How much can a pipe effect the smoking?

[jpmcwjr]

As a returnee after a long layoff, I had to relearn a fair amount of technique as well as learn some new things. I can't agree more with what sable outlined. Two huge mistakes I made was smoking too damp, and torching the tobacco on relights. Now I try to relight with the minimum flame possible, and am much happier for it.

 

[foggymountain]

The four basic things that influence taste are the tobacco, the pipe (including dryness and cleanliness), technique and your mouth. A briar should be tight grained for a good smoke. Softer briar absorbs too much moisture and tastes soggy unless smoked very rarely Inadequately aged briar won't taste good until the pipe is very old. This is one of the reasons to get a good brand. You can't tell the age of briar by looking at it. The very top brands use aged wood.

 

[msandoval858]

I think a quality pipe plays a pretty significant role in the smoking experiences. To what degree, hard to say. The biggest element is your own technique though. Knowing how to properly pack the pipe and maintain a good smoking cadence will greatly influence how the tobacco burns and tastes. On the other hand, a quality pipe will allow the tobacco to burn properly and allow the airflow of the smoke to be smooth and dry, greatly improving the overall experience. So for me, the two factors kind of go hand in hand.
You can be the best driver in the world but a cheap low performance car still won't win the race. You still need the proper tools for the job.

 

[cortezattic]

An expensive name brand, no, a quality pipe will give you some assurance that the problem is with technique, and not equipment. ::
If a Castello is giving you consistently bad smokes, it's probably you.

So, set it aside and see if you get the same bad results with a Ser Jacopo Maxima Maxima :lol:

Keep doing this sort of thing until you discover that all high grades are causing problems.

Then, quit smoking and sell your pipe collection to me.

 

[blueeyedogre]

If you're only smoking now and then and don't want to invest in a lot of pipes maybe look at a meer? You can smoke meers back to back, they don't influence the flavor of the tobacco, and IMHO..... they look awesome once you've got a few hundred bowls through them. I am not a lover of cobs either but they are a good price point pipe. You can also look at clay pipes, Falcons, or estate pipes to keep the prices down. Falcons are nice cause you can get a new bowl for pretty cheap and use the same stem for them all. As far as your original question of if the shape matters..... to a point yes..... but that doesn't mean a single pipe won't let you enjoy good flavor. You just have to be a bit pickier about the shape you choose. I smoke mostly small cutty/dublin style pipes and that works for me as I mainly smoke VaPers and straight virginia flakes but I will reach for a larger bowl for an aro. A size 3 billiard, bulldog, or something along those lines will work well for almost any type of tobacco. Not to big, not to small, just a nice middle of the road average pipe size will work for you.

Do you smoke cigarettes? That will deaden the taste of the tobacco a bit. Maybe switch up what you're drinking when you smoke? Some guys swear by black coffee, others tea, for me I enjoy my VaPers with a Dr.Pepper. What you're drinking at the time will also affect the level of flavor and different mouths work different ways. What works for some might not hold true for you. Take your time, enjoy, and experiment a little..... after all, pipe smokers are know for their deep thoughts and inquisitive minds. Good luck and good puffing.

 

[robvfr400]

Just a quick update, purchased a Falcon pipe and a corncob. I've read that they can deliver a cool smoke!!! Anyway, thanks for all the advice chaps!!

If anyone is from the UK check out a website called GQ tobacco's, alot cheaper than other places plus there are some good blends im going to have a go at. Gotta save and smoke what I already have!

 

[cigrmaster]

A good quality pipe can make a huge difference in how you enjoy your tobacco. When new your technique is not going to be the best, therefore a good pipe will help immensly. I always recommend a Savinelli for the new smoker as they have a nice open draw, and they will smoke nice and dry. Here is an example of a good beginner pipe. Just toss the filter as it smokes just fine without it.
http://www.smokingpipes.com/pipes/new/savinelli/moreinfo.cfm?product_id=164103
My first pipe was a Sav, and it set a bench mark for me. I knew what a good smoker was after that first Sav so when I got a bad pipe, I knew it.

