Filtered Pipes, Love Them? Hate Them?

[Chieftiabo]

Just wondering, I just recently picked up the pipe. Why I never discovered pipe smoking before is a mystery to this old cigar collector. In the six months I've been smoking pipes I've collected about three dozen varying styles. I really like my Vauen filtered pipes but am split on some of my others. Preferring balsa, charcoal, paper, or adapters on some and enjoying straight unfiltered pipes as well.
Preferences? Opinions?

 

[Waning Embers]

They're mostly for absorbing moisture. I don't use them myself.

 

[Michigan_Bill]

Sometimes I like the one and sometimes the other. Choices are good!

 

[The Benedictine]

Filters bad ugg ugg

 

[FurCoat]

@Chasing Embers is right, they're good for absorbing moisture. For that reason I use the balsa filters in my yard pipes during the summer due to the humidity in NC. Other than that I don't use them.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I have several pipes made for filters.
I just never put filters in them. lol

 

[Bbailey324]

I don't generally care for them. I like a fairly open draw and don't like the restriction. I also think they reduce flavor perception in some blends. I can see how they might be beneficial for damp aromatics but I rarely smoke those.

 

[Searock Fan]

Filters are not needed. However an "absorber" like the balsa works well with aromatics. Search this forum for how to beat the high price of balsas.

 

[Olkofri]

Love them,

 

[anthonyrosenthal74]

I don't use filters but I actually love a filtered pipe. I just use them filter less for the more open draw.

 

[craig61a]

I’ve got pipes that accept filters, sometimes I use them, sometimes I don’t.

For me, there are some Orientals that sometimes have a sharp, bitey character to them. A charcoal filter tends to mitigate that for me…

 

[Brad H]

It’s a strong hate.
It holds moisture to go back into the bowl where it becomes a boiling chamber of moisture.

 

[tschiraldi]

Hate them. Period.

 

[9mmpuffer]

Love them, can you tell by my name
'For me', they do a lot more than reducing moisture.
My suggestion is give both a shot and determine which you prefer, it's highly personal.

 

[BigR]

I like my pipes with filters. Just change the filter out about every one or two smokes.

 

[DanWil84]

I like them in certain situations. When I pull a new tin of VA or VaPer to smoke and I cant dry it to my prefered moisture level I use them. And I also use them with blends that are a bit more bittey even when dry. But I can also smoke those pipes (I have 2 with filter) without a filter. For me there is no loss of flavour smoking certain blends filtered or non filtered.

 

[fireground_piper]

I use 6mm.

 

[LeafErikson]

I’ve never tried them and have never felt the need. Ultimately, it’s a decision you have to make yourself based on your own experiences and mouth chemistry. Don’t let this forum sway you one way or another.

 

[Puff nstuff]

I use them all the time. They help keep the moisture level down and cool the smoke a bit, and keep the pipe stem cleaner. I mostly use paper filters but also the balsa inserts and occasionally the charcoal ones. Paper are cheap and easy.

 

[Gerald Boone]

I like to smoke without a filter. I have balsa ones and just used them once.