Differences Between Pipes. Eye Opener!

[dottiewarden]

I also do firmly believe that the bowl shape and size can impact how the blend tastes, At least that has been my experience.

It was actually peck that got me into playing around with matching pipe shapes and sizes with different blends and I clearly find chamber shape affects burn and different blends have specific burn qualities, thus finding a good match can enhance the performance of both tobacco and pipe. Despite the numerous other factors involved the overall enjoyment of each smoke, I'm an ardent believer that certain pipe/blend matches improve the quality of the smoke, particularly with subtler blends. For example I always prefer a nice, golden, ribbon cut Virginia in a relatively deep narrow chamber or a rich brown Burley flake in a medium sized, slightly conical chamber. On the other hand I can smoke a Lat forward blend or an Oriental in pretty well anything and the same in-your-face flavour comes through.

 

[bassbug]

This discussion of chambers and how they affect smoking has always fascinated me. I've never been able to discern a difference.
THE FOLLOWING IS MEANT AS A SINCERE QUESTION...NOT TROLLING IN ANY WAY. I AM USING DOTTIEWARDEN AS AN EXAMPLE ONLY. WE'VE SHARED A BOWL OR TWO AT MY PLACE BEFORE, HE'S A GREAT GUY

I always prefer a nice, golden, ribbon cut Virginia in a relatively deep narrow chamber or a rich brown Burley flake in a medium sized, slightly conical chamber.

What about a ribbon cut burley or a flake virginia? Where do they go?
My point here is that maybe its the cut, not the tobacco that makes a difference, and what's more, maybe its just that you have to fold a flake more tightly in a narrow chamber that makes it burn differently as an example.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I am most amazed that there are people who cannot discern a difference between pipes chambers.

I mean, it is something that we have discussed ad naseum on the forums, discussed in the PM Radio Show, it is a favorite at pipe club meetings... it's not like it is something someone just invented. This conversation goes back to before I ever got here, maybe even before I was born. Books have been written...
I just am stummeled by someone who cannot taste a difference between a tall 3/4" narrow tapered cone shaped chamber and a wide 1" wide pot shaped chamber. NOT the OUTSIDE SHAPE or SIZE, but the actual hole that holds the tobacco. To me it is like saying that all tobacco tastes the same. OIr, there are no colors.
The briar also has an aroma that adds to the difference, and I notice that the briar on a thin walled pipe is louder that the briar on a thick walled pipe.
Of course not all narrow chambered pipes taste the same, but there are some generalities that can be assumed.
I fall short of saying that all Virginias do best in,,, blah blah blah shapes, and latakias in blah blah blah. Of course that is getting too assumptive. But, to me there is an obvious difference.
In a tall narrow cone shaped pipe, half way down, I can taste that less tobacco is burning at the time, and less tobacco is being heated to release flavors from the oils of the leaf, so I focus in more on just the burning leaf flavors. And, in a wider bowl, I get more volume, and more heated oils from surrounding tobaccos. In a wide pipe with Virginias, I get a deeper flavor, but the small nuances of sugar tastes get drowned out by the bigger picture, whereas in a tall narrow pipe, I can taste the subtle differences in fruity flavors and sugars in the same Virginia, without any of that big bass note flavor.
Like drinking a wine from a tall narrow flute shaped glass and a brandy snifter; the shape affects the aroma, thus the flavor.
Sure, the cut of the tobacco, the pack, the briar, and cadence all also affect flavors, but to agree that they affect the flavors, yet the pipe doesn't is ludicrous.
But, as in official debates it is against the rules to use a personal example, because one cannot argue with someone's personal experience that cannot be verified by any means, so I think it is best to just acknowledge that some people cannot taste the differences in pipes and move on with the discussion as if they do not exist. What the hell else do you do with them? It's like debating with someone who says that all tobaccos taste the same, because they cannot taste any difference. Or, colors do not exist, because I don't see any, whilst the rest of us sees the beauty of the rainbow. It does kinda make me sad though. I wish everyone could see colors. ::

 

[bassbug]

THE FOLLOWING IS MEANT AS A SINCERE QUESTION...NOT TROLLING IN ANY WAY. I AM USING DOTTIEWARDEN AS AN EXAMPLE ONLY. WE'VE SHARED A BOWL OR TWO AT MY PLACE BEFORE, HE'S A GREAT GUY []

Please feel free to move on as if I don't exist.
I'm outta this "discussion"

 

[haparnold]

Cosmic, I think what you're talking about explains why so many people don't stick with pipe smoking. There's such a huge learning curve of technique to get to where a smoker can 'taste colors', that most people aren't willing to go through the apprenticeship of mediocre smokes until they reach their first 'aha moment'. Until that point, all our fussiness about drying times, packing methods, ghosting, chamber shape, etc. sounds trivial.
Speaking from personal experience, I was probably smoking for 6 months before I could taste the difference between a vanilla cavendish and a Virginia flake (as I'm now embarrassed to admit). But in the end, the variety of flavors I get from different pipes and tobaccos made the long apprenticeship I served well worth it.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Duane (chasingembers) and Salted are definitely experienced pipe smokers. If it were just a few newbies saying they couldn't taste a difference, it would be easier to write it off as inexperience. Saltedplug and I have had this discussion before, and I am no closer to understanding it. But, as in an official debate, personal experience would be noted, and then set aside for real discussion. If we were talking about baptism, we wouldn't let an atheist come in and kill the whole discussion. We would acknowledge the heathen and continue politely with our discussion. ::
Anyone else can feel free to chime in with their lack of taste, and we can add them to the roster, but continue as if they weren't there. Fair?

