Another new pipe smoker - first experience

[rickweaver]

Hello Guys,
I'm Rick from Ireland. As of yesterday I have joined the pipe smokers family and I feel that this is going to be a lifelong friendship.

First of all I have to say that I found nearly all information I needed on this forum so I have joined to thank you all for your contribution to my start
I have purchased A James Fox Tally Ho bent pipe as it was recommended for beginners. The pipe itself was in a gift set together with the toolset, pipe cleaners and match. Also i added a Fox Hibernia Mixture to complete the starter pack. This tobacco is a ribbon cut Burley, Virginia & Perique blend, some vanilla flavoured stuff, it's really good for my taste (as beginner).
I decided I will take it slowly, so i spent the first hour or so just simple practicing the packing. I tried the 3 step method and the Frank method. For the start I'll stick with the 3 step method, it seems to be easier for me.
After I was confident enough and the tobacco was spongy enough i have decided to light it... Guys, what a feeling it was, like i was in a different world. I had to relight 5-6 times and i took it really slowly, I spent maybe an hour to completely finish it as I did not want to get the bowl too hot, also I used about 3-4 more matches more, when I realized that i have completely burned down to the bottom of the bowl.
I found the whole process really satisfying.
Once again thank you guys for all the info you share on this forum, keep up the good work

 

[jpmcwjr]

A cordial welcome, Rick!
I left Dublin a week ago with two Peterson's dark blasts! They were having a 20% off sale, may still be on. Where are you located?
Sounds like you're off to a fine start.

 

[rickweaver]

Hi jpmcwjr,
I just moved down to Gorey from Dublin couple of months ago.
I am planning to pay a visit to Peterson in the near future, mainly to have a look around for different tobaccos and to see (smell) the different blends, etc. Also i will look around for pipes too, i have some idea already what pipes i would like. Nothing fancy, definitely briar pipes, i am not sure what material my current one is made of.
Apart from a few tongue bites i felt really good and hoping to get better at it.

 

[frozenchurchwarden]

I think the Frank method is important just because it teaches you a few tricks with your fingers, and it does have a bit of an emphasis on an even pack, but the "packing method" as a set of rules doesn't seem so important.

Lately I've been trying to work on single step methods. Last week I started with everything in the palm of my hand and shuffled it all in with the pipe sideways, ending with my hand on top pressing down.

One time I rolled everything into a ball (actually Dunhill once had a patent for pre-packed tobacco. Thank goodness that never took off), and often I'll just stick my pipe in a bag and randomly shove it in until the pipe is full.

But back to the frank method, through all of this I feel like the principle of using three or four fingers to sort of "funnel" tobacco into the pipe is important (especially when you're being creative). I have had some uneven loads, but the worst that happens there is you push some stuff around or poke a few holes in the tobacco with a nail.

 

[prairiedruid]

Welcome to the forum Rick; sounds like you're off to a great start.

 

[sjfine]

Welcome to the wonderful world of pipes. I would not have been able to keep it going if it wasn't for the people here and the wealth of information on the net.
Over the past four years or so, I have strayed from much of the initial "how to smoke a pipe" advice that I found when I started. The three-step method was a disaster for me. Rolling my pipe in my palm was also ridiculous. I found my own method to pack and, after a while, settled into flakes over ribbon (most of the time).
Also, this article was a game-changer for me.
Remember, everything about pipe-smoking is done slowly (except for jumping on the Penzance alerts, apparently).

 

[hextor]

welcome and happy smoking my friend!!

 

[hawke]

Wow rickweaver,

You seem to have a unique patience. Just right for the pipe smoking hobby. Welcome!!

 

[rickweaver]

Hi Guys,
Thank you for all for your warm welcome. I was sidetracked from smoking (and the forum). Today finally i have time to sit down, start the fire in the fireplace and smoke. :D
Just today I have got a new pipe from Malta, "Comino" is engraved into the shank, so I am starting to break it in. I have tried to find more about this pipe, the only information I found is the company who is making these pipes but unfortunately there is no website available for them. If anyone knows about it, please share the info with me please. For example what wood it is made of, etc.
@hawke

Let's just say patience is not my strongest point but I have enough not to rush when sitting down for smoking

 

[mcitinner1]

@sjfine Thank you for the link to the story about lighting a pipe, and how it can completely change the experience.

 

[hawke]

They have an email address maybe.

Comino at pipedia

 

[jkrug]

Welcome to the forum Rick. Sounds like you're off to a good start. ::

 

[bentbob]

Welocme Rick. New to this forum myself although I've been smoking pipes since the early 80's. My mother's family are from Ballacarney about 10 miles down the road from Gorey and, although I haven't been for a few years, keep promising to visit. There are a few of us on here from the UK and Eire with some members of the UK Pipe & Tobacco Club too. You will find some great debates, plenty of helpful advice, facts and figures for collectors and tobacco connoisseurs, some fantastic humour and fellowship second to none. What more could one ask for?

 

[sjfine]

@mcitinner1, you are welcome. I repost it every time it seems appropriate. I'm glad to know that it has helped more than me.

 

[bentbob]

@Sjfine. Excellent article. Fred Hanna talks about the very same thing with his "air pocket" method of packing and lighting - don't over-light (or over heat as your research is much more scientific in approach) and Fred recommends only lighting the centre of the tobacco. His theory being that this produces more flavour due to lower temperature and that the combustion of the tobacco will spread outwards anyway, so that the whole chamber's worth of tobacco is eventually smoked.
My first eureka moment in pipe smoking was learning to breath smoke. I'm now going to give the matches a thorough trial (I only ever use a butane lighter) and experiment with lighting the centre only.
Thanks again!