I am not familiar with either of those 2 blends
Filling/loading a pipe is probably the skill that takes longest to master
Important factors:
1) The cut:
If it is shag or ribbon - you need to tamp down. DO NOT USE FORCE. The tobacco should still feel springy. Breaking the strands up into shorter bits will help avoid clumping.
If it is a flake, either rub out completely or cube cut and gravity fill.
2) Dry. Dry. Dry the tobacco.
Not necessarily until it is crisp, but until a pinch will fall apart easily.
After you have mastered the art of filling/loading, you can experiment with different levels of moisture in your tobacco to work out your preference
3) Tamping:
DO NOT USE FORCE:
Tobacco expands when heated/burnt.
Just use sufficient pressure to get the ember down into the unburnt tobacco mass
4) Ashing:
Whenever necessary and only if the excess ash smothers the ember.
5) Relighting:
No rules regarding how many times you are allowed to relight unless you are in a slow smoking comp
However each relight means subjecting the tobacco to a higher temperature
6) Gurgles/moisture:
Steam/moisture is a byproduct of burning tobacco.
If excessive, use cleaners. They are cheap
Or master the “flick” - thumb over the top of the bowl and then a quick flick
Meerschaum chips/Nording Keystones:
Yes, an additional step but they are reasonably cheap.
They greatly help my smoking.
They provide an “air pocket” under the tobacco thus promoting burning.
Plus they help absorb moisture.
Most of my bowls burn down to ash with minimal dottle these days
7) Cadence:
Avoid puffing excessively.
I hold the pipe in hand mostly. I know I am puffing too hard if the pipe becomes uncomfortable to hold.
The best flavours come when the tobacco is not burning feverishly.
Some tobacco NEVER tastes like they smell.
But smoking cooler will result in getting more flavour from your tobacco
I have to admit I like to SEE smoke.
I’ve never seen the point of “smokeless smoking”
Sorry for this verbose post. I hope some of the above is of help to you.
Happy puffing
