Hello from Vermont!

[Gecko]

Welcome from Sweden!
Some great advice above.
I'd just add that a key for me learning to smoke pipes successfully was when someone told me to sip the pipe like you do expensive wine and not take drags like you do from a cigarette.

Neither my father nor grandfather smoked, but I'm hoping to give my children some fond pipe tobacco scented memories.

 

[saltedplug]

Welcome!

Packing: Gravity. Even slight pressure with a finger made pipe smoking irritating for me for 3 years.
Sipping: Especially for one drawn to hot smoking couldn't be more important. The slower the burn the better the flavor, and your mouth will thank you. If you don't master this your enjoyment will take a major hit.
Drying the tobacco: Not a fan. Pease released his tobacco at about 12% moisture. On the other hand some blenders make a practice of charging you for the water.

 

[buzkirk]

Welcome from West Tennessee

 

[mso489]

Welcome from central N.C. That's beautiful country where you are. Years ago, I bought a pouch of Three Star Blue from Iwan Ries, and it seemed kind of edgy and harsh, so I put it aside. Maybe a year later, I tried it again, and it was a whole new day, great old classic aromatic, tobacco forward, and nicely harmonized tobaccos.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Loading the pipe: Two steps, fill to the rim, compress slightly to about 1/4 inch below rim.
Drying: ca. 60% RH @ 70º is perfect for most blends. And most blends are shipped with extra moisture. Sometimes way too much.
A small hygrometer you can put in a jar will help get on the mark.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Welcome!

Packing: Gravity. Even slight pressure with a finger made pipe smoking irritating for me for 3 years.
Sipping: Especially for one drawn to hot smoking couldn't be more important. The slower the burn the better the flavor, and your mouth will thank you. If you don't master this your enjoyment will take a major hit.
Drying the tobacco: Not a fan. Pease released his tobacco at about 12% moisture. On the other hand some blenders make a practice of charging you for the water.

Points one and three indicate tobacco that's too moist for good loading and smoking. All the Pease blends I've had benefit from some drying time.

 

[trouttimes]

Welcome from Colorado. Enjoy the journey. Lots of good advice already so all I'll tell you is you can't smoke too slow and don't worry about relights. So many goods blends that you have yet to experience. Take your time.

 

[smokey789]

Welcome from Western Penna.

 

[GJMinVT]

Welcome!

Packing: Gravity. Even slight pressure with a finger made pipe smoking irritating for me for 3 years.
Sipping: Especially for one drawn to hot smoking couldn't be more important. The slower the burn the better the flavor, and your mouth will thank you. If you don't master this your enjoyment will take a major hit.
Drying the tobacco: Not a fan. Pease released his tobacco at about 12% moisture. On the other hand some blenders make a practice of charging you for the water.

I'm definitely appreciating the idea of sipping... hadn't heard that before and appreciate this perspective from you and our friend in Sweden.

 

[GJMinVT]

Welcome aboard from Central Kentucky!

And what is that incredible pipe you're smoking in the Breath Smoking video?

 

[Chasing Embers]

And what is that incredible pipe you're smoking in the Breath Smoking video?

A Savinelli Silver 904.



One of my collection of 904s, 9004s, and 9005s.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Oops, forgot the one I was smoking.

 

[GJMinVT]

Welcome from West Tennessee

I've motorcycled through your neck of the woods... amazing country.

 

[augiebd]

AND... I should say just how much I love Canada and Western Canada, specifically. My wife's Canadian as are our kids (I'm the only one in the house without two passports!)

I have a sister who married an American and is living in Florida as are her three married children. I’ve worked with several Americans who were great friends and have friends who have been working in the States for years. Lots of great connections.

 

[GJMinVT]

I have a sister who married an American and is living in Florida as are her three married children. I’ve worked with several Americans who were great friends and have friends who have been working in the States for years. Lots of great connections.

Great to hear! Well... sounds like Vermont is in your future.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

Warm Welcomes from Finland-Scandinavia

 

[GJMinVT]

This is clearly a great group of people and I'm looking forward to getting to know you and the forum better. I just received a shipment of Philosopher (non-arom/English) from Tinder Box and a sampling of blends from Peterson... stay tuned!