 

[blueeyedogre]

Just a quick update, purchased a Falcon pipe and a corncob. I've read that they can deliver a cool smoke!!! Anyway, thanks for all the advice chaps!!

If anyone is from the UK check out a website called GQ tobacco's, alot cheaper than other places plus there are some good blends im going to have a go at. Gotta save and smoke what I already have!

You'll enjoy the falcon. I like mine quite a bit.

 

[jpmcwjr]

I like the Sav for a first pipe, and I'd use the filter for a bit, not for a bit, and see what you like more. I like the filters- balsa wood- and find that with some tobaccos that are a bit moist, it does a decent job of capturing the H20.

 

[rottingcorpse]

Draft hole size/drilling, material. A well-drilled meerschaum will never gurgle in my experiences. There are some disadvantages to meers. They're pretty fragile & require a little more maintenance than other pipe materials. But frankly, only a calabash, at least in my opinion, can beat their smoking abilities. They don't need to be rested like other materials, they smoke dry & cool, and they progress with time. They will gain unique color the more you smoke them. I love my briars, but I've been thinking about selling most of them ever since I discovered meerschaum pipes. The likely reason why my pipes gurgle is because I smoke a bit fast and prefer my tobacco a bit moist (especially now that I discovered meers). Even my "best," most expensive briar gurgles quite a bit, and sour tobacco juice will leak through (yuck).I recommend investing in a nice meer with a 4mm draft hole. Altinok is a great source for quality and affordable meers. If you do end up buying a meer, do a little research on them too.
If you don't want to get too invested in the hobby, get a Missouri Meerschaum Corn Cob pipe. They're great smokers for their price and smoke just as good as most briars. I personally am repulsed by their appearance, but for 4-10 bucks, you simply cannot beat their smoking abilities.
Good luck and welcome!

 

[cigrmaster]

rottingcorpse, before you give up on your briars, see about opening them up. It might be that your shank dimension is too small or your stem is too tight. I have had a couple of my pipes opened up and they smoke like a champ now. Try to get your shank dimensions to be about 4.0-4.5mm.
I also own 2 Meers, one is an SMS, the other is a CAO. Both of them smoke like crap because of how the stems were made. I need to have both of them re stemmed as one smokes wet because the stem is too tight, and the other is just so damned uncomfortable I cannot smoke it.

 

[rottingcorpse]

Cigar Master, do you just use a drill and make it wider? That sounds scary.

 

[cigrmaster]

rottingcorpse, I personally would never put a power tool in my hand as I can barely change a light bulb. My pipes were fixed by my buddy Zack Hamric who is a professional pipe maker. I would never suggest playing with one of your pipes unless you are really good with your hands.
http://www.zhamricpipes.com/home.html

 

[rottingcorpse]

Haha! Totally get where you're coming from regarding light bulbs. Anyways, I think I'll just hold on to the briars and maybe sell them in the future. Thanks for the friendly advice though. I just purchased a beautiful estate Pete meer on eBay, so I think I'm set for life regarding pipes unless I dare browse eBay again. My will is weak.

 

[cigrmaster]

rottingcorpse, you are welcome. What briar pipes do you own. If they are nice ones it may be worth sending one out and having it opened up. There are a number of places who do great work. Honestly it is like getting a new pipe when you get it back. Just staart a thread on who opens up pipes and people will respond. Tastes can change over the years and some day you might be surprised that you don't even like meers anymore and that all you want to smoke is briar pipes. I know you find that hard to believe now, but it happens.
At one time I loved my English blends and smoked them for years, now I cannot stand Latakia and the taste makes me want to puke. I never thought that could ever happen, but it did.

 

[rottingcorpse]

That's true. I just enjoy the fact I never am required to rest my meers. I'll definitely hold on to one or two if I do sell them. Thanks again, friend.