Pipe Smoking Must-Do Experiences

[Ahi Ka]

Must do for the top experiences in piping? Smoke on a mountain top. At the ocean, on shore and in a boat. While fishing in a lake, and a stream. In hot dry weather and cold damp weather. With a beautiful woman by your side while walking. Also in bed, in the tub and Jacuzzi.

There are more top pipe smoking experiences that have little to do with the pipe nor the tobacco.

Enjoy!

At first I was worried as I misread the ‘l’ as an ‘n’...?

 

[F4RM3R]

+1 for clay pipes. Try a tavern style. Gives you an idea of what most people smoked back before briar became the norm, and a great smoke in its own right, giving a pure flavour which can brighten up certain blends.

 

[Country Bladesmith]

I have a Canadian on my bench I was thinking I would leave unfinished. Think I should skip waxing it?

It’ll color whether you wax it or not. Here’s the first hobby block I ever did (I really didn’t know what I was doing). Had no clue what finishes were appropriate, so I just gave it a dab of olive oil and some carnauba. That did not color it really, just gave it some gloss. You can see the color change from when I had just finished the stummel compared to now:

That’s just from smoking it. No stain. Excuse my filthy hands in the last picture. I had been sanding desert ironwood. That stuff gets all over everything.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Yep, even leaving it out in light it will darken over time. But smoking and handling speeds it up a bunch.

 

[bullet08]

Levitate a ping pong ball on top of your pipe.

 

[Country Bladesmith]

Levitate a ping pong ball on top of your pipe.

Challenge accepted...

 

[mortonbriar]

Clay! Just don't keep it in your back pocket.

 

[judcole]

With all due respect, this just seems like overthinking it. Just enjoy it.

 

[mikethompson]

For the complete experience, you need to burn your tongue, your fingers, run out of Zippo fuel (even though you just filled it), dry your tobacco too long, then not long enough, spill it on the floor, pack too loosely, too tightly, drop your pipe, burn the rim while lighting, and then finally, burn out a bowl.

For the 'complete experience' you need to make mistakes to get better.

 

[mawnansmiff]

For the complete experience, you need to draw blood whilst packing your pipe.

I did once (reported on here) when a stalk that I had missed managed to embed itself under my thumbnail when packing a bowl. Stung like buggery I can tell you!

Regards,

Jay.?

 

[The Clay King]

Clay! Just don't keep it in your back pocket.

I've broken a few clay pipes since I started smoking them nearly 2 years ago!

 

[mortonbriar]

I've broken a few clay pipes since I started smoking them nearly 2 years ago!

Its just a matter of time, ha. I have a theory about them hardening after being smoked multiple times, but when I say theory I really mean musing.

 

[The Clay King]

Its just a matter of time, ha. I have a theory about them hardening after being smoked multiple times, but when I say theory I really mean musing.

Have you ever smoked clay pipes? Do you still?

 

[mortonbriar]

Have you ever smoked clay pipes? Do you still?

Ha, yes I do smoke my clays, I have 4 or so I think. I might ignore them for a month and then smoke them almost exclusively for a week. I have managed not to break any for quite a while, but the favourite one has a chip in the top. By the way I think my smoke hardening 'theory' that I downgraded to a 'musing' is more realistically downgraded to a 'wish'. I smoked 3 bowls in clays today, trying and comparing various experiments on cured homegrown leaf. I find the size to be great for experimental tastings.

 

[jpmcwjr]

While high heat in a clay might harden it a bit, might it also make it more brittle? Also just musing....

 

[mortonbriar]

While high heat in a clay might harden it a bit, might it also make it more brittle? Also just musing....

I think in relation to the clay its not really high heat and all you are really doing (I muse) is colouring it.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I think in relation to the clay its not really high heat and all you are really doing (I muse) is colouring it.

Clay doesn't color like meerschaum and can return to pure white when cleaning it with fire.

 

[alexnc]

It’ll color whether you wax it or not. Here’s the first hobby block I ever did (I really didn’t know what I was doing). Had no clue what finishes were appropriate, so I just gave it a dab of olive oil and some carnauba. That did not color it really, just gave it some gloss. You can see the color change from when I had just finished the stummel compared to now:
View attachment 36527View attachment 36526
That’s just from smoking it. No stain. Excuse my filthy hands in the last picture. I had been sanding desert ironwood. That stuff gets all over everything.

How long did it take to color like that? Looks great!

 

[Country Bladesmith]

How long did it take to color like that? Looks great!

Maybe a few months to a year of frequent smoking? Not sure, because of how gradual it is.

 

[artvandelay007]

Go to a pipe show.