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Using these simple vectors, you can see how both pipes might start off tasting the same, but then by mid bowl in each pipe, there is a whole different dynamic taking place inside the pipe. The narrow chamber has a wider percentage of cherry to un-burned tobacco. Burning leaf tastes different from heated leaf, where as it is the heated leaf that gives off more essential oils and flavors. Like it a cigar, it is the are just behind the cherry and the wrapper that gives off the majority of flavors.

I do not make over-generalizations in my pipe, like all Virginias taste better in narrow cones, because I have come to find that there are some Virginias of the earthy variety that I just absolutely love in a wide pipe. It is merely different. And, it is tasting the direct burning leaf more that gives me the focus to taste differences between some Virginias.
And, in a wide pot, I am getting much more of the un-burned leaf flavors.

But, of course there are a lot more different bowl shapes and dynamics than just these two shapes. But, I merely use these two to show the most dramatic differences. I do love more complex tobaccos, burleys, and blends in a pot-shaped pipe. Not to be dogmatic, sometimes I do enjoy them in other shapes. But, in a pot, you get a much larger percentage of the un-burned flavors.
Of course if you are a huffer and puffer, trying to keep the cherry going all across the top of the pipe, you probably aren't getting the subtle nuances of the heated leaf very much anyways. But, I have found that even when smoking faster to try to keep the cherry going all the way across, that just below the cherry is still a ring of un-burned tobacco, maybe not as much though. But, I notice this as I tamp, to push down the side walls of un-burned. So there is still a cherry and un-burned tobacco surrounding, but maybe not as much, as when I smoke very slow and taste much more of the tobacco.
But, never fear, non-tasters, pipe shape athiests, it's all OK. You do not have to taste what I and the rest of the pipe-smoking community tastes. If you enjoy your pipes, then carry on. ::

 

[Chasing Embers]

I think I've been smoking too long and can quickly become accustomed to a new pipe's quirks and adjust my cadence to match by instinct.

 

[crashthegrey]

If only we could taste what others taste, and then we would know the answers.

 

[warren]

It's important to remember that not all pipe smokers are seeking the same goal. I'm really not that interested in dissecting a blend, the shape of the bowl, tasting every possible nuance, etc. For my sitting, relaxing, evening read time, I simply want a pipe I can enjoy while ignoring it. A pleasant taste and a bit of nicotine is all I ask. The same with the accompanying bit of port. Well, excepting the nicotine of course.
Work pipes should deliver sufficient nicotine, without getting in the way, so that I can leave the cigarettes in the pocket.
Now, for this forum I believe I am in the minority in that all I seek is a satisfying experience. Those of you exploring blends, the effects of bowl shapes, sipping, and all of the other minutia from a pipe, I admire your quest. I simply don't share the depth of interest. I do find the quests and results fascinating though and enjoy reading the different posts.
Cosmic's war with nature in cultivating tobacco holds my attention. His knowledge and the knowledge base of other members is enlightening. But, I'm only a spectator, possibly an envious one.

 

[bluto]

So if I’m reading this correctly , some pipers like to smoke for a mild taste and a pastime , yet other pipers see pipe smoking as an challenge and can never really reach the pinnacle .
To add more confusion , here is my analog , why go buy a Porsche 911 turbo , because you need to pick up your groceries
Or alternatively , get yourself a pickup truck because you like the thrill of high performance driving ..

 

[warren]

The 911 is to insure getting home before the iced cream melts.

 

[mso489]

I don't usually get the good-bad shift between pipes, but I certainly get some difference in how a particular blend smokes in different pipes. Some blends that are pretty good in most pipes just shine in particular ones. Codger blends in cobs in general are often cited, correctly I find. I just was given a first Meerschaum, for me, and find it has unusual clarity and delineation with more complex blends, give you a little more resonance between the various tobaccos. Then there are some situations with stronger blends when I might prefer the merging of flavors that some briars (usually extra large) can give. My dad always proclaimed that there was no difference between wines, and he did like a glass of wine; after a few discussions about it, I just understood that he was happy with his wine, fine or otherwise, and let him be. So same with people who find most pipes about the same. If they're good, that's good.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Yeh, I don't think it is about telling someone how they should taste or that they should taste a difference in pipe shapes or sizes. It's just an interesting observation. I have not said that one pipe was any better than another, just that there is a difference... to me. It's just one of those things that some pipe nerds might find interesting. Like stem materials, button design, bent verses straights, it's just another thing... ::

 

[mso489]

I've always tried to avoid getting attuned to better and worse buttons. Once you focus on it, you may never be happy again, or so I fear.

 

[Chasing Embers]

The only flavor difference I experience is when I change cadence between fast and slow smoking.