Falcon as Technique Trainer/Assessment Tool

[12pups]

Okay. I got this Falcon a few days ago. And boy howdy! -- it has just been a revelation.
I just now finished a bowl I started about 35 minutes ago. I'm waiting for it to rest a bit before taking the bowl off, anxious to see the humidome. Falcons, if you don't know about metal pipes, have a donut-shaped reservoir at the bowl's base -- the humidome (sp?) -- that collects moisture, a little ash here and there, before smoke passes up the spiraled barrel of the stem to your bit.
As such, the Falcon's sort of a neat way to improve your smoking technique. Quickly. It's a technique analyzer.
1. Slow down or you'll burn yourself. It's a metal pipe. It will get hot if you suck it hard. Sip. Calm down. Enjoy life. Pipe won't get so hot on you!
The bowl I just finished, cool to the touch. I mean, *cool*. And my mouth...mmmm... the French Silk of tobacco pleasure. Creamy, cool smoke bathed. A mouth spa. First one I smoked? Holy hell! I had to finish the thing holding it pinched between my fingers choked way up at the bit, practically. I've improved! I got my money's worth out of that last fill of tobacco, for sure.
2. Check moisture. The first humidome checks were little ponds of brown liquid. Using the exact same tobacco, I've learned to pack it just a tad bit looser. That helped. And I could check that it helped. I've stopped interrupting my breath-smoking so often with greedy pulls on it. Calm. Slow. Easy. Sip when you drink, don't guzzle. Result? Humidome was tan, moist, but not dripping.
The more I learn from my Falcon, the more I hope transfers over to my other pipes. I'm using the Falcon to train my mouth, train my tongue, train my breathing. It's a great assessment device...
...As well as just a really nice way to enjoy tobacco.
How about out you other Falconeers -- what have you learned from your Falcon?

 

[leacha]

For my smoking technique I found out I get a better smoke from packing it a little tighter than I would with my other pipes. In fact the only tobacco I had trouble with in my Falcons is Classic Burley Kake. One particular time, I use rushing, and packed it really tight and when the baccy expanded... I still smoked it with out using my tool though.
Great pipes!

 

[plateauguy]

I hadn't considered it a training tool, but you're right. The reward is a wonderful, cool smoke. I knew you'd like it. I've only met one person who didn't like their Falcon, and it was the looks - not the smoke.
I just added a black, straight stem to my nest. At this point I'm satisfied with my Falcon collection, but who knows what's on the horizon.

 

[apatim]

Ya know, you guys aren't helping reign in my obsession to acquire more pipes! I think we are all a bunch of enablers, here.
I'm not crazy about the way they look either, plateauguy, but the black stems are ok... I'm sure I'll break down and buy one soon.
Interesting points, 12pups... I'm really enjoying your posts.

 

[gmwolford]

Ya know, you guys aren't helping reign in my obsession to acquire more pipes! I think we are all a bunch of enablers, here.

+1

 

[plateauguy]

Apatim, I got mine on ebay (buy it now) for $29.95 for just the stem. I think I picked up the last straight, but they did have a bent one left. Just thought I'd let you know. :lol:
Greg, congratulation on the Kaywoodie. I was nipping at your heals!

 

[gmwolford]

Greg, congratulation on the Kaywoodie. I was nipping at your heals!

Thank you sir; finally I wasn't a minute too late! LOL I've been wanting one of those 13Bs for a long while and my heart skipped a bit when I saw it! :D

 

[stiivn]

I had a Falcon once just out of curiosity. I didn't get on with it very well. In the UK it has a deeply uncool image. Nothing says "decrepit old fart" more than an old guy with a Falcon pipe. The oldies like 'em because they're light and the mouthpiece is broad so they can clench them with their National Health dentures.

 

[apatim]

Cool, plateauguy... I've bought several pipes on ebay so far and will check out the Falcons there to compare prices. Thanks.
hey, stiivn, don't be dissin' us old farts, now! ;-) Ha, ha... I do have my own teeth still but my dentist has gotten about $10,000 from me over the last few years including another $1700 last month. UGH... it's hell gettin' old.

 

[voorhees]

My Falcon smoking experience changed a bit once I added the meer bowl from meerschaum store. Smokes cooler and drier.

 

[plateauguy]

I am an old fart - probably why I like the Falcons. But, I've never cared what other people think . . .

 

[tom12]

I always have the problem of not getting right to the bottom, may be the way I smoke but the last bit tends to be a bit wet and blocks up the hole, other than that I really like them.

 

[warren]

Gives me a good dependable smoke every time. I particularly like the idea of loading up a few bowls, putting a wind cap on them and taking them out on location with me. Very convenient to have four bowls preloaded in the vest and ready to go. This is especially true when I've got a great subject, no carefully loading and tamping. I don't even have to take my eye from the finder, just swap the bowls. I have to be a little more careful with the Falcon than the cobs, but they really are convenient.
I have a few meers, but I am thinking of getting a couple bowls for the Falcon. They're priced so I wouldn't worry to much about breaking or dropping one into the wet.

 

[mso489]

I have too many pipes (by my account) so I am trying to evade Meershaums and Falcons. I have cobs, briars, and clay.

When a pipe off your rack, that isn't new, seems new, exciting, and interesting, you know you have, ah, quite a few pipes.
Oh, and Mountain Laurel.

 

[mrenglish]

Dan Tobacco in Germany has a neat custom made Falcon case. There are slots for two stems with bowls and then slots to hold three or four other bowls. Nice leather. Not too expensive for a case such as this. You can download their catalog here, it is in pdf.
Dan Pipe Catalog
I did a quick scan and did not see the case so it might be in an older catalog. Their catalog is neat to look at though, even better if you speak German.

 

[12pups]

Thanks, apatim and others.
A Falcon salute, one and all.