Puffing Versus Sipping

[mgolfd]

Hey Crew,
I have a question. I have been smoking for about 8 or 9 months now. I did smoke cigars for years prior. I have been trying to sip more and the flavor is definitely better when I sue this method however, I cannot seem to keep the pipe lit. I do dry out the tobacco so is it the packing or when sipping do you need to do so more. I seems to have turned into a race when I sip as 5,6 or 7 relights are the norm. As far as the puffing i always seem to be at about 10 seconds or so. Trying to time things to gain a good smoking pace (if this is possible?).
Thanks Guys
Marky D.

 

[tarak]

It took me awhile to realize the "depth" of the draw and the "cadence" are two different things. I learned to smoke slowly awhile ago, only recently have I learned to sip lightly. I think there's an art to finding how to sip, and how often to do so.
Also, getting over the fear of relights really helped. Some days I pack it right and I relight very little, some days the lighter stays in my hand Learning to be okay with that and enjoy the journey has helped me enjoy each smoke much more.
Chris

 

[petes03]

Pipe prep and cadence are very important, but for me, it also greatly depends on the blend. If I'm smoking an English, I really have to slow things down and sip ever so lightly and also take a little in through my nose to really get the most from them. Of course I tend to retro-inhale a lot anyway, I find I get more from the blend that way. If I'm smoking something like 1Q or my C. C. Cavendish I can puff away and still get sufficient flavor. On the other hand, if I sip those blends very slowly, they are amazing! I also have to sip blends like Carter Hall and Prince Albert to get the subtle, sweetness out of them.

 

[bryanf]

Try to breath some back through the pipe between sips. Keeps the pipe stoked and cool. The best flavour is on relights, so enjoy them!

 

[pipestud]

Howdy mgolfd,
Sounds to me like you are doing very well with your pipe smoking. 5-6 relights a bowl is not really a lot. If the pipe goes out, just relight and move on down the highway and try not to even think about it. Before you know it your subconscious puffer will get it all straightened out.
If you want to keep the pipe lit with no relights, it's really a simple process and I've listed below what you do. It works perfectly for me -
1. Grow old

2. Light up your pipe with a favorite tobacco

3. Sit in your favorite smoking chair

4. Get the latest Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue

5. Start "reading" it.
You'll soon be puffing like a freight train and even if your pipe wanted to go out it couldn't.
Pipestud

 

[samanden]

One thing to consider is giving your pipe some time between relights, even midway and late into the bowl. For me, this helps lessen the number of relights down the road. I also find that relighting a pipe that has cooled puts less stress on the tobacco. Bacca can taste ashy and bitter if it's scorched from repeated lights.
I'm not sure about cadence because I think that is just something you can't be taught; you just have to find your own way. But I will say this, I don't focus too much on how long I wait between puffs as much as I do to how deeply I puff between puffs. For example, I make take five light and quick puffs, wait several seconds, take one or two deeper draws, wait some more, take a quick puff or two, etc. I often clench my pipe, so my sips suit my mood.
Lastly, as long as flavor isn't compromised everything you do is fine.
Sam

 

[judcole]

Got some good advice here. Try not to over think it - relax, take your time. and don't worry about relights.

 

[cigrmaster]

One thing I believe new smokers fail to do is to make sure they get a really good true light after the initial charring light. I am also a proponent of packing firmer than you think you need to. I make sure I have some good resistance before I light up and that insures the tobacco will burn cooler with less relights. If after a few minutes my pipe tightens up, I just use a pipe cleaner to loosen the draw. When I do have to0 relight, I make sure to dump the ash and to tamp and then light it up again.

 

[flyguy]

I clench my pipe (hands free) and concentrate on breathing through my nose and not my mouth. When I inhale through my nose I draw in just the right amount of smoke. Every second inhale or so, I then exhale a little smoke gently through my pipe. I think my method is a modified version of "Breath Smoking" Breath Smoking. I have to concentrate as I am one of those who cannot walk and chew gum at the same time. I am hoping that eventually this becomes an ingrained habit. I notice when I use this technique, I get very little tongue bite (cooler burning pipe) and the tobacco has much more flavor. Patience, patience, patience and practice, practice, practice.

 

[mso489]

A lot of pipe smokers take a first light as a charring light and don't even expect it to stay lit, though

sometimes one light will do it. But usually three or four lights or fewer is all you need. A little tamping

will usually bring along a lit bowl, if you are able to attend to the smoking. Where I get into multiple

relights is when I'm smoking while doing something that requires undivided attention. Then I just

let the pipe go out and come back to it. But keep the bowl tamped so it won't go out so often.

 

[mgolfd]

Cadence was something I never thought about I just puffed or sipped whenever. I will roll with that and see how it goes.

 

[dennisfbird]

I've been smoking for quite a few years.... and I'm learning something new in each forum I read....

Thanks guys...

 

[mgolfd]

Being all of the comments I along with all newbies appreciate the response. The pipe cleaner really helped tremendously along with packing a little tighter. I have to say I like smoking flakes more then anything. So far Dunhill is número uno in my rotation. Thanks again Marky D

 

[bryanf]

I would just not think about it too much. Definitely SIP, don't PUFF. I think pipe smokers look completely ridiculous when they puff. Look up "Breath Smoking". I never even knew it was a technique until recently. I always smoke this way and always figured that is just the way you smoke a pipe. When you smoke like this, you don't need to think about "cadence" or any of that stuff. Your pipe just becomes an extension of you.