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SunriseBoy

Can't Leave
Nov 18, 2021
317
399
Toowoomba
Like a lot of the gents here, I've tried numerous filters, and some of them really are painful to use, and don't do that great a job.
So, I saw a gent on YT making his own paper filters, and demoed how to fold them.
Got some above average wt. writing paper, and did a few. Wow; top result.
Takes a "lot" of moisture out, and gives an great draw.
Very converted!
Check it out:
 

Law

Starting to Get Obsessed
Oct 1, 2020
234
349
Saudi Arabia
I found a way to filter any pipe to Perfection. It is simple and I believe superior than the 9mm filters that anyone can try at home. Cut a small portion of a tissue paper and roll them into tiny balls and drop the at the bottom. Ensure the draft hole is sealed. Then, pour small, activated character pellets until the tissue paper “disappears” or is fully covered. It eliminates dottle, and doesn’t allow any tobacco to pass through to the mouthpiece. Given that some don’t like filters or how they change the flavors, I also can not use 9mm filter or any other filters as they constrict the draw, and for some odd reason, make the tobacco flavors muted. At first, I didn’t notice this as I was smoking with filters, but as I got used to this new method, I completely understood why forum members despised filters. It does actually reduce flavor, due to the constriction of the airflow or the papers themselves, it is up to you to judge. But my method has worked for me, and I can use any pipes without any problems. At the end of every smoking session, I just dump everything and clean my pipe as usual.

Small tip: buy the big bags of activated charcoal pellets meant for fish tanks. This will save you loads instead of dumping 9mm filters charcoal into the pipe. But of course, if you want to try this method before committing, you can use the 9mm filters and dump the activated charcoal on top of the rolled tissue paper. I don’t know why no one thought of this as this method works flawlessly. The tissues absorbs excess moisture, and the activated charcoal completely rids of any harshness without the drawbacks of traditional filters.
 
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anotherbob

Lifer
Mar 30, 2019
17,934
32,488
47
In the semi-rural NorthEastern USA
make the tobacco flavors muted. At first, I didn’t notice this as I was smoking with filters, but as I got used to this new method, I completely understood why forum members despised filters. It does actually reduce flavor, due to the constriction of the airflow or the papers themselves, it is up to you to judge.
YES and some blends are more effected then others. Some it's not really noticable and certainly not enough to say for sure it's the filter. Some though it's enough to make you think you grabed the wrong blend.
 
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Sigmund

Lifer
Sep 17, 2023
4,221
43,457
France
Do what you like. There are loads of pipe smokers that like filters. Plenty of people will tell you’re stupid. Ignore them and do as you please.

I personally think a lot of blends taste better with an ac filter. I also think any filter other than vauen makes the pipe draw stuffy. Of course paper filters don’t restrict much at all. I prefer the ac versions. I dont think they mute any full bodied blend. I do think they make them less muddy.

Experiment and smoke what you like.
 
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Law

Starting to Get Obsessed
Oct 1, 2020
234
349
Saudi Arabia
YES and some blends are more effected then others. Some it's not really noticable and certainly not enough to say for sure it's the filter. Some though it's enough to make you think you grabed the wrong blend.
Absolutely. As a filter smoker, you’ed swear filters give you all the flavors and none of the harshness. But some years later, when I developed this method, I’ve noticed that your typical 9mm charcoal filter does mud away much of the flavor. More so Virginias to me. So this method creates the best of both worlds. Open draw, moisture control, activated charcoal ripping the harshness of the tobacco’s, saves you on tobacco dottle, and no tobacco creeping through the mouthpiece. All wins for me. I can’t go back to your typical filtered pipes, nor do I smoke without this method.
 

anotherbob

Lifer
Mar 30, 2019
17,934
32,488
47
In the semi-rural NorthEastern USA
Absolutely. As a filter smoker, you’ed swear filters give you all the flavors and none of the harshness. But some years later, when I developed this method, I’ve noticed that your typical 9mm charcoal filter does mud away much of the flavor. More so Virginias to me. So this method creates the best of both worlds. Open draw, moisture control, activated charcoal ripping the harshness of the tobacco’s, saves you on tobacco dottle, and no tobacco creeping through the mouthpiece. All wins for me. I can’t go back to your typical filtered pipes, nor do I smoke without this method.
and again nothing wrong with filters but the fact is it's a trade off. You'll lose something to gain something. Conversely the same applies to not using a filter. But to say it only makes it less harsh isn't true. That said I find that a Falcon or other system style pipe does seem to be the best of both worlds. Same with cobs and meers. The trick is find what makes you happy and be open minded enough to accept it might change along the way.
 

