Filter - Yes or No?

[moldyoldy]

I know it's probably a matter of personal preference, but how many of you use filters? I'm using them now, mostly to reduce moisture in my now imperfect packings, etc.....Do the pipes with the "stinger" things really work well to reduce moisture, or am I just asking for a gurgly mess right now, and should stick with what I'm doing, until I get this whole thing figured out?

 

[hawky454]

I can't stand how they restrict the draw. Try drying out your tobacco before you smoke. If I blend I absolutely love insists on biting me, then I will resort to using a filter and it usually helps. I use a filter about .01% of the time.

 

[mikestanley]

I don't think stingers do any good. I think the best stingers just don't crap up a smoke. This from a guy who has a number of older Kaywoodies. I briefly used 9mm Big Ben type filters back in the late 1980s but would only use them like the Europeans do, to tame big aromatic blends.
Mike S.

 

[jmill208]

Learn to live without the filters. It's just better without...

 

[prairiedruid]

I chucked all my filters as well.

 

[moldyoldy]

Wonder if using the filter is impeding my tasting the various subtleties in the blends?

 

[wilson]

No on filters. No on stingers except that i have a couple of pipes with stingers that i keep smoking. But, if i had my choice it would be "no" on stingers.

 

[fnord]

M.O.
The only pipes I have that still get a filter are my vintage Made in Canada Brighams. They use a thin maple wood tube which absorbs a tremendous amount of moisture and helps some great old briar behave even more properly. Every other stingered pipe in my collection has been castrated and the remaining pipes made for filters simply do without.
That said, dry your tobacco thoroughly before smoking.
I'm guessing you're relatively new at this. If that's so, please do me a favor. Relax. Exhale. Ask questions here. You'll eventually find a way to smoke that satisfies you. Take your time. The journey is the reward.
Fnord

 

[shawnofthedead]

1. Filters absorb some moisture from wet tobacco when smoking.

2. Filters prevent some ash from entering your mouth.

3. Filters cost unnecessary cash.

4. Pipe cleaners do a better job at removing moisture.

5. Pipe cleanrrs are cheaper than filters.

6. With a filter in the pipe you cannot insert a cleaner.

7. Filters cannot remove moisture formed in the shank, they merely prevent it from getiing in the stem.

8. Many had experienced even more moisture with a stinger than without.

 

[philobeddoe]

How many times can I vote NO!

 

[grue]

My Mr Brog Billiard had a filter. I smoked it once and then took it out so now it smokes likes a dream.

I didn't like it because my taste/smell are not very sensitive and the filter made it more difficult to enjoy the tobacco.

 

[frozenchurchwarden]

I'm still deciding. I haven't used filters lately, but 9mm filter pipes do great with a bit of coiled up pipecleaner in the filter slot.

 

[judcole]

Nope.Stopped using 'em 50 years ago.

 

[coffinmaker]

I don't like filters. I can't understand why a more expensive pipe would need a filter. But, I have a buddy that thinks the filter is the greatest thing, that is all he will smoke. Dr.G or a cob or his couple hundred dollar pipes - filters. To each his own.

 

[iamn8]

I have some very controversial, devisive opinions on this matter.

 

[moldyoldy]

Nate.....Well? Let's hear 'em!! We're all friends here....... :D

 

[jacks6]

I didn't care for them. Just pulled one out of a new pipe that I purchased.

 

[ejames]

Filters--yes. Stingers- no.

 

[igloo]

Hold between thumb and index finger of left hand . Thump with middle finger of right hand . Problem is now solved .

 

[sw0snuff3r]

6mm pipes, no filter. I have a 9mm pipe that smokes better with an adapter.