Good Day All;
I believe the term “ flake pipe” is a misnomer. It really depends on how you prepare the flake tobacco of choice. Fully rubbed out, it is no different than any other already rubbed out blend, that comes already prepared.
Flake tobaccos will offer a variety of differences, depending on how prepared. Rubbed out fully, partially rubbed out, chopped into cubes, folded, or sort of folded / stuffed.
IMHO …. And ONLY IMHO, smaller bowled pipes are better suited ( for me personally ) for flakes, plugs, or ropes, if the tobacco is left in larger pieces. This holds true for Virginia’s as well as English ( Latakia ) flakes.
As far as Castello’s, and I am jaded in my opinion, as for me Castello’s smoke very well. I have found that there is something from the briar used by Castello, I assume due to age, that the tobaccos smoke with a “brighter or more vibrant” flavor profile. For me, this makes most Latakia blends over the top in a Castello. It does not matter the chamber size on this. Small bowl, deep bowl, or wide bowl. Latakia in a Castello, for me, does not work well. For others, they sing the praises of full rich Latakia blends in their Castello’s.
There is IMHO, no one rule that covers everything pipe, as we are all different. We enjoy different flavors. We enjoy different comfort zones with weight, stem thickness, draw openness etc.
The pipe you’ve shown us is truly a beauty. I suggest you begin with a tobacco you know well and then go from there, with other similar blends, and maybe then to some others you do not know well, until you find that blend type that works best in the pipe.
If, like me, you tend to stick to a specific style / type of tobacco and it works well in most of your pipes, but not all, you need to do a collection assessment. Split your pipes into groups. Ones that smoke well, to begin. Then break the group down into which pipes smoke best with specific tobacco types. From there look at the groups and see if you can find some common thread that runs through each group. Chamber sizes, length, weight, draw openness and any other variant that strikes you. Once you hone it down, you can then aim your purchases towards pipes that fit into specific groups, or at minimum reduce the chances of purchasing a pipe that does not work well for you.
Alost all my pipes have chambers between .75” - .80” across. Smaller than this lean towards smoking hot for me. Beyond .80”, I find they smoke airy with little flavor. BUT that is just me. Finding your personal “ sweet spot” takes time and patience.
Regards
Michael J. Glukler
