Sandblasted pipe taste different?

[PipeIT]

The Psychological Ghost ? as we call it around here can be strong. You get a thought perception about the tobacco and pipe, and then you can’t get it out of your head.

So you need to start working on forgetting about a blasted pipe tasting different than a non blasted pipe, because they don’t.

Briar, and all the things that can effect briar, conditions grown in, density, curing/drying processes, then size and shapes, and drilling, etc., are typically the things effecting the briar. Next, the tabac moisture content, blends, drying, packing and smoking styles effect tastes and perceptions.

A lot of the pipes you smoke, are going to be on the same levels/quality of Briar, which might be the reasons you noticed the differences, where the non blasted are different levels/quality. And I don’t mean quality as in the price, but in the things I explained, the various conditions between them, that you’ll never know, unless the makers share this information, on the briar they use, and all the processes they go through, etc...

Be sure to read this article, if you haven’t read it before.

‘The Myth of Brand and Maker in Pipesmoking’, by Dr. Fred Hanna.

https://47eb33e2-aa5c-4340-b7df-6575ebac3ba3.filesusr.com/ugd/17b259_acdce5ca70354ca7a5f64775f95ae600.pdf

 

[mingc]

Hi Guys,

I've notice that all my sandblasted pipes (different makers) wich are all black sandblast, have a different flavour than my normal briars.

The taste is duller than the normal briars, especcialy the ones that have a pre coating (tried even removing it, nothing change).

Maybe is the black dye I'dont know, it's a shame because i love them but they are so dull and flavorless.

Any of you experience the same thing or I'm going crazy?

Thank you

I think I only have 2 black sandblasts. One is a London Briar basket pipe that's about 20 years old. It's a nice smoker. The other is a newer SP 20th anniversary silver cap Peterson that I'm still breaking in. I don't think it's there yet, but I would not call it flavorless. I think in your case, it's simply a coincidence that your black sandblasts are all dull smokers.

 

[Grumpy11]

I smoke lots of sandblasted pipes.5 dunhill shells, several