And it’s your fault I got hooked on these dang Castello Chubby KK’s.+1 on this
I actually thank you for it though as it’s some of the best advice I’ve received and glad I gave them a try.
Pipes With a Restrictive Draw
- Thread starter Richmond B. Funkenhouser
- Start date
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I actually thank you for it though as it’s some of the best advice I’ve received and glad I gave them a try.
They just work and it's effortless as you well know and I get flavour that I cannot get out of other pipes. Simple pleasures my friend.
another one for restrictive draws. I get more flavor and find it easier to sip on without thinking about it. Though I am not that picky two of my pipes are quite open and things taste slightly flatter in them. Nothing to moan about but if given a preference I prefer more restricted draws.
Great discussion! I'll add that a buddy drilled out some of my very expensive pipes after a few rounds of spirits late one night. I didn't like the tight draw at the time, and couldn't avoid wet, unsmokable dottle. Over the next few weeks I shed the dread and remorse of the morning after because I confirmed it did indeed open up the flavor. 30 years later, I still enjoy those pipes just as much, if not more. This said, after more collecting - without drilling them out - I enjoy the narrow draw just as much. It's the smoker, not the pipe, is my story and I'm sticking to it.
I started out with Kaywoodies. And I have a lot of antique pipes with bone tenons. So a narrow draw doesn’t bother me usually.
The worst I’ve had are certain older Italian pipes with acrylic stems. It takes work to get a regular pipe cleaner through one of those. And if it’s bent the problem is likely compounded. The good news is any pipe with a tight draw can be modified.
The worst I’ve had are certain older Italian pipes with acrylic stems. It takes work to get a regular pipe cleaner through one of those. And if it’s bent the problem is likely compounded. The good news is any pipe with a tight draw can be modified.
I personally don’t like super wide open draws. For me, it mutes the flavors and makes the pipe harder to smoke.
See, my problem is, I only smoke Peterson. And somehow they know exactly what my preference is. Like as in they tried all their pipes on me and I loved every one of 'em. Same thing with MM. I love wide open draw. I can control how much I want to draw. I mean, can you spell your name on snow? I can't feel a fork on my left hand, but I can still control the draw.
I think a better term than restricted draw is discussing it in terms of how much resistance one prefers. Its more descriptive and less judgmental. Its how we discuss it when dealing with woodwind instruments.
There is more at "play" when discussing how "restrictive" or how much "resistance" there is in any given pipe.
IMHO "restrictive" refers to air passages through shank and or stem. While "resistance" refers towards how the pipe was packed and or the style and type of tobacco, combined with the humidity of the chosen blend.
As far as the "resistance" factor, you are in control of the variables, by how you pack, how humid / dry said blend is, and type / style of tobacco selected.
"Restrictive" is subjective, since we all have our own preferences. Too "tight" to one may be "perfect" or too "open" to someone else. Of course the opposites might also be correct.
Personally, I lean towards what many might consider an "open" draw. Air passage in the shanks drilled to 4mm, and stem drilled to 3.8 - 4mm. These I believe are close to what Rick Newcombe prefers, but not as "open". Almost every pipe I currently own has been "adjusted" ( by me ) to these specifications. There are a few exceptions, since the pipe carver knew in advance my preference and took that into account when creating said pipes, for me.
My main blend of choice is Escudo, which I semi rub out. Not completely to ribbon, but maybe half way to ribbon, if that makes sense. As far as humidity, I check to see if the tobacco is "springy". To check, I gently squeeze the blend between my thumb and first two fingers. IF it stays "clumped" up, I let it dry a little. IF it gently "un furls" as I release my thumb and fingers, it's just right, for me.
The "method" in which I pack my pipes, combined with the drilling dimensions works for me. It has taken me decades of trial and error to find just the right "combination" of all the above, so each and every pipe smokes well, for me.
IF you believe that "opening" an air passage in the shank or stem may yield a more enjoyable smoke, I suggest you make any adjustments in very tiny increments. Once you remove material, you can't put it back. IF you go too far you will get an "airy" experience. You may find flavor loss. Sometimes you may be able to adjust the draw with tighter packing, but not always. Be prepared and willing to F up a number of pipes trying to find just that right drilling dimension combination, for you.
Before you decide to redrill anything, I would first check the slot in the stem. IMHO that is the area most "restriction" resides. Sometimes all it takes is to open the slot to a slightly move V shape to get the desired results.
Before I finalize the purchase of any pipe I take a standard BJ Long pipe cleaner and insert it through the stem and shank. By the "feel" I am able to tell IF the drilling dimensions are close to what I prefer.
