Super easy to fix that usually. I really only buy estates partly because I don't like breaking in new ones either. I usually run 2-3 bowls of Pegasus through them after cleanup and deghosting, and they're ready to go.
I Hate Breaking in a New Pipe
- Thread starter fightnhampster
- Start date
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I always think it‘s fun to break in a new one. Choosing what blend genre to dedicate it to and then tasting how it develops over the course of several bowls- I enjoy that. I’m probably weird though ?
Like @Country Bladesmith , I must be in the minority. I really like breaking in new pipes, (well, except for most Peterson’s - they are great, but break in is usually lengthy and not so enjoyable). I recently sold of a number of pipes in my collection and dove into Ian Walker’s Northern Briars, acquiring 9 in the past few months. I’ve smoked 7 of them so far and am absolutely loving it! I still have a dozen unsmoked Israeli Alpha’s from the early 70’s and they present such a unique old flavor upon break in that I’m “rationing” the start dates to add them into the rotation slowly 
Great looking pipes, @chasingembers
I think it might've been Neerup who made some pumpkin looking Fall pipes last year. Might've called it a harvest pipe or something along those lines. I really liked them and kind of wish I had picked one up, as I'm a sucker for seasonal things.
As to the OP, I also hate breaking in a new pipe if it doesn't come with the carbon coating. Don't much like the taste… it's a little like smoking a piece of wood.
I think it might've been Neerup who made some pumpkin looking Fall pipes last year. Might've called it a harvest pipe or something along those lines. I really liked them and kind of wish I had picked one up, as I'm a sucker for seasonal things.
As to the OP, I also hate breaking in a new pipe if it doesn't come with the carbon coating. Don't much like the taste… it's a little like smoking a piece of wood.
One of the perks of estate pipes is that after a few smokes post refurb they tend to be smoking great.
I had a lot of pipes but don't ever remember having a problem with breaking them in. I did sometimes notice a new pipe having what I felt was a taste of uncaked briar, but the problem didn't persist long enough for me to regard it as such.
Peterson break-in, Lakelands and Pipeasandcigars used to be the perennial picks for bashing. I don't see Pipesandcigar bashed anymore, and there was a long thread about Lakelands 6 mos.? ago that was quite reasonable. And I don't think Peterson has come in for a trashing, either.
What's wrong?
What's wrong?
Breaking in a new Peterson on its first bowl as I type. It’s a process!
I agree it's not a problem. Takes maybe 10 bowls to break it in. However, those are not an especially enjoyable first few bowls! Kinda like a new pair of boots. Great once they are broken in a little, but not very enjoyable the first couple times you strap them on.
If you don't like to break in a new pipe get a meerschaum, a morta or a cob. No need to break in and IMO they all smoke better than briar.
They still are darkened on the inside when you buy them.... but truth-be-told.... I have always doubted the “pre-smoked” advertisement. I suspect they have a machine that rubs ash into the inside of the bowl.
Nope they actually have a smoking machine that smokes one bowl. It does about 12 pipes at a time. It was in P&T a decade ago. I don't care for a new presmoked pipe but the machine was pretty cool.
I hear you on that one. Even with sanding the inside of the bowl the first few bowls are awful. One thing I learned breaking in Falcons is that 5 Brothers is great for breaking in pipes quickly without leaving much taste behind.
New pipes are why God created good bowl coatings. I won't buy a new pipe that doesn't have a properly coated bowl.
I do have two, NOS Ashtons with oil-treated bowls. They both broke in beautifully.
I do have two, NOS Ashtons with oil-treated bowls. They both broke in beautifully.
I just bought a Peterson Donegal Rocky 03 Fishtail & it smoked good after 6-7 bowls in 2 days.
Loaded & smoke.
Loaded & smoke.
Recently acquired a new Don Carlos. Bowl, as always, untreated. Smoked well from the get-go. I tend to stick with brands that have smoked consistently well for me in the past, e.g. Don Carlos, Ser Jacopo, and Castellos.....usually estates.
@dcicero : if you have a pipe with a too-tight draw, that can be remedied. For example, I just sent an estate Charatan to Walker Pipe Repair......this pipe had multiple issues, and after Mike's work it now smokes like a dream.
@dcicero : if you have a pipe with a too-tight draw, that can be remedied. For example, I just sent an estate Charatan to Walker Pipe Repair......this pipe had multiple issues, and after Mike's work it now smokes like a dream.
Al, just what I want to smoke, some black goo concocted by a pipe maker, not FDA approved, made from who knows what and how it reacts to fire. Could it be toxic, you don't know, I don't know, know one knows. I have tasted a couple that were disgusting and have tasted the ass of a dead rhino that was more appealing. lol