Filter or no filter?

[thereformedcob]

I'm new to smoking pipes. I just started to get into the hobby this summer. I actually bought my first pipe of of Amazon of all places. I discovered smokingpipes website shortly after that and have been buying Missouri Meerschaum pipes. I have grown to really like the Missouri Meerschaum pipes as they seem to be great for new people because of how forgiving they are and cheap. I have been smoking them without a filter since I started but was wondering if I should be using one? If so what size should I get?

 

[ziv]

What kind of MM pipes did you buy? Some of the cobs come with a paper filter and others don't. I guess you could try a pipe with and without a filter and see what you like best?

 

[PipeIT]

Filters are a personal preference… Or if you find at anytime you have sensitivity, and getting irritation.

I personally just started trying a filtered briar pipe from Savinelli.

So far my experience has been, the balsa mute the flavors the least, then the meershaum, and charcoal mutes the most.

I‘ved used the Savinelli basla and Vauen Dr Perl Jr 6mm charcoal, but only a few times.

Yesterday was the first time to try the White Elephant Meerschaum 6mm. I was told by an artisan carver that the meerschaum filters don’t mute, but since I only started using one, I’m not sure. I’m planning to get a commission from this carver, to use 9mm meerschaum filters, then I’ll really know better what is going on.

My bet so far for the least amount of flavor muting, is either balsa or meerschaum. But I seriously hope the 9mm meerschaum, as this carver stated to me, don’t mute.

One thing I am also noticing different, with the filters eliminating the unwanted nasties in smoke and cooling it down, there are certainly times when flavors are also more pronounced. It’s like many times I also experience cleaner better flavors/tastes, and it’s also a gentler, cooler nicer mouth feel too for the palate.

 

[PipeIT]

@thereformedcob I was editing over my post, be sure to have a look again.

One thing, being here almost 4 years, most people don’t use filters, for the simple fact of the flavor muting. So it’s my hopes on this Meerschaum Filter Journey I find a different outcome.

There is also something very unique I am noticing when using these filters.

The filters reduce/remove the mouth irritation(s) to varying degrees, creating a nicer, drier cooler smoke, that greatly improves the mouth feel experience, so much, that with a blend as an example that wasn’t pleasant for whatever reasons, most of them now become more delicate/subtle smoking experiences, and also making some of the blends actually taste like a higher quality more refined high class of tobacco.

I have literally experienced with several blends, like going from Beer to Champagne, or fine wine you sip on.

And what you will find too if you are not careful, if you smoke any decent blends, because the filter makes it more subtle, you have to also go easier with the blends, lighting and sipping gently, or at times you can’t taste/experience the flavors profile.

I find with the filters, I have to smoke and sip even slower, like a fine wine connoisseur taster, so I can get the full appreciation.

So just be aware, and go slowly until you understand the blends…

 

[thereformedcob]

What kind of MM pipes did you buy? Some of the cobs come with a paper filter and others don't. I guess you could try a pipe with and without a filter and see what you like best?

What kind of MM pipes did you buy? Some of the cobs come with a paper filter and others don't. I guess you could try a pipe with and without a filter and see what you like best?

I bought 2 in the last month. One because I wanted a smaller bowl. The other one I bought for my birthday. It was a nicer one (30ish dollars) The one I'll probably use the most is the Huck Finn MM. Small cheap pipe.

 

[OzPiper]

I don’t use filter.
Some use them all the time
There are a few threads discussing the different types of filters and their pros and cons

I think the real differences are in the TYPE - paper vs balsa vs rock maple,
Chalk vs charcoal vs meerschaum
Not do much the size

No right or wrong
Try them and form your own opinion.
It’s what does it for you

 

[thereformedcob]

@thereformedcob I was editing over my post, be sure to have a look again.

One thing, being here almost 4 years, most people don’t use filters, for the simple fact of the flavor muting. So it’s my hopes on this Meerschaum Filter Journey I find a different outcome.

There is also something very unique I am noticing when using these filters.

The filters reduce/remove the mouth irritation(s) to varying degrees, creating a nicer, drier cooler smoke, that greatly improves the mouth feel experience, so much, that with a blend as an example that wasn’t pleasant for whatever reasons, most of them now become more delicate/subtle smoking experiences, and also making some of the blends actually taste like a higher quality more refined high class of tobacco.

I have literally experienced with several blends, like going from Beer to Champagne, or fine wine you sip on.

