On Appreciating Better Pipes
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After re-reading (most) posts, don't think anyone mentioned the gurgling...
I believe that occurs because of fast/hot smoking, and moist tobacco... All my name brand pipes (Savenelli, Brigham, Peterson, etc) gurgle...
I believe that occurs because of fast/hot smoking, and moist tobacco... All my name brand pipes (Savenelli, Brigham, Peterson, etc) gurgle...
I am learning that my perception of "properly dried" may be a bit off.
I'm now working to dry a bit more and reevaluate things.
I'm now working to dry a bit more and reevaluate things.
My point was I'm pretty sure all pipes "gurgle" from inexpensive to name brands, and somehow I don't think it matters
I've never worried about it, and I like a slightly moist tobacco too.
But if one doesn't like gurgling, a slower smoke will probably cure that.
I've never worried about it, and I like a slightly moist tobacco too.
But if one doesn't like gurgling, a slower smoke will probably cure that.
Generally you get the most concentrated flavors from a blend when it's very dry. Dry to the touch when squeezed while still pliant, just shy of bone dry. Some smokers dry theirs until it's crumbly dry, but I find that tobacco also loses flavors when it's crumbly dry. There are some blends that are better with slightly more moisture than what I have described. With some blends, the flavor profile changes slightly at different points of dryness. Russ generally tins at what he considers the optimum moisture level for the blend he has made, so you don't need to dry his out. Other makers have considerably more water, sometimes twice what is optimal, probably for aging and storage. Experiment with the different blends that you smoke to find what works best for you.
Most any pipe can be made to gurgle. Smoke too fast, you develop too much moisture too fast. Sure. But bad pipes... bad pipes gurgle no matter what because they CAUSE condensation - the smoke stream is a mixture of water, oils, esters, and solids from the burn - you knock that stuff out via condensation, you remove a lot of flavor! And it gurgles! Really good pipes are far more forgiving of poor technique, or slightly wet tobacco.
I think the crowd that is saying "Sure, my Stanwell gurgles, but so does my Big Ben" are missing the point - these are factory pipes, put together from parts, with very little care taken. Go to the next level of pipes and you'll find a big difference.
I don't want to brag, but a large part of my pipe making operation is geared toward the "first good pipe" buyer, or the guy who is upgrading from 100 dollar pipes and is hoping that the extra money pays off. Mostly... not always, but mostly, those guys come back to me and say "Holy SHIT Sas, this pipe is amazing." Not just me - most of the pipe makers I talk to and hang out with have the same experience. People buy 14 cheap pipes of mediocre build and then they buy a good artisan made pipe, or a Castello, and presto, there must be some magic in this old black hat right? Magic briar, something. But really all it is is that pipes built with the requisite care smoke 100% better. And if you haven't smoked one, you aren't in a position to speculate.
How many "Cobs (or Kaywoodies, or Dr Grabows, or whatever) are just as good as Castellos" threads are there? A thousand. How many "I've sold my Castellos and gone back to cobs" threads are there? None. Cuz it doesn't happen, really. It's a one way trip for most of us. Hell, I got into pipe making because I was fascinated that two pipes could smoke so radically different - what the hell was going on?
A pipe is a fluid-dynamics equation. It can be solved a number of ways (reverse calabash anyone?) but it needs to be solved, and when it is... hot damn, you get a great smoke.
I think the crowd that is saying "Sure, my Stanwell gurgles, but so does my Big Ben" are missing the point - these are factory pipes, put together from parts, with very little care taken. Go to the next level of pipes and you'll find a big difference.
I don't want to brag, but a large part of my pipe making operation is geared toward the "first good pipe" buyer, or the guy who is upgrading from 100 dollar pipes and is hoping that the extra money pays off. Mostly... not always, but mostly, those guys come back to me and say "Holy SHIT Sas, this pipe is amazing." Not just me - most of the pipe makers I talk to and hang out with have the same experience. People buy 14 cheap pipes of mediocre build and then they buy a good artisan made pipe, or a Castello, and presto, there must be some magic in this old black hat right? Magic briar, something. But really all it is is that pipes built with the requisite care smoke 100% better. And if you haven't smoked one, you aren't in a position to speculate.
How many "Cobs (or Kaywoodies, or Dr Grabows, or whatever) are just as good as Castellos" threads are there? A thousand. How many "I've sold my Castellos and gone back to cobs" threads are there? None. Cuz it doesn't happen, really. It's a one way trip for most of us. Hell, I got into pipe making because I was fascinated that two pipes could smoke so radically different - what the hell was going on?
A pipe is a fluid-dynamics equation. It can be solved a number of ways (reverse calabash anyone?) but it needs to be solved, and when it is... hot damn, you get a great smoke.
" And if you haven't smoked one, you aren't in a position to speculate."
What? I am offended. How dare you infringe on my right to speculate. That is exactly what I am in a position to do!
Baseless speculation, also known as guessing.
What? I am offended. How dare you infringe on my right to speculate. That is exactly what I am in a position to do!
Baseless speculation, also known as guessing.
Any pipe can be made to gurgle. But good quality pipes smoked slowly with tobacco at the right level of moisture do not gurgle as a rule. See sable's and sasquatch's posts, which I realize came after your statement.My point was I'm pretty sure all pipes "gurgle" from inexpensive to name brands, and somehow I don't think it matters
I agree with you on the Red Wing boots, I love my Red Wings!
As far as pipes go, it can be a gamble. I have some stellar smoking high end pipes but I also have had some poor smokers in that range as well. Same goes for my mid and low end pipes. Some of my best pipes are no name cheap pipes. More money doesn't always mean a better smoke. More money for a pair of Red Wing boots though? Hell yeah, those things are quality through and through!
As far as pipes go, it can be a gamble. I have some stellar smoking high end pipes but I also have had some poor smokers in that range as well. Same goes for my mid and low end pipes. Some of my best pipes are no name cheap pipes. More money doesn't always mean a better smoke. More money for a pair of Red Wing boots though? Hell yeah, those things are quality through and through!
I'm guessing they walked away thinking all photographers with big hats, who smoke pipes, while wearing wellies and canvas pants are asses. I encourage that thought process myself. I wouldn't try to carry on a conversation with roughneck changing a bit, or a pipe carver trying to whittle off the end of his finger.
I'm not sure how this turned into a "gurgling" post. For me, and I understand it is only my opinion, the advantages go way beyong gurgling. The hand cut stems / are more comfortable, the airways inside the shanks and stems are smoothed and polished, the shaping isn't lazy, and there is not stain inside the bowls and shank due to being hand stained, not dipped, etc. Well worth the extra dough IMHO.
TIM
TIM
I think gurgling is just one of many obvious and objective problems a guy can point to. Yes, no stain in the bowl, maybe no pre-coat either for some of us. Bit quality, passing a pipe cleaner, longevity of finish... lots of little things go into a nice pipe. One of the things I shoot for is balance - the right bend, the right button, the right stem profile on any given pipe. Kind of an ineffable thing, but if you hit it right, the pipe is much better for it.
So not too long ago I got me this Peterson Aran 80S half bent bulldog and no matter what and how I smoke it gurgling is unavoidable similarly to those so called Peterson system pipes, whereas previously when I had that model of 999 Peterson rhodesian it was never gurgling,and I thought this my new 80s would perform without any issues, obviously this was my misunderstanding
I'm disappointed to hear of the sporadic quality control with Peterson's.
My local shop has a small Poker that I've really been lusting after. 25% off, for $75. I'd hate to buy into a let down, though.
My local shop has a small Poker that I've really been lusting after. 25% off, for $75. I'd hate to buy into a let down, though.
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