As long as its not a toddler leaving the wet mess....
Best Pipe Filters
- Thread starter Nicholas Matthew
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I only use filtered pipes. My reason is that it cuts back on the nicotine. I'm very sensitive to nicotine, but love pipe tobacco. So I use filtered pipes exclusively now. For a while I used both filtered and non filtered pipes and there was a huge difference in the nicotine content between the two. So I made the switch to just using filtered pipes. I use the Vauen 9mm carbon filters. I also use the Grabow filters in my Cobs, a Medico, and a couple of Grabow pipes. And yes, the Grabow filters help with the nicotine on those too. Although, my pipes that use the 9mm filters do a better job.
Thank you so much! I'm completely fine with cutting back on nicotine as it doesn't affect me... (unfortunately I have a high tolerance to alcohol, drugs, narcotics, etc...) so I find myself drawn to things for legitimate enjoyment beyond a "need."
I'm thinking I may just stick with filters, especially if you see a big difference in nicotine between the two.
I'm mostly looking for the flavor and relaxation/enjoyment out of the experience. Not a particular buzz or anything beyond that.
I started smoking only with 9mm filters about a year ago. Changed my pipe smoking. I had smoked without filters for about 5 years and always had tongue bite. Every single bowl. No matter how cool or slow I smoked it hurt. 9mm charcoal filters have 100% eliminated. To fix the right draw I just pack more loosely. Vauen Dr Perl charcoal filters are economical and work great. The Peterson filters are also good but more expensive. 6mm charcoal filters exist for Grabows and Medicos but don’t waste your time. The draw is just way way too tight. No amount of packing will make it smokeable IMO. Yes I lose some flavor but I’ve done back to back tests and I don’t notice that much of a loss. YMMV and of course this is one man’d opinion ?
Ever since I was young I also had a strong tolerance to most things [alcohol being the exception - that took some dedication to get right
] At 14yo a mate and I often visited city tobacconists to buy exotic cigarettes like Gauloise, Temple Bar, Gudung Garam [clove cigarettes] Russian Sobranie for e.g., the stronger the better.
Before switching to a pipe over 10 years ago, I was a 30-40 cigarette smoker for 35 years.
Quit attempts were torture which is why I eventually switched to a pipe.
Once I had adjusted to the pipe and found on-line tobacconists and tobaccoreviews, I made a point of choosing blends with mild nicotine.
Now I'm rather sensitive to Lady N. [ Which I see as a positive. Now I smoke for pleasure rather than addiction]
Most of my blends are mild enough not to need a filter but for those that do I use and recommend the 9mm Vauen Dr Perl charcoal filters.
Being a new smoker, I would recommend that you experiment all around, including trying things without filters. If you like a filter, then great, by all means, use them. However, if you don't care for them, or (as in my case) don't find much of a benefit to them, it's one less thing you have to deal with.
+1 on these, absolutely love them and use them 99% of the time.
I'm a big fan of those White Elephant Meerschaum 9mm filters - I suggest you try them.
I smoke 9mm filter pipes about 80% of the time. Just smoke whatever you find most enjoyable. If that's 9mm then cool.
I've tried all the 9mm charcoal filters available. From cheap generics to the more expensive brands. The 2 I use are Stanwell and Big Ben.
I having been smoking pipe for about 10 months or so and most of the time with 6mm balsa wood inserts/filters. I have tried without them, but the tongue bite happened almost every time when I didn't have the insert in. Perhaps due to my poor skill when I just joined this hobby.
I second @olkofri‘s comment on balsa wood insert, they indeed reduce moisture in the smoke and make it more pleasant. I do not notice any significant reduction in flavour, so they work great for me.
I second @olkofri‘s comment on balsa wood insert, they indeed reduce moisture in the smoke and make it more pleasant. I do not notice any significant reduction in flavour, so they work great for me.
I'm late to the game, but I'm a fan of Brigham filters, but you need a Brigham pipe, which is a great requirement, they're my pipes. If you aren't interested in Brigham I've heard really good things about the savinelli balsa woods filters, I have some coming in the mail right now to try in my cobs etc, I think around 3 bowls a filter is manageable. I'll be honest ive never had a 9mm pipe so I've never tried the 9mm filters. My Brighams smoke awesome.
Wow, grammar..., they're my favourite pipes*
Great requirement as in they're a great pipe to own.
Also I should add that the Brigham filters are rated for up to 40 bowls smoked per filter, now I doubt anyone used it for even close to that many, but 10 is very reasonable, plus you can soak them in warm water and run a little brush through or whatever to clean them up a little if you want.
Yeah, these filters definitely last much longer than the others. I'll use em a handful or more times and then soak em and brush em and keep using em. I get a dozen and half or more smokes out of each one. I just wish I liked the pipes better.
Being a new pipe smoker, I am quite sensitive to Nicotine as well. I smoked a pipe for the first time in 8 years, and either I inhaled accidentally or some other component was involved?! I had shortness of breath, bad taste on tongue/breath and queasiness for 6+ hours after smoking. I’m very wary to smoke again, since I’m not sure what I did wrong?!
Have you used the meerchaum (white elephant) pipe filters before? Do these filters reduce nicotine or tar content? How many smokes can you have before you change the filter?
Do these filters reduce nicotine or tar content? How many smokes can you have before you change the filter? (I have Savinelli and Peterson p-lip pipes)+1 on these, absolutely love them and use them 99% of the time.
I'm a big fan of those White Elephant Meerschaum 9mm filters - I suggest you try them.
Can't say about the nicotine, as I hardly ever get nicotine from pipes, filtered or otherwise, but they do trap the tar and the moisture: I've seen that. Of course, how much tar exactly, I can't tell you, as I've no means of measuring it. I'm not that concerned about health effects of tar either.
I normally change the filter after every smoke. The balsa filters are sometimes not dark or moist enough to warrant this, but because I always smoke something different each time, I don't want to risk the filter imparting the flavours of the previous smoke to the new one.
With 9mm filters, they're s'posed to be changed after every bowl.
I don't rate paper or Balsa filters. For a dry smoke without the need to remove moisture mid bowl, I use Stanwell 9mm carbon filters. For Cobs and other 6mm pipes I use Savinelli carbon filters as they never clog up in my experience and they give a dry smoke.
For 9mm, lately I've been using White Elephant Meerschaum filters. They work wonderfully.
What is the difference between the White Elephant Meerschaum and White Elephant “Supermix” (Meerschaum and Activated charcoal)?
I think you just answered your own question: the former has only bits of sepiolite inside, nothing else.