Does the PIPE Make the Difference?

[Hobbs]

I am fairly new to pipe smoking and like many, I am acquiring different styles of pipes to determine what I like.
But have a question regarding styles. I have a couple MM Cobs, an inexpensive Pear, and a Churchwarden. My go-to has been my Cobs but it has raised a question regarding consistency. If I use the same tobacco and pack it the same way, my Cob will need MAYBE 1-2 relights whereas my other pipes will need a lot more.
Is the design of the pipe indicative to the consistency of the smoke or is it the tobacco? Could a different type of tobacco burn better in the Pear and worse in the Cob?

 

[Chasing Embers]

The wide open airway is what you're experiencing with the cob.

 

[Casual]

Also the cobs absorb moisture more than wood, leading to less soggy tobacco.

 

[blackpowderpiper]

I think you will find over time that it is a combination of many factors. Certainly the pipe will play a role but the tobacco and how it is cut, moisture level, how it is packed, your smoking cadence, environmental conditions etc, all play a part. I don't even think about relights. If my pipe goes out, I simply relight and keep going. I don't get caught up in all the minutiae of pipe smoking. Some tobaccos seem to smoke better for me in certain pipes and sometimes there is really no good explanation for why. I just go with it and enjoy. Keep at it, much will be revealed as you continue to experiment with different combinations.

 

[Sweet Home Alabama]

I have noticed differences in the past, but over time fewer differences as I learned what loading method worked. best.

 

[reloader]

What I've noticed in some of my pipes is that the chamber dimensions have an effect on some blends. Its not a huge difference between wide short vs narrow tall chambers, but I believe that has a bit to do with how the same tobacco will act in various pipes.

 

[musicman]

The wide open airway is what you're experiencing with the cob.

This right here. Does the pipe make THE difference? Not necessarily but it can make A difference. Other than the obvious difference of material, assuming the pipe is well drilled, the two ways I find my pipes make a certain tobacco smoke differently are the openness/tightness of the airway, and the dimensions of the bowl.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

The pipe certainly can make a difference. Cons typically have smaller bowl ID and a wide open draw. But what’s the big deal with a few more delights. In general, I think you’ve got a larger problem if you don’t have relights. May mean you’re in too much of a hurry and not enjoying it.

The only thing that matters is if you’re enjoying it. That’s how you measure the pipe.

 

[captpat]

Agree with @hoosierpipeguy and @blackpowderpiper on this one.

 

[mso489]

To focus on only one point, I've never noticed MM cobs require more relights; it seems they require fewer more often. I also find that they smoke up nearly all (or all) of the tobacco without diminishment of flavor.

 

[ashdigger]

I’ve been smoking a pipe over ten years. I’ve owned about every type of pipe there is.

Here are the four biggest type of errors new pipe smokers make.

1. Tobacco not dried enough.
2. Maximizing human error
3. Overthinking everything about pipe smoking.
4. Comparing your new abilities to people that have forgotten the nuances because it automatically happens.

It’s a pipe filled with tobacco and set on fire. It’ll all work out.

 

[anotherbob]

of course the pipe makes a difference. How significantly has certain limitations. You ever notice how certain drinks have certain glasses. Well those glasses make a difference but they're not going to make something great or terrible just alter the experience in a subtle but significant way. A pipe is sort of like that. A martini drank out of a mug won't stay chill as long and won't force you to sip like a cocktail glass kind of does.

 

[kcghost]

Definitely makes a difference but sometimes the difference is negligible. Cobs are very good utility pipes and are priced according;y.

 

[GabrielSTB]

I notice a difference in how different tobaccos taste in different pipes. Old Joe Krantz is pretty good in a briar or meerschaum but it’s amazing in a cob. Briar Fox only really works for me in a narrow chamber bowl and English blends smoke best for me in a wide bowl.

 

[warren]

Not near as much as the smoker!

 

[anotherbob]

I notice a difference in how different tobaccos taste in different pipes. Old Joe Krantz is pretty good in a briar or meerschaum but it’s amazing in a cob. Briar Fox only really works for me in a narrow chamber bowl and English blends smoke best for me in a wide bowl.

I have to add too that some pipes also just taste different then others for no trackable reason.

 

[CoffeeAndBourbon]

Cobs love burley...

 

[MacMarty89]

If the basics of a pipe are all top notch (drilling, stem, shape, etc.), it shouldn't make a difference what pipe you smoke as long as you have your technique under control.

 

[bullet08]

You probably noticed after 12 pints of Guinness, it really doesn't matter if next pint is horse piss. After so many bowls of tobacco.. Pipe doesn't really adds too much.

 

[JOHN72]

To focus on only one point, I've never noticed MM cobs require more relights; it seems they require fewer more often. I also find that they smoke up nearly all (or all) of the tobacco without diminishment of flavor.

Same.