Pipe stuff i need help with

[archedriver]

Well hello there im quite new here.

Im not really smoking alot maybe once a week or a month, depending on time i have for smoking.
I own couple of pipes, and my question is about cleaning some of them and about some other probs with my first pipe.

Problem i have is the third pipe, my very first one and beloved one. Filter gets stuck inside ferrule ( part that comes before shank ). Its Spitfire by Lorenzo so i kind of need help with it, i can smoke it without filter but i got it with them and it has some sentimental value to smoke it with them. ( i use Blitz system 9mm )
Other problem i have is with my new pipe, with cleaning the shank to be more precise, i cant reach shank with pipe cleaners, so any advice could be great

Ofc another one, should i leave ashes in chamber to rest for like an hour after smoke, i heared that helps with all that moisture. Other than that im good to go

 

[okiescout]

Welcome, archedriver

You can get a 9mm adapter for your filter pipe and not have to use the 9mm filters. You can use any 9mm filters for it. There are a number of manufacturers, keep an eye out for sales if you continue to smoke it with filters. P&C and Smoking Pipes and the other sites carry these items as a general rule.You just have to decide what works for you. In regard to the filters jamming, this happens on some pipes. I have many 9mm filter pipes but only one is bad about filters sticking in the mortise. Maybe somebody else knows a fix for it. I would just put an adapter in it. You might have the mortise opened up by a pipe repair man or if you are good with your hands try micro filing it out. You might try wrapping some wet and dry around a filter and try sanding it open a little more.

I just clean the pipe and run a bowed pipe cleaner around the bowl with some Everclear and set it back in the wrack. My question would be what is leaving a mess in the bowl? I just noticed your VA in the background is that what is leaving a wet bowl?

 

[okiescout]

Sorry, archedriver.

In regard to the wet bowl:

I just clean the pipe with a paper towel, and run a bowed pipe cleaner around the bowl with some Everclear and set it back in the wrack, to dry out. My question would be what is leaving a mess in the bowl? I just noticed your VA in the background is that what is leaving a wet bowl? I have not been smoking VA's a long time, but a wet bowl has not come up. Is your smoking cadence slow or are you really puffing on the pipe? Is the tobacco wet? How often do you smoke the pipe before letting it rest. Any of these might be a problem.

 

[okiescout]

Sorry, archedriver.

In regard to the wet bowl:

I just clean the pipe with a paper towel, and run a bowed pipe cleaner around the bowl with some Everclear and set it back in the wrack, to dry out. My question would be what is leaving a mess in the bowl? I just noticed your VA in the background is that what is leaving a wet bowl? I have not been smoking VA's a long time, but a wet bowl has not come up. Is your smoking cadence slow or are you really puffing on the pipe? Is the tobacco wet? How often do you smoke the pipe before letting it rest. Any of these might be a problem.

 

[settersbrace]

Get Churchwarden pipe cleaners if you need the reach. They are like 18" long. You can leave some ashes in the bowl while it cools but I've never seen where it draws any additional moisture out. My SOP is to dump the ash, give a quick wipe to the bowl with a doubled over cleaner in the shape of a U, run a cleaner or two from button to bowl and rack and rest. Deep cleaning every couple months where I take the pipes apart and clean with alcohol and shank brushes.

 

[archedriver]

Well after smoking one pipe i let it rest for 24 hours, i leave ashes inside for like an 40 minutes and then i use pipe tool to get out the ashes, if the pipe is hot i leave it to cool down with ashes inside then i clean the bowl with pipe tool.
After that i use pipe cleaner inside to clean up from mouthpeace to bowl, since and let it rest.

My smokes sometimes go for 20 minutes to 45, maybe 70 minutes max, depending on how well i put the tobacco in chamber and if i smoke it really fast.
I think main problem i have with bowl is that i dont let cake form well there so it looks wet or its something, thanks for some tips i found them usefull.

 

[archedriver]

to be more precise never 20 minutes 30 to 45 more likely but with more tamping and relightening it

 

[settersbrace]

Cake buildup is a positive attribute but there's no rushing it. It'll build as you smoke and the more you smoke. The old adage of a dimes thickness is in my mind a bit much and in reality the very first bowl that's smoked lays down a microscopic layer. Some pieces of briar build cake faster and stronger than others and it needs to be even and start from the bottom up. All this will dry out your smoke but poor engineering in the pipe can cause a gurgling issue no matter what. Often times it's an easy fix but for new pipers it's best left to the pro's. Don't start drilling out the airway just because Cletus done it on You Tube. Pipe cleaners are cheap and there no crime in swabbing out the shank while you smoke. Most newbs slobber a lot when they smoke and therefore cause most of their own moisture problems. Just enjoy.