Breaking and Dedicating
- Thread starter St. David Pipes
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On breaking-in:
I never have treated a new pipe differently. But my norm is to fill only 3/4 anyway. And almost all my pipes are estates, long-since "broken-in."
If I got a new pipe, today, I might try breaking-in the heel first -- I can see how that makes some sense. I've also wondered about pre-coating the heel with pipe mud...but I've never tried it.
On dedicating pipes:
I have no pipe dedicated to a particular blend, but I do (usually) dedicate my pipes to broad genres:
I'm personally skeptical that most pipe smokers have a palate so refined that they need these categories broken down any further than this. For instance, if a guy said he needed different pipes for Englishes and Balkans, or for VAs and VaPers, I'd call BS.
On packing:
If it's ribbon cut, I just stuff it in the hole till it feels right, and light.
If it's a flake, I fold once length-wise, then once the other way, then roll it between my two hands to break up the strands, then while pinching it in my fingers I add back in any strands that fell out, then I rip off the end to get it to the right length (if it's too long), then stuff it upright in the pipe.
I never have treated a new pipe differently. But my norm is to fill only 3/4 anyway. And almost all my pipes are estates, long-since "broken-in."
If I got a new pipe, today, I might try breaking-in the heel first -- I can see how that makes some sense. I've also wondered about pre-coating the heel with pipe mud...but I've never tried it.
On dedicating pipes:
I have no pipe dedicated to a particular blend, but I do (usually) dedicate my pipes to broad genres:
- Virginias and VaPers (VAs and VaPers which are aromatic are OK too -- e.g. OGS or N400)
- Latakia blends (English, Balkan, Crossovers, anything with noticeable latakia)
- Aromatics and Lakelands (I know that even guys who don't dedicate pipes, dedicate a pipe to Lakelands, due to the "Lakeland Ghost." But I love the Lakeland Ghost and I'm happy to have it when smoking another aromatic.)
I'm personally skeptical that most pipe smokers have a palate so refined that they need these categories broken down any further than this. For instance, if a guy said he needed different pipes for Englishes and Balkans, or for VAs and VaPers, I'd call BS.
On packing:
If it's ribbon cut, I just stuff it in the hole till it feels right, and light.
If it's a flake, I fold once length-wise, then once the other way, then roll it between my two hands to break up the strands, then while pinching it in my fingers I add back in any strands that fell out, then I rip off the end to get it to the right length (if it's too long), then stuff it upright in the pipe.
That is an interesting concept I have not considered before. Thanks you! Something to ponder.. um Ruminate on
Get the pipe, stuff the pipe and smoke the pipe. I don't treat a new pipe any different from the rest. I do try to designate certain pipes for my codger blends, others for aromatics and others for blends with Latakia. Don't complicate your smoking experience. There has been more than one person through the ages that had one pipe and smoked it until it was used up and got another.
With all the different 'break in' techniques I can't say I understand the difference between breaking in and just smoking so I just get on with smoking.
I guess I would say I do break in a new pipe, but only by smoking it the same as I smoke anything. No fancy tricks. I quite like that briar taste for the initial bowls.
Welcome from North Carolina.
Your mentor was wise. Load it and light it.
Your mentor was wise. Load it and light it.
He sure was. Been piping since I was 16, but played around at 14
I don’t do anything special for break in, but it does smoke different when new. I consider the break in period as the time I am learning the nuances of the pipe while it accumulates a cake as it gets to know me.
When I was first taught about pipes I did the 1/4 1/2 and then full bowls like 10 times each. Now I just pack it full and start smoking.
At first I would follow a strict break in procedure; however, on my last 10 or so pipes it is load, light and smoke.
I typically dedicate a couple of pipes for aromatic tobacco, but the others are only kind of segregated. Some for straight virginia and some for VaPers. Having that second habit is only a loose guideline because sometimes a VaPer goes into a virgina pipe.
I typically dedicate a couple of pipes for aromatic tobacco, but the others are only kind of segregated. Some for straight virginia and some for VaPers. Having that second habit is only a loose guideline because sometimes a VaPer goes into a virgina pipe.
Good Lord, I need glasses...my eyes saw "Breaking and Defecating." 
It would appear, therefore, I have nothing to offer to this thread.
Unless, of course, that was a typographical error on the OP's part; I will check back later just in case...
It would appear, therefore, I have nothing to offer to this thread.
Unless, of course, that was a typographical error on the OP's part; I will check back later just in case...
If you start Breaking and Defecating, you come see me during my day job. I can help you out!Good Lord, I need glasses...my eyes saw "Breaking and Defecating."
It would appear, therefore, I have nothing to offer to this thread.
Unless, of course, that was a typographical error on the OP's part; I will check back later just in case...
I treat my new pipes the same as my old pipes but do tend to reserve a few pipes for Latakia and one for aromatics. I don't mind ghosting so even that rule is not inviolate. I don't follow any packing protocol but don't pack what I would describe as lightly.
If this was your introduction, welcome!
If this was your introduction, welcome!
I break mine in the same way, by smoking them.
If you smoke all the same types of tobacco, you can do it your way. If you have different type of tobacco, say English and Virginias your pipes will ghost. If you're okay with that happening fine but not me. There are many ways to pack a pipe but regardless of the method you chose be sure to pack them lightly.
If you smoke all the same types of tobacco, you can do it your way. If you have different type of tobacco, say English and Virginias your pipes will ghost. If you're okay with that happening fine but not me. There are many ways to pack a pipe but regardless of the method you chose be sure to pack them lightly.
I don't have the many years of experience as some of the more knowledgeable members and commenters in this thread. But I do start off a new bowl with a few partial fills, and here's why:
I find a bit of cake in the heel to be more absorbent that raw briar. So being able to smoke a full bowl in a new pipe has not worked for me consistently. I find tobacco to be more flavorful when it still has a little bit of moisture. And without some cake in the heel to assist in the absorption of that moisture, I end up with more dottle and less carbon before I get to the bottom, or in more extreme cases, gurgle. Of course this can be mitigated by using a pipe cleaner mid-smoke, and I sometimes do that too, especially with a new pipe.
But also, because I heard Gregory (G.L.) Pease in an interview recommend breaking in a bowl this way. And I kinda hold his opinions, experience and advice in high regard.
So that's what I do.
I find a bit of cake in the heel to be more absorbent that raw briar. So being able to smoke a full bowl in a new pipe has not worked for me consistently. I find tobacco to be more flavorful when it still has a little bit of moisture. And without some cake in the heel to assist in the absorption of that moisture, I end up with more dottle and less carbon before I get to the bottom, or in more extreme cases, gurgle. Of course this can be mitigated by using a pipe cleaner mid-smoke, and I sometimes do that too, especially with a new pipe.
But also, because I heard Gregory (G.L.) Pease in an interview recommend breaking in a bowl this way. And I kinda hold his opinions, experience and advice in high regard.
So that's what I do.