quiet Nights. I have started to learn that not every bowl I own can be packed (or even smoked) the exact same way, something I did not really understand before. Lots of little things that added up to me enjoying this hobby even more.

Some of the stuff I learned from reading posts on this website, I also got a lot out of the muttonchop piper videos on Youtube. When I first tried to get into pipes twenty years ago, I really didn't know what I was doing and lost interest. This time I have used the resources of the internet and I am getting so much more enjoyment from pipe smoking. Turns out I like that Fox & Hound blend much more than I thought I did, I just didn't know how to smoke it before!

I am still a novice in terms on pipe smoking, but thanks to many people I will probably never meet in real life I am enjoying it more than ever!

 

[Cappy]

I remember many of my pipes being better smokers than I was. Still trying to catch up with a few of them.

 

[saltedplug]

I've been noticing that all of my pipes have been working better lately. They burn cooler and require less re-lighting. My tongue isn't being bitten either. The tobacco just tastes better.

It isn't the weather conditions or the climate inside of my home that have changed (although it is starting to cool off in my part of the country). I have finally started to get the hang of it! I have finally started getting a handle on how to pack a bowl and then using better technique to smoke it. Also, I have learned the importance of allowing tobacco to dry for a while before ignition.

I honestly thought a couple of my pipes just didn't smoke well. I really thought I didn't care for a couple of the tobacco blends that I have. Turns out that when you get better at packing and smoking, EVERY type of tobacco tastes better, from Lane 1Q to Quiet Nights. I have started to learn that not every bowl I own can be packed (or even smoked) the exact same way, something I did not really understand before. Lots of little things that added up to me enjoying this hobby even more.

Some of the stuff I learned from reading posts on this website, I also got a lot out of the muttonchop piper videos on Youtube. When I first tried to get into pipes twenty years ago, I really didn't know what I was doing and lost interest. This time I have used the resources of the internet and I am getting so much more enjoyment from pipe smoking. Turns out I like that Fox & Hound blend much more than I thought I did, I just didn't know how to smoke it before!

I am still a novice in terms on pipe smoking, but thanks to many people I will probably never meet in real life I am enjoying it more than ever!

Good for you! Welcome to the fold!

 

[mso489]

Pipe smoking takes a learning curve, but luckily getting started is fairly easy.

 

[Briar Lee]

I agree that most of the enjoyment of an pipe, using any blend, comes from long experience learning how to
fill, to sip, to tamp, to relight when needed, and finally when to quit.

You have to get so natural and experienced being a pipe smoker as any other ritualized skill, to where it’s unconscious.

My guitars and my shotguns all work better now than years ago.

 

[kcghost]

It's a shame that pipe smoking has such a difficult learning curve. But if it didn't tobacco would be really hard to find.

 

[lawdawg]

That's a fun juncture in pipe smoking, when everything starts to come together. Now you can just look forward to enjoying your pipes!

 

[anotherbob]

It's a shame that pipe smoking has such a difficult learning curve. But if it didn't tobacco would be really hard to find.

It makes me wonder why we all stuck with it.
Oh and I love these posts, the you guys helped me enjoy my pipes. It is one time the internet works like promised. You know improving peoples lives by allowing for the free flow of information. You know instead of allowing people to indulge in their worst in their worst tendencies in anonymity and tell strangers they should die horribly because of the type of pipes they smoke and favorite pizzas.

 

[Grangerous]

It’s a great forum. —People with vastly different experiences and opinions from all over the world, sharing a common interest.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Great to hear!!

 

[Reggie]

The forum has been a huge resource for me to learn about blends that are not readily available in my area. I really never had a pipe mentor from the start so you guys are it! Thanks!

 

[Streeper541]

The pipes aren't smoking any better... you are. Well done sir. ?

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

This forum is pipe smoking gold! The cumulative knowledge here is off the charts. Makes one wonder how pipe smoking existed, thrived and even evolved without the internet.

 

[Chris81]

This forum is pipe smoking gold! The cumulative knowledge here is off the charts. Makes one wonder how pipe smoking existed, thrived and even evolved without the internet.

It was more common to have pipe smoking friends or family members who could pass some of their knowledge.
Sadly it's more difficult to find pipe smokers today, at least in southern Europe.
Personally, I don't know any. I would have been lost without the internet.

 

[runningbare]

Sometimes just letting the pipe sit for a few minutes and return to it improves the enjoyment.

 

[Mr.Mike]

It makes me wonder why we all stuck with it.
Oh and I love these posts, the you guys helped me enjoy my pipes. It is one time the internet works like promised. You know improving peoples lives by allowing for the free flow of information. You know instead of allowing people to indulge in their worst in their worst tendencies in anonymity and tell strangers they should die horribly because of the type of pipes they smoke and favorite pizzas.

You should def take the bridge if you like different pizza then me.

 

[anotherbob]

You should def take the bridge if you like different pizza then me.

not sure what taking the bridge means. But the bigger question is what kind of bridge? Covered bridges are cool but those swinging rope bridges across chasms give me heart flutters.

 

[HitchensDog]

I know exactly what you mean. I've been smoking pipes for many years, but my enjoyment increased immensely with the knowledge imparted here. Also, regarding the anonymous hate and anger prevalent on many sites these days, this forum is like a breath of fresh air.

 

[Michigan_Bill]

Hey Hoosier a very handsome avatar you have there!

 

[wyfbane]

Your persistence has been rewarded with proficiency. Nice!

Now you can apply to become a member of the crew of the Black Frigate, if you so desire.