I picked up a new MM for my collection on Friday while hanging-out at The TinderBox and observing some Backgammon play. A great many years ago I recall hearing about Old Codgers putting a thin coating of honey inside the chambers of their pipes to break them in smoothly. I have never done this with any of my briars, but way back when I got my first MM, I recalled the "honey trick", and decided to try it out on an inexpensive cob. When I went to the cupboard, we had no honey; but, we did have some Vermont maple syrup - so I used that as a substitute (and experiment). This worked out great.
Regarding the new MM I purchased on Friday, I did they same "trick" with the maple syrup again - just putting a thin coating all around the inner-walls and the bottom of the chamber of the bowl with my finger. I let the pipe sit to dry over Saturday, and fired it up this Sunday morning with a bowl full of good ol' 5 Brothers tabak, and kick-started the new pipe into action.
Absolutely delightful; and smoked like an old friend right off the bat.
So, I am sharing this variation on the old "honey trick", by using the maple syrup here; for those who might be interested in trying it the next time they buy a new cob.
Enjoy - Sherm Natman
Regarding the new MM I purchased on Friday, I did they same "trick" with the maple syrup again - just putting a thin coating all around the inner-walls and the bottom of the chamber of the bowl with my finger. I let the pipe sit to dry over Saturday, and fired it up this Sunday morning with a bowl full of good ol' 5 Brothers tabak, and kick-started the new pipe into action.
Absolutely delightful; and smoked like an old friend right off the bat.
So, I am sharing this variation on the old "honey trick", by using the maple syrup here; for those who might be interested in trying it the next time they buy a new cob.
Enjoy - Sherm Natman