Filter or no filter?

[thereformedcob]

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.

I do get a little bit of tongue bite which is why I started considering using a filter in the first place. As new as I am, I'm also wondering if that could just be from lack of experience.

 

[thereformedcob]

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

Why did you stop?

 

[JoburgB2]

I tend to use a filter with a corn cob because of their relatively gaping wide open draught hole, where the hardwood inserts the cob. I kept getting bits and pieces of tobacco crumbs on the lips and tongue. But it’s no hard and fast rule. Sometimes I use filters, sometimes not. PS: the wide open draught hole is why I think I like cobs, the airway is opened up, giving an easy unrestricted draw, full of tobacco flavours.

 

[FurCoat]

For the most part, I go filterless. I do however use balsa filters in my yard cobs due to living in an area prone to high humidity and I clench them while I'm working.

 

[Michigan_Bill]

Sometimes I like them, sometimes I don’t. It’s good to have options.

 

[mspadoni]

Why did you stop?

Out of laziness. I can't say I noticed a huge difference after stopping though.

 

[Bassman65]

I also have a sensitive mouth and I love smoking aro’s. I only smoke with AC filters. My preference are 9mm, however, some Savinelli pipes and cobs only take 6mm.

After moving to filters, I’ve never looked back. Just wish I hadn’t bought so many pipes prior to figuring out my preference.

I’ve a beautiful unfiltered Savinelli Churchwarden I’ve never even smoked.

 

[mr_future]

I am a noob and using a charcoal filter to avoid getting “nic sick” (did I make that up?) on mild blend, since the filters absorb some of the nicotine.

 

[WirelessSmoke]

In the cobs that will take a filter, I use the Dr. Grabow 6mm paper filters. I find that those cobs smoke a little better for me with the filter than without. I don't think there's a problem smoking them without a filter as I've done it many times. I just don't get enough difference in taste to be firmly in one camp or the other. I do find that if I smoke a blend that's on the wet side the filter does help dry up the smoke a bit, which may reduce some burn from excess steam. They are only a couple bucks for a pack of ten filters so they're cheap enough to experiment with.

 

[Puff nstuff]

I prefer Medico filters for my cobs and other pipes that take a 6 mm filter. They are probably the least intrusive in regards to the draw and the flavor, but they definitely soak up the moisture and keep the smokestream and airway cleaner. They're also the cheapest.

 

[Searock Fan]

Don't know much about MM mainly because I don't like them. However, for what it's worth, try using a balsa insert when you smoke an aromatic. It can help smooth out the flavor.

 

[Hillcrest]

I used to smoke pipes without filters. I now smoke 6mm and 9mm. I have never tried meerschaum filters as I find meerschaum smoke is hotter than briar (I am probably the only one). I use balsa and activated charcoal mainly activated charcoal. I have never experienced any muted flavor of the tobacco and don't understand that comment. They do limit draw a small bit but not enough to stop using them. They are also healthier if you occasionally inhale. Just 2 cents adjusted for inflation.

 

[OverMountain]

Welcome! You need to try it all, and then try it all again in 6mos once you get your technique down.

I liked the Grabow paper filters and now use 9mm charcoal exclusively. For ME (i make no other claims for individuals) I still get taste, without the tar or moisture. YMMV, good luck.

 

[renfield]

I found that filters mute the flavors slightly, although they do seem to make the smoke smoother on the palate at the same time.

I don’t use filters in any of the the pipes I have that are set up for them.

 

[PipeIT]

I’ve been going on recently saying the meerschaum filters don’t mute.

But, I’m starting to consider, my assessment of the word ‘Mute’, might not be entirely correct.

I do see with Meerschaum it does change the blend, to be softer, subtle, delicate.

So what I’m starting to realize, is while it might not be actually taking away the flavors, but because it turns more subtle, maybe this is being perceived by others as a removal of flavor, since they aren’t as noticeable.

Basically at this point in time for me, which is barely a week with filters, charcoal or meerschaum, for the blends I’ve smoked, it’s like they’re a lighter all day smoking version.

This has all been with a 6mm, which seems to make the draw more restrictive. I’ve been told 9mm is the way to go, but I couldn’t find a 9mm pipe I liked so I bought 6mm instead.

I hope to get a 9mm pipe next month to compare against.

 

[LeafErikson]

Welcome to the forum. I would recommend trying the 6mm cobs with the filter, as that’s how they were designed. If that doesn’t work for ya, try popping out the filter and smoking without one. I personally only buy the unfiltered MM cobs because that’s what I prefer. The draw isn’t as open as smoking a filtered cob without a filter.

 

[Roach1]

Most of my pipes are 9mm and I use a nonfilter insert. O am going to test a few bowls with half no filter and half with the filter. I would like to see if my uneducated palate can define a difference. Using Vauen filters.

 

[Sigmund]

@Roach1 If you have 2 similar pipes try both at the same time. Half a bowl in one if you dont want to load up that much tobacco at once...that or switch back and forth a few times while smoking.

The second half of a bowl will taste different than the first. If you light 2 pipes you can have one with filter and one without.

 

[Roach1]

Good idea,thanks.

 

[Roach1]

Tried a bowl of Dockworker with a Vauen 9mm filter and the flavors were to muted for me. Will try something else.