Confession is Good for the Soul (So They Say)

[OverMountain]

if it feels good do it.

 

[sablebrush52]

The "aha" stuff happened so long ago that it's lost in the mists of time. What I do now is so natural, automatic, and effortless that I don't even think about it. What preceded that was a lot of experimentation to take having a good smoke to the level of having a great smoke.

The most important realization for me was the importance of figuring out the proper moisture level for the blends I like to smoke, so that I would derive the strongest, clearest, flavors from them.

Experimentation still goes on as a natural part of the process.

 

[J-Evverrett]

I was shown a very basic method of pipe packing and lighting that works well. I measured my success by not having to relight it 10 times a smoke. A big ahah moment for me was when I got my first Czech tool, and figured out how to use it. I’ve definitely picked up a few things on these forums, and YouTube since I got the internet too.

 

[timt]

Never really put much thought into it. I just packed the pipe and smoked it.

You thought about it enough to make a youtube video about it. A fine video I might add.

 

[hawky454]

I guess I got lucky, I never had an issue with packing a pipe. Within a day or two, I was properly packing a pipe.

 

[Chasing Embers]

You thought about it enough to make a youtube video about it. A fine video I might add.

That was a request from a member for a visual aid. Same as the breath smoking video.?

 

[OSOBUCO]

Like you, I am new. Tongue bite plagued me for months. I was concerned about lightings and packing. There were times where I just stopped for a week. Then, it happened that I could enjoy a bowl, taste the Latakia, and focus on other things.

I blame or give credit to the good internet friends and members here for any success I may now enjoy.

I'm still working on it. I love Latakia but the bite on any blend except straight up black cav hits me especially on relights. If I can keep one going there is no bite but that is rare for me

 

[OSOBUCO]

I guess I got lucky, I never had an issue with packing a pipe. Within a day or two, I was properly packing a pipe.

you are one of those wizards I hear about!!!!!

 

[Simmerdown☕️]

Been smoking for going on 8 yrs. I probably would say that I got really good at ps king my pipes about 3 yrs ago…but still F it up sometimes. ?️

 

[reloader]

I think my moment was when I realized I didn't need to have everything perfect each time I packed and lit my pipe. I don't mind having to tamp more often or relight a time or two now if necessary. I originally wanted to light and smoke all the way down to the bottom with no relights and nothing but white ash left. I can usually get close to that now, but if I don't I don't care as long as I enjoy smoking that bowl.

 

[monty55]

Not too long after I quit smoking Aro's and started down the English and Va/Per road. Since they come in a variety of different cuts and forms it became necessary to learn how to cut, prep, and pack the various blends. I pack a bowl of loose ribbon cut completely different than I do a flake or a coin... etc. After a while it just kinda all fell into place, and I became one with my pipe and blends.

 

[pantsBoots]

Title edited. Rule 9. -jpm

For all you experienced pipe smokers out there: How long did it take before you declared to yourself that you now consistently packed your pipe well? The second part -and one of note-to that question is: How did you measure your success? And now, last but not least: Was there a particular “Ah hah” moment for you causing the “light bulb” to turn on? If so please share it for us newbies. This is not asking for a repeat of what can be found on the forums in terms of technique but wanting your personal experience as you were starting out. Thanks!

My ah-hah moment came when I read something somewhere that said you pack a pipe like you're building a campfire upside down. A light went off, I kept that in mind as I packed a pipe, and the rest is history (almost 2 years of history, in fact). I've had to refine my technique based on tobacco cut, moisture level, and environmental factors (chiefly, ambient humidity), but it's the same philosophy driving it.

 

[newbroom]

After 8 yrs, I still have times when my Czech tool is used to open the draft due to either blockage that has developed at the bottom opening, or just the density of my pack. An easy draw is what you want.
Cadence for a smoker who has been used to inhaling can be problematic, as 'we' have been used to sudden impact. The only Ah Ha! moment I recall was my first coin of Escudo. I treated it like it was fine wine and sipped it to completion successfully. (Folded and stuffed)

 

[Ettrick puffer]

Since day one I guess I’ve been lucky. I’ve smoked ready rubbed, coins, ropes, plugs and cube cut successfully without any dramas or tongue bite. As with everything in life there’s a lot of kiddology and holier than thou attitude. I’m crabbit cause Wales ??????? are getting cuffed at ? ?? I hope Scotland ??????? perform today against England ???????
Happy smokes
Ettrick puffer

 

[hawky454]

you are one of those wizards I hear about!!!!!

