Hello from Calgary Alberta

Log in

SmokingPipes.com Updates

Watch for Updates Twice a Week

PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor

PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor

PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor

PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor

PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor

Sacred_summit

Starting to Get Obsessed
Jan 24, 2024
121
446
Calgary, Alberta.
I was asked to introduce myself and create a new member post. So here I am:)
I am 36, and I discovered my love for pipe smoking two months ago after I separated from a long-term relationship.
For the past several years I have been a very heavy nicotine vaper (E-cigs) On average I was vaping 120+mg of nicotine daily... I chain vaped, I honestly had no idea how much it impacted my cardiovascular until I switched to smoking a pipe.
Compared to smoking cigarettes, my lungs improved tenfold when switching from cigarettes to vaping. This led me to think it wasn't affecting my lungs. Boy was I wrong! I chain vaped. I couldn't go longer than 30 minutes without puffing my face off with 20mg nic salt.
In the past, I also enjoyed nasal snuff and Swedish snus.
I'm an adventurer. I backpack, mountain climb, ice climb, and still bodybuild on occasion but not like I used to. I started running recently, and that's when I was blown away by how much my lungs healed from getting off the vapor.
The first month was rough... I nicked out hardcore and smoked bowl after bowl, after a month things got easier and I started to adjust nicely.
Typing is hard right now. I tore the pulleys in my middle finger rock climbing, so I can only type with one hand. Please bear with me, and the grammar...

To pipes!
I watched tons of YouTube videos and read a lot of posts on this forum when I started to learn.
Sometimes I chimney, especially if I only have 20 minutes to smoke. I'm getting much better at very slowly sipping. I love the breath method and retro-haling. I love the peaceful time to myself when smoking a bowl slowly.
I started with a curved capri and paid $50. it sucks...
I then bought a Peterson 2022 Christmas edition army copper mount (straight pipe)
Then I bought a Peterson 999 aran.
Then I bought a Brigham 2021 POTY
Then I bought a Chicom Jurassic F4
Then I bought a 4th generation 1931 Erik Stokkebye.
I couldn't even tell you my favorite. It changes depending on my mood. They all are awesome for their reasons.
I've tried a lot of tobacco! Living in Canada the taxes are a bitch... I order from 4noggins and so far half of my orders have never been taxed or caught at customs. The orders that were caught were all over 200 grams (only slightly due to my calculation error) 230g was dinged. 240g was dinged etc.

Still learning what tobaccos I like the best.
Morning Cap, and nightcap, and Sherlock Holmes I enjoyed. Golden Virginia is nice. Three nuns is nice. Cascadia Vertical Limit was my favorite due to its odd salty malt-like taste.
Balkan mix, Bengal slices North Star, Beeks lime, Old joe krantz, Peterson Dublin. The list goes on. I'd say I've tried 25-30 blends over the last two months.
I'm keen to place an order for my favorites, but I'll need to take some time to figure out which those are!
I enjoy higher nic blends. But the sweet and honey flavor of the golden Virginia I liked.
I do have a question for you guys. Cheaper pipes, provided they have been machined well, how do they smoke? As you read, all of my pipes are about $200. Other than the Capri that does suck!
I saw a pipe I liked at my tobacco shop. It was super light and felt nice, but it was only $50 Canadian and I get 10% off on top of that being a VIP customer. The shop employee whom I trust, who is knowledgeable about pipes said that it would smoke very hot compared to my other pipes. Is this true? does the briar on cheaper pipes smoke hot?
The pipe is a Lorenzetti Senator Cilo #54. I don't want to buy it if it will be a bad smoke. I just ordered a Peterson lighter and would rather put that $50 towards it and wait until I have money for a more expensive pipe. Savinelli I'd like as I don't have one yet.
What are your thoughts on this Lorenzetti Senator Cilo #4? It will cost me CAD 45 with my discount. Worth it?
This post is all over the place. It's taking me forever with only one hand to use... Sorry guys! I'm used to typing fast, so I'm trying to get through this. The muscle relaxants and painkillers are not helping either.
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this less expensive pipe, and whether I should go for it or not. Also, tobacco suggestions if you have any.

Thanks guys. I'm looking forward to learning lots and contributing what I can.
 

Bbailey324

Lifer
Jun 29, 2023
2,007
26,119
Austin, TX
Welcome from Texas. Hard to say how the less expensive pipe might smoke. Some are just fine, others not so much. If it is low mass with thin chamber walls and you smoke fast it will get hot. Might be a good challenge for you to figure out how to smoke slowly enough to keep it cool and make it work for you. Every day is a learning opportunity.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sacred_summit

Sacred_summit

Starting to Get Obsessed
Jan 24, 2024
121
446
Calgary, Alberta.
This is true.
I'm currently in my car very very gently smoking becks ol limey. I taste alot of lime, which I really enjoy. It reminds me of a lime flavored nasal snuff I used to love. Or Indian gutkha chewing tobacco. Has beetle nut and limestone to to increase the nicotine absorption. This lime is divine:)

Sadly I can't smoke inside, so I smoke on the deck or if the weather is shit, I smoke in my car and listen to jazz or books on tape. If I barely see any smoke, but really taste the flavors I know I'm doing it right.

I find though, that I feel the nicotine better if I chimney over 20 mins. Vs slowly smoking over an hour and a half. Goes against what I've read which is confusing?
 
  • Like
Reactions: PaulRVA

Scottmi

Lifer
Oct 15, 2022
3,926
57,243
Orcas, WA
Hello and welcome from Washington State! Swing by the "What are you Smoking" threads when you light up. Loads of blends and pipes there!
 

PaulRVA

Lifer
May 29, 2023
4,738
79,508
“Tobacco Row” Richmond Virginia USA
Welcome from Virginia USA
As said above check out the
"What are you Smoking" threads for pipes and tobacco pairings for ideas and pipe & tobacco porn.
As far a cheaper pipes I’d personally wouldn’t venture into that realm as it’s not really necessary since many reputable manufacturers crank out entry level pipes that smoke like a dream. My advice is to keep doing what your doing but stay with a blend through a whole tin until you get a good feel for it. Eventually you’ll level off and find a happy medium in your smoking cadence and tolerance for certain blends or lack of. Hang in there and enjoy the ride!332FFA32-7EC8-41D6-965B-E9998C638824.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: PrivatePiping

AroEnglish

Rehabilitant
Jan 7, 2020
5,150
15,144
#62
Welcome and thanks for the thorough intro. Sorry to hear about the relationship but I’m glad you’ve kicked the vapes and got into pipes. The basket pipes can be a gamble; some are good while others are 💩