Law

Starting to Get Obsessed
Oct 1, 2020
234
349
Saudi Arabia
and again nothing wrong with filters but the fact is it's a trade off. You'll lose something to gain something. Conversely the same applies to not using a filter. But to say it only makes it less harsh isn't true. That said I find that a Falcon or other system style pipe does seem to be the best of both worlds. Same with cobs and meers. The trick is find what makes you happy and be open minded enough to accept it might change along the way.
Funny enough, anyone can filter a falcon. That round cylindrical gap at the bottom could be filled with charcoal pellets and voila, filtered a falcon. No need for any other methods for ridding moisture as the falcon has that in place. And you’re right, nothing wrong with filters. In fact I do recommend them for beginners just for the fact that they got enough in their hands learning to smoke a tobacco pipe and don’t want them leaving the hobby with a swollen tongue. If they learn how to smoke it properly and in proper cadence then I would recommend them to experiment without the filters.
 
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SunriseBoy

Can't Leave
Nov 18, 2021
317
399
Toowoomba
Yeah...I get all the pros, & cons, but I find the paper gets a lot of the moisture out of the smoke. And makes it a bit better for me. At least IMO.
As I've suffered multiple melanomas over the last seven years, smell and taste are two blessings I don't have. So, not much is lost on that score, using a filter.
 

anotherbob

Lifer
Mar 30, 2019
17,934
32,488
47
In the semi-rural NorthEastern USA
Funny enough, anyone can filter a falcon. That round cylindrical gap at the bottom could be filled with charcoal pellets and voila, filtered a falcon. No need for any other methods for ridding moisture as the falcon has that in place. And you’re right, nothing wrong with filters. In fact I do recommend them for beginners just for the fact that they got enough in their hands learning to smoke a tobacco pipe and don’t want them leaving the hobby with a swollen tongue. If they learn how to smoke it properly and in proper cadence then I would recommend them to experiment without the filters.
and the humidome does a great job of everything a filter is supposed to do, without muting flavor.
 

BrightDarkEyes

Part of the Furniture Now
Mar 16, 2024
542
7,944
Shuswap, British Columbia
Small tip: buy the big bags of activated charcoal pellets meant for fish tanks. This will save you loads instead of dumping 9mm filters charcoal into the pipe. But of course, if you want to try this method before committing, you can use the 9mm filters and dump the activated charcoal on top of the rolled tissue paper. I don’t know why no one thought of this as this method works flawlessly. The tissues absorbs excess moisture, and the activated charcoal completely rids of any harshness without the drawbacks of traditional filters.
I use 9mm activated charcoal filters and have some unfiltered pipes, too.

After reading this post I went into the pet store today and saw the activated charcoal pellets you mentioned. The ones I saw there are all made from bituminous coal rather than the activated carbon from coconut shells, which is what I believe is in most 9mm activated charcoal filters.

On an aquarium forum I saw tonight there was a member talking about how coal based activated carbon is necessary for the proper filtration of the water for the tanks while the activated charcoal made from organic based materials such as coconut shells does not meet the specific needs of maintaining the aquarium.

I don't think this is a site that talks about the kind of pipe smoking we do, but I believe it is still relevant.

"NOTE: We do not advise going to your local pet supply store and buying carbon in the fish department. No regulations are placed on carbon that is imported into the United States. This is bituminous coal-based carbon (typically associated with black lung). You will notice a lot of dust in the bag and the labels usually indicate “wash thoroughly” and “harmful if inhaled.” Most of these individual carbon pieces are smaller in diameter and can pass through the filter tube..."

Activated Coconut Carbon – SIPipes - https://sipipes.com/product/activated-coconut-carbon/

Here is another article that talks about water filtration with bituminous coal and activated charcoal made from coconut shells. The main thing I wanted to point out is this:
"The sort of raw materials used to make Activated Carbon has a significant influence on its properties. Coconut shell and bituminous coal are common.

The Activated Carbon made from coconut shells has the most micropores. Micropores are pores with a dimension of fewer than 20 angstrom units (two nanometers)."
Comparison of Bituminous and Coconut Shell Activated Carbon - https://www.karbonous.com/blog/comparison-bituminous-and-coconut-activated-carbon/

I have no affiliation with these sites and I am not trying to promote their products.

I wanted to share this information. I believe the activated charcoal used in 9mm pipe filters is meant to function in a very different way than the activated carbon made from bituminous coal for water filtration.
 

Sigmund

Lifer
Sep 17, 2023
4,221
43,457
France
Since I like filters I tried carbon in the bowl. It did not taste right. That was the end of that. It probably gets too hot. I even put a layer of meer chips on top to keep direct fire away. It was too much hassle with no gain so I abandoned the notion.
 
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Papamique

Part of the Furniture Now
Mar 11, 2020
835
4,013
Thank you so much for posting this! I make my own balsa filters out of triangle balsa sticks I get at hobby lobby BUT they only fit one diameter whereas this will fit all my pipes if I want. I’m going to give this a try. Thanks again.
 
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