Introduction, and Some Basic Care Questions.

[rusticreconnaissance]

Hello,
I'm very new to pipe smoking but have been enjoying cigars for the last six years. I've tried cigarettes once and didn't like them at all! I picked up pipe smoking as a way to ween myself off of smokeless tobacco which I've been using the last year or so give or take. I'm finding it pretty hard, BUT I'm making great strides and slowly starting enjoy the art and science of pipe smoking. I'm a fairly well known scratch bread baker around Dallas so if you have recognize me from my avatar give me a shout next time you see me or if you happen to catch me working the ovens or putting product out. The chances of it are going to be slim to none as I work early mornings (12a-3a start, 10a-12p finish). With that said anyone not in the DFW area, well I give y'all a big HOWDY from Texas.
Now I have done extensive research on a lot of the questions I have, but a great deal of the information I have found (on this forum and other media outlets) seem to be very conflicting.
1) In any pipe medium (briar, cob, meerschaum) how long should I wait before I empty the pipe of it's remains? I have heard 4-6 hours, and I've also heard after it cools in about 10m-15m. I understand the importance of cake and don't want to jeopardize the forming/ removing by emptying it too early.

1a) I have heard corn cobs and meerschaums don't form a cake, however I honestly believe that in my MM there is cake that has formed. At least to some extent. Am I crazy?

2) I ultimately need a high nicotine blend/ tobacco to get me away from using the caveman-like smokeless tobacco which I really enjoy. I have heard 1792, Five Brothers, ect will deliver what I'm asking for. However in Dallas I've been hard pressed to find any tobacco from a manufacturer being sold other than the blends at my local B&M. I've asked them which are the strongest that they blend and they have pointed me to those which they feel are the strongest. After trying them out I wasn't satisfied nor did I even believe them to be "strong" in terms of flavoring (non-aromatics) and they thought I was nuts. They gave me about an ounce and a half of latakia on the house, and while it had a great flavor it still wasn't what I am in search of. So what types to y'all recommend to purchase as I might try blending my own (and possibly growing my own at some point)?

2a) I have read burly/ Virginia has the highest nicotine content but what else am I missing out on before I make my next purchase?

3) From smoking cigars I know that matches burn at a lower temperature than your regular lighter and thus it's preferred in the absence of a torch lighter. I also know that torch lighters are NOT to be used with pipe tobacco, but is there anything wrong with using a standard lighter? If so can you please explain the science behind it so I have a better understanding of the reason than just "because it is"?

3a) What exactly is the "false light" and do I draw the flame into the pipe while I perform this act and can I achieve a "false light" from a standard lighter?
I believe those are the questions I have as of this moment, and than you for your time reviewing this essay. I also want to say thank you in advance to all who reply with help or not1

 

[matchstickman]

Welcome to the forum! In regard to your questions, here is my take.
1.) I usually just dump the ash out of my pipe when I am satisfied that it has gone out, i.e., when I dont see smoke coming out of the chamber anymore. Im sure youll get a lot of different answers on this one.
2.) If you're looking for high nicotine, Five Brothers is hard to beat. Some other good choices are MacBaren Golden Extra, Peterson Irish Whiskey, Cornell and Diehl Montford Point Marine, Peterson Irish Flake, MacBaren HH Old Dark Fired, and your 1792 is also a good choice from what Ive been told.
2a.) Burley and Perique are probably the two highest nicotine types of tobaccos that there are and should satisfy that nic craving. Virginia is very high in sugar which leads to a good taste but is relatively low in nicotine, but when combined with Burley it could still pack a punch.
3.) Nothing wrong with using a standard Bic/butane lighter, I do it all the time and I dont really believe that it affects taste, but even a standard Bic lighter can scorch your pipe rim if youre not careful.
3a.) A "False" light is just the initial lighting of the tobacco which normally causes it to expand and spring up a little. This first light is usually not enough for most to get the pipe going. What you want to do is take short, quick puffs to char the tobacco slightly, and when you have singed it a little, take a tamper, push the tobacco back down, then light it again to get a nice even ember going.

 

[crpntr1]

Welcome to the forums

AsI was driving in on I-35 this morning I saw a fellow that resembled you...the question mark was very similar anyway

1 I most of the time let it sit for a couple hours, not intentionaly, just do

1a I've not heard that

2 I'd say 5 Brothers and Jackknife plug from my experience..there are others tho

2a Burley does have some nic in it, but it may not be the level you're looking for IDK

3 I use a Zippo with a pipe insert or a bic when I run out of fluid

3a false light is a charring light, gets everything going, yes you draw the flame in then tamp lightly and after a few moments true light
Hpe this is helpful

 

[crpntr1]

Try a rope, such as Samuel Gawith

if its not enuff nic then you can chew it too ::

 

[rusticreconnaissance]

Thanks guys.
Chris you totally saw me this morning I'd remember your face from anywhere :P
PN, thanks your answers I found to be very informative!
Roth, as far as growing my own I have a bit of a green thumb (no pun) and really like technical projects/ hobbies. As far as blending goes, I do vast amounts of research and studies before I venture into anything. The blends that I can get from my shop aren't so huge in selection. At least to me, so it's a good option/ learning curve for me to travel into. I'm sure the forum user Chris knows my pain when it comes to the DFW area!
Thanks again guys I really am very thankful you took your time out to read and reply!

 

[crpntr1]

Yea the places we've got are fairly limited, up in smoke is closest to my work so I go there some but there getting in less and less

I heard there's a place somewhere in cedar hill that's supposed to have a good selection of tins but I don't remember the name of it

 

[Perique]

Regarding cake in cobs, I smoke several cobs of the MM Country Gent variety and they all form nice cake. Quicker than briar.
Some other suggestions for higher nic blends that appeal to cigarette smokers and dippers in the process of quitting:

Haddo's Delight

Cairo

R Hal o' the Wynd

Old Joe Krantz

Escudo

Acadian Perique