How Slow can You Go?

[itsnotuitsme]

i started my piping journey a few months ago. at first, i always got a burning hot pipe. i tried going slower. i found cosmicfolklores epic thread about sipping. i learned about the breath method. i thought i had it figured out - couldnt have been further from the truth - when i had an old regular bowl of artisans blend a few days ago, halfway through without even trying to be particularly careful or anything, i just got it. it was almost like a religious experience, i just found the perfect cadence, slower as i ever thought possible. the latakia had a sweetness to it i never experienced. i just sat there, sipping at the pipe for maybe three quarters of an hour, the bowl just an extension of myself, or maybe i was just an extension of that bowl, what a experience. since then, i had many more bowls, nothing compared to that initial new experience, but almost all as consistently good and slow as that first one.
i wonder, if the future will hold another quantum leap like this one...

what were your experiences with slowness of that kind? did you find it unexpectedly all of a sudden? did you get it after a lot of trying? lets come together and slow it down some more

 

[kcghost]

Being a naturally fast puffer, it took me decades to find the right method for me. The breath method just seems unworkable for me. But taking smaller, slower draws on the pipe seems to work. To do it right requires more than the average number relights but what the hay. It's what lighters were made for.

 

[Chasing Embers]

That's how I've almost always smoked. Nearly to the point that you rarely see any visible smoke.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I’m always still working on it. I like what you said about the pipe being an extension of yourself. I think clenching does that for me. It just becomes a part of me.

 

[hall222]

Thanks for sharing, I too am trying to find that magic pocket.

 

[John_B]

It took me a long time to realise that a slower cadence was better. I now habitually clench and use the breath method. That and smoking properly dried tobacco has made tongue bite less of a thing. I can get an hour out of a bowl of St Bruno or other good flake tobacco this way. 40 or 50 minutes from ribbon cut. Sometimes I get only one pipe in a day, and that is much more enjoyable and nuanced.

 

[TheDesertPiper]

I have to be very aware of my cadence when I first start smoking a bowl. If I can consciously go slow after, a bit it just becomes my natural rhythm. It's hard to go slow when the flavor are good though.

 

[ThermionicScott]

I feel like I've made a lot of progress in smoking slower, taking smaller/gentler puffs. But it's still hard to put a pipe in my mouth and try not to puff at all!

 

[sablebrush52]

I've been a super slow sipper for as long as I can remember. As long as the tobacco is barely simmering, at the edge of going out, I get the best flavors.
It's so natural that I don't think about it. I just do it.

 

[Highlandpiper]

Not there yet but sure am enjoying the journey. I look forward to reaching the same point.

 

[tobakenist]

Over 50 years of pipe smoking and have always been a slow smoker, I started on Flake and that helps with slowness, very rarely smoke Flake these day's but still slow.

 

[crashthegrey]

I went to a slow smoke early in my time enjoying a pipe. Naturally, winning a free pipe was a good idea, so I learned to slow down. After a couple of years I won the regional contest and got free entry to the National in Chicago. Learning my cadence is what made me love Virginia tobaccos so much. I did not get them before I learned to be very slow. Plus, tobacco goes a lot further when you take it slow. My best time has been an hour and forty-seven minutes with a three gram bowl. That's without relights during the contest. I guess it is rewarding for my competitive side, but the tobacco has so much more to offer that way, too.

 

[mbmoehl]

Last fall I thought I was getting there, then smoked over the winter, I smoke outdoors only, and because of that I think my brain needs a reset. My theory is the cold air temp allowed me to puff more than sip, even using something akin to the breath method, now as the temps have warmed up, I'm getting tounge bite all over again, something in thought I out grew.

 

[Doctor Chopper]

It requires perfect conditions to get that perfect burn. I am usually outside in the wind, cold, clenching while working, or just not in the right mindset which makes it nearly impossible! I still enjoy smoking immensely and chase the perfect bowl, but it is a rare beast for me. I have learned that relighting is not a shameful thing and can be done in public (unlike masterbation) which helps.

 

[tklee]

It follows my mood and depend on what I'm doing. But I usually smoke slow. When I'm watching a movie, I puff faster

 

[sablebrush52]

My best time has been an hour and forty-seven minutes with a three gram bowl. That's without relights during the contest

Now, THAT'S slow smoking!

 

[Pipeh]

OK, so I've been wanting to ask - I keep seeing members discuss this idea of sipping on the pipe, or keeping the ember at a stage where it's almost in danger of going out. Always with a lot emphasis on how gently do do it. I even recall one member describing how most bystanders will think your pipe isn't lit because they won't notice any smoke. So my question is: are we talking about going so gently that the mouth is not filled with smoke? Because, for me, the sensation and feeling of drawing soft velvety smoke into my mouth is a major attraction. If sipping means not getting a good mouthfull of smoke, then there must be something worthwhile to replace it.

Or am I misunderstanding it: perhaps people suggesting that the thickness of the smoke should remain, but the volume of the smoke should be smaller?

Also, is there any way to link to the "epic thread" about sipping so I can catch up?

 

[FLDRD]

It took me forever, and when it happened I must agree it was like a spiritual bliss...
Doesn't happen all the time, as like others above, I'm mostly outdoors - and the breeze and any activity will interfere with achieving that particular result for me.
But it happens sometimes.
When I'm still,
When I'm calm,
When I'm relaxed and not trying.
And part of it is when I've stopped trying to SMOKE my pipe, and rather (as above) become more a part OF my pipe. Which usually, but not always, means for me that I'm "clenching" it, leaving it IN my mouth with minimal removing, and mostly just breathing through my nose, exhaling now and again through my mouth to expel the already "tasted" smoke and allowing more to creep up the stem and into my mouth.
It's a good thing I enjoy my "not spiritually blissful" smokes too, as they are far more common...

 

[Doctor Chopper]

OK, so I've been wanting to ask - I keep seeing members discuss this idea of sipping on the pipe, or keeping the ember at a stage where it's almost in danger of going out. Always with a lot emphasis on how gently do do it. I even recall one member describing how most bystanders will think your pipe isn't lit because they won't notice any smoke. So my question is: are we talking about going so gently that the mouth is not filled with smoke? Because, for me, the sensation and feeling of drawing soft velvety smoke into my mouth is a major attraction. If sipping means not getting a good mouthfull of smoke, then there must be something worthwhile to replace it.

Or am I misunderstanding it: perhaps people suggesting that the thickness of the smoke should remain, but the volume of the smoke should be smaller?

Also, is there any way to link to the "epic thread" about sipping so I can catch up?

This statement reminded me of several times I achieved it in stores. You walk in with pipe in mouth inadvertently, You stop pulling on the pipe pretending it is not lit. A little later, you take a quick taste with a subtle sip so as to not create smoke indoors. Nirvana...

 

[ThermionicScott]

Also, is there any way to link to the "epic thread" about sipping so I can catch up?

I believe this is the one: On Smoking Slowly and the Benefits... :: General Pipe Smoking Discussion - https://pipesmagazine.com/forums/threads/on-smoking-slowly-and-the-benefits.96504/