I guess, or maybe packing a pipe isn’t as hard as it’s made out to be.

 

[OSOBUCO]

Not too long after I quit smoking Aro's and started down the English and Va/Per road. Since they come in a variety of different cuts and forms it became necessary to learn how to cut, prep, and pack the various blends. I pack a bowl of loose ribbon cut completely different than I do a flake or a coin... etc. After a while it just kinda all fell into place, and I became one with my pipe and blends.

Hey Monty - would I have better luck if I avoid aros for a while? I can get through a bowl of black cavendish without bite and relight but I fear I am chugging and it will create bad habits so I haven't done that in like a month or more. I want to maintain good habits as I think I am really sensitive to bite at least at my stage. Last night I smoked Lane HGL and it started wonderful (love the latakia in it) and half way thru the bowl i needed to relight several times and that is when the bite hit even though I was ginger with the flame. I just dumped the rest. It wasn't soggy or anything. - I will not give up though

 

[OSOBUCO]

I guess, or maybe packing a pipe isn’t as hard as it’s made out to be.

Hmmm......I was hoping guys like you were wizards. I guess it's me then

 

[monty55]

Hey Monty - would I have better luck if I avoid aros for a while? I can get through a bowl of black cavendish without bite and relight but I fear I am chugging and it will create bad habits so I haven't done that in like a month or more. I want to maintain good habits as I think I am really sensitive to bite at least at my stage. Last night I smoked Lane HGL and it started wonderful (love the latakia in it) and half way thru the bowl i needed to relight several times and that is when the bite hit even though I was ginger with the flame. I just dumped the rest. It wasn't soggy or anything. - I will not give up though

Well, I wouldn't want to bash Aro lovers, after all I think I read over 70% of pipe smokers smoke Aro's. I truly do believe in "smoke what you like". However, if you haven't yet tried English or Va/Per blends, then I would suggest laying off the Aro's and give them a try. Personally, I would suggest you not try straight Virginias or Burley blends until you have smoked several medium English and Va/Per offerings. But others might disagree, and that's fine. You may in fact love the straight Viginia's and or Burley better than anything. I don't myself, but that's just me. If there's one thing to pick up on this great pipe forum, it's that this is a very individual and personal hobby, we all have different tastes in pipes and tobacco. But whatever you do, don't give up. Experiment and try everything you can get your hands on. One day you will find the magic, I assure you.

And for goodness sakes don't worry or fret about having to relight! It's not that big of a deal!

 

[burleybreath]

Been smoking pipes for half a century, and I still tend to overpack. Slow learner, probably with a mental defect. If I concentrate and grit my teeth, I can sometimes pack a bowl properly--but it's...sob!...hard!

 

[OSOBUCO]

Well, I wouldn't want to bash Aro lovers, after all I think I read over 70% of pipe smokers smoke Aro's. I truly do believe in "smoke what you like". However, if you haven't yet tried English or Va/Per blends, then I would suggest laying off the Aro's and give them a try. Personally, I would suggest you not try straight Virginias or Burley blends until you have smoked several medium English and Va/Per offerings. But others might disagree, and that's fine. You may in fact love the straight Viginia's and or Burley better than anything. I don't myself, but that's just me. If there's one thing to pick up on this great pipe forum, it's that this is a very individual and personal hobby, we all have different tastes in pipes and tobacco. But whatever you do, don't give up. Experiment and try everything you can get your hands on. One day you will find the magic, I assure you.

And for goodness sakes don't worry or fret about having to relight! It's not that big of a deal!

Thanks Brother - appreciate you man. One thing I notice is if I'm gonna get bite it's when I relight. Once when half my bowl was gone I just repacked more fresh on top and lit that with no bite. But that's bush league. Any advice on relighting other than not torching it? Fluff what remains and repack? I haven't done that yet. thanks again brother.