New Rossi and a question.

[obc83]

Just got a package with a new Rossi Mezzanotte 8806. It's sort of a short lumberman. This is my first new pipe besides a Morgan Bones, some Grabows and a few MM's. It's beautiful. And since I like it so much, I'm overthinking. So my question is; judging by the search results, the general consensus around here seems to be that the whole "break-in" and bowl coating thing, with honey or sour cream or whatever, is either unnecessary or just plain baloney. I do however think that I am having a bit of trouble building cake in my other pipes, likely as a result of smoking too fast, so I'd like to try at least some kind of new technique. I'm thinking I'll go with short first bowl and working up, but I wouldn't be posting this if I wasn't at least nominally looking for advice. I have used honey in the past, not because I am worried about burning out a briar but because I want that velvety sweet, barrel aged smoking experience that television wizards and old men in scally caps seem to be having. Anyway, I should save some breath for the pipe. Pointers appreciated. Thanks.

 

[yanoJL]

I have never added anything other than tobacco to a pipe; no honey, sour cream, or anything. That doesn't mean I am right. That's just me.

Having said that, I prefer to start with a partial fill, and work my way up to a full bowl over a dozen or so smokes. I do this because I find that some cake in the heel tends to absorb a bit of moisture and makes it easier to smoke (less dottle). Whenever I started a new pipe with a complete fill, I found the cake to be more developed in the mid to upper part of the bowl. So I've since resorted to partial, incremental fills with a new pipe.

And I do not swirl or mix ash in an attempt to accelerate heel cake. I'm not looking for an ashy, crumbly cake. I prefer a thinner more solid cake so I remove ash (paper towel or folded pipe cleaner) after each smoke. Cake will still happen. I promise.

One of the things I enjoy about this hobby is that experimentation and trial-and-error are often rewarded. So get in there and try stuff.

Also, breaking in a new pipe is one of the most heavily discussed (and debated) topics in the hobby. Feel free to search out and try a solution that works for you.

PS: That's a gorgeous pipe!

 

[Chasing Embers]

Just smoke it, the breaking in will take care of itself.

 

[RustiePyles CPG]

I’ve never used any additives to cake a pipe. Your problem most likely lies with your tamping. Only tamp in the center and very lightly when breaking in a pipe. Don’t tamp around the edges. Start 1/3 bowls then move to 2/3 bowls then to full bowls. Otherwise smoke it normally, slow and steady. You’ll build cake in no time.

 

[seanv]

I’ve never used any additives to cake a pipe. Your problem most likely lies with your tamping. Only tamp in the center and very lightly when breaking in a pipe. Don’t tamp around the edges. Start 1/3 bowls then move to 2/3 bowls then to full bowls. Otherwise smoke it normally, slow and steady. You’ll build cake in no time.

^+1
Nice pipe. Enjoy it for a long time

 

[Hillcrest]

Beautiful pipe. Put a pipe cleaner in it, fill it with Bourbon and take the shot, load it with tobacco and smoke it. I've never actually done this but it sounds like a good idea. In the old days I would use my pinky and line the bowl with a black berry brandy or honey lightly then smoke it. I don't use anything anymore. Although the blackberry brandy pipes still smoke on the sweet side. Its really forcing a cake and not necessary with the new bowl coatings. The pipemud linings are usually to correct a problem like a hot pipe or burned briar ... again not necessary on a new pipe. Just smoke slow and steady. Enjoy it !

 

[bluegrassbrian]

I like the wisdom of the 1962 Pipe Dan catalog.

 

[ThermionicScott]

Much of the “ALWAYS” and “NEVER” advice about pipe smoking is debatable.

I’ve tried honey/sugar water when breaking in a pipe, and it didn’t seem to make a difference. I’m starting to believe that cake works by reverse psychology: if you want cake to build, it will take forever to start. But if you’re advanced enough not to want it, you will find yourself scraping it off all the time.

 

[Coreios]

If you insist on a cake, use aromatics. Theyre sticky, and cake fast. I personally try to keep my pipes knocked back.

 

[blackpowderpiper]

Just smoke it, the breaking in will take care of itself.

^^^^^ I generally employ this method, simply load the sucker up and go to it.

 

[chefmike]

Much of the “ALWAYS” and “NEVER” advice about pipe smoking is debatable.

I’ve tried honey/sugar water when breaking in a pipe, and it didn’t seem to make a difference. I’m starting to believe that cake works by reverse psychology: if you want cake to build, it will take forever to start. But if you’re advanced enough not to want it, you will find yourself scraping it off all the time.

The above seems to apply to marriage and life as well... pipe smoking as the clarifier of existential reality.