And what you will find too if you are not careful, if you smoke any decent blends, because the filter makes it more subtle, you have to also go easier with the blends, lighting and sipping gently, or at times you can’t taste/experience the flavors profile.

I find with the filters, I have to smoke and sip even slower, like a fine wine connoisseur taster, so I can get the full appreciation.

So just be aware, and go slowly until you understand the blends…

I appreciate the response. Something I have noticed is after most smokes, I'll have a little bit of tongue bite (probably from inexperience) and was thinking it may help. I also don't want to remove all the flavor.

 

[PipeIT]

I appreciate the response. Something I have noticed is after most smokes, I'll have a little bit of tongue bite (probably from inexperience) and was thinking it may help. I also don't want to remove all the flavor.

If you are new with pipes, it will take time to understand, if the issues you face are a lack of pipe experience, or sensitivity in various forms.

Be sure to look at the last post I made, I found a wealth of information online in regards to bite.

Any Advice? Killer Tongue Bite :: Pipe Smoking Basics & Beginner Questions

Roll up your driver's window but leave a just crack for ventilation. If you're filling up the cabin with smoke you're puffing too fast anyway but the draft from highway driving can be like a supercharger for a pipe

pipesmagazine.com

 

[bullet08]

Next MM you buy, get filtered one. Try smoking with filter. Then you can take out the filter and smoke again. After the comparison, make up your mind. I never smoked with a filter. Just knew that's the way I'd like it.

 

[Sigmund]

Try both. I think charcoal filters are much better than meer. I enjoy a smoke with a filter more than unfiltered. You may not prefer them. You won’t know until you try.

 

[BingBong]

In this regard, my gig is 9mm filter pipes without using a filter, but instead utilizing the filter chamber as a condenser. Needs regular cleaning with rolled-up paper towel to remove the tar, every 3 smokes or so, but enhances and integrates the blend to give every nuance. In my humble experience. Your mileage may vary. No refunds.

I smoke normal pipes, too, though.

 

[Christos D. Tsatsaronis]

I prefer to use filter (balsa wood), but I have some MM cobs and briar pipes plus a clay that take no filter.

 

[Sigmund]

FWIW: When I said try both I intended to say get a filter pipe and somke with and without. I dont like meer filters myself. They taste chalky and have a chemical taste for me. Activated Charcol is very nice. I dont have 6mm filter pipes. A lot of people find they are pretty restrictive on the draw. 9mm works well. If you dont like filters you can smoke without or you can buy a 79 cent insert to step it down to a normal non filtered draw. So its a win win either way.

I agree with PipeIT. I find that the only flavors muted by filters is the flavor of the tars. There is a darker and sometimes slightly carmel flavor in tobacco. I suppose some would say thats the taste of tobacco...but when it is knocked down a notch by filters I find I can more readily taste the nuiances in the blend...the perique, the latakia, the sweetness. Its like the smoke has been polished. I smoked sans filter for a good while. The first time I smoked with a AC 9mm filter I was sold.

 

[64alex]

The only pipes I used filters are the corncob with paper and balsa filters. The main reason of the filters on the corncob is just to absorb the excess moisture in them due to the their very large draw and on this regard they work very well.
I don't have any other filtered pipes and as I use mainly meer, clay and morta pipes I don't even see a need for them

 

[The Libertine]

As my caveman ancestor would say "ooga booga filter bad".

 

[HeavyLeadBelly]

For me I don’t usually use filters except for Mac Baran regular tobaccos. While I agree the filters mute the flavor a little bit, they reduce the bite from MB blends.

 

[anotherbob]

I'm new to smoking pipes. I just started to get into the hobby this summer. I actually bought my first pipe of of Amazon of all places. I discovered smokingpipes website shortly after that and have been buying Missouri Meerschaum pipes. I have grown to really like the Missouri Meerschaum pipes as they seem to be great for new people because of how forgiving they are and cheap. I have been smoking them without a filter since I started but was wondering if I should be using one? If so what size should I get?

it's like many probably said a matter of taste and preference. Try it see how it works for you. They're not super popular but the people who like filters often only smoke with a filter. All a filter really does is takes out some of the moisture making it less prone to burning your tongue. If you aren't have that issue feel free to try a filter but I do doubt you'll find it an improvement.

 

[Sig]

Tried them, hated them, dont use them.

 

[tracerbullet]

I prefer using filters. My mouth is sensitive and they help. Albeit with the drawbacks of muted flavor sometimes

 

[mspadoni]

I personally started with filters but then gradually stopped using them.