Sorry for the long winded explanation. This subject could have a full chapter dedicated to it, in a How To Smoke a Pipe book......
IMHO "restrictive" refers to air passages through shank and or stem. While "resistance" refers towards how the pipe was packed and or the style and type of tobacco, combined with the humidity of the chosen blend.
As far as the "resistance" factor, you are in control of the variables, by how you pack, how humid / dry said blend is, and type / style of tobacco selected.
"Restrictive" is subjective, since we all have our own preferences. Too "tight" to one may be "perfect" or too "open" to someone else. Of course the opposites might also be correct.
Personally, I lean towards what many might consider an "open" draw. Air passage in the shanks drilled to 4mm, and stem drilled to 3.8 - 4mm. These I believe are close to what Rick Newcombe prefers, but not as "open". Almost every pipe I currently own has been "adjusted" ( by me ) to these specifications. There are a few exceptions, since the pipe carver knew in advance my preference and took that into account when creating said pipes, for me.
My main blend of choice is Escudo, which I semi rub out. Not completely to ribbon, but maybe half way to ribbon, if that makes sense. As far as humidity, I check to see if the tobacco is "springy". To check, I gently squeeze the blend between my thumb and first two fingers. IF it stays "clumped" up, I let it dry a little. IF it gently "un furls" as I release my thumb and fingers, it's just right, for me.
The "method" in which I pack my pipes, combined with the drilling dimensions works for me. It has taken me decades of trial and error to find just the right "combination" of all the above, so each and every pipe smokes well, for me.
IF you believe that "opening" an air passage in the shank or stem may yield a more enjoyable smoke, I suggest you make any adjustments in very tiny increments. Once you remove material, you can't put it back. IF you go too far you will get an "airy" experience. You may find flavor loss. Sometimes you may be able to adjust the draw with tighter packing, but not always. Be prepared and willing to F up a number of pipes trying to find just that right drilling dimension combination, for you.
Before you decide to redrill anything, I would first check the slot in the stem. IMHO that is the area most "restriction" resides. Sometimes all it takes is to open the slot to a slightly move V shape to get the desired results.
Before I finalize the purchase of any pipe I take a standard BJ Long pipe cleaner and insert it through the stem and shank. By the "feel" I am able to tell IF the drilling dimensions are close to what I prefer.
Sorry for the long winded explanation. This subject could have a full chapter dedicated to it, in a How To Smoke a Pipe book......
I cut my cigars wide open, and I re-drill restrictive bits.
It is easier to sip from a cup than from a straw.
It is easier to sip from a cup than from a straw.
It's not like your going to hurt the pipe's feelings if you say it has a restricted draw.
For all we know the pipe intends to have a restricted draw.
For all we know the pipe intends to have a restricted draw.
Well, there seems to be two camps here. Those who wish to help pipes transition, whatever it takes, and those who believe we should leave them as their maker intended. I'm really a live-and-let-live kind of guy.
I love the drawn on all my Dunhiils and J Craigs Ashtons, Stanwells has a bit wider drawn but not that much they'd become unpleasant experience
I think the distinction you draw is about perfect. Thanks.
In all of the hundreds of pipes I've smoked over the years, I've only had two that felt constricted. Since you haven't mentioned any brand specifics it's hard to know what you feel is restrictive. With the two problem pipes, one was an American artisan made pipe whose transition from the stem airway to the slot was not drilled through properly and that was an easy fix. The other was a Kaywoodie and a little opening up of the stinger took care of that. Otherwise the vintage Britwood and the modern "open draw" Artisan pipes both smoke well for me, so struggles and never any flavor problems since I adjust the moisture levels and the pack.
I've never found the traditional airway in the least restrictive. BTW, Charatan bents were drilled at 4.7mm, long before Rick wrote his book or championed a wider airway. As for rarely having to relight, or setting the pipe down for a period of time, I do that all the time with my "restrictive" Britwood.
It's more a matter of the burning properties of the blend, its moisture content, and how it's packed. I used to interrupt a smoke to go into my neighborhood Trader Joe's, stick the pipe in my pocket, go in and pick up some groceries, pay and exit, then pull the still smoldering pipe out and continue to smoke it without a relight. It's not exactly a big trick if you know what you're doing. Nothing to do with the airway width as far as I know.
OP, you just don't know how to smoke a pipe.
You're probably right.
But, have you ever smoked a pipe that had either a too narrow or a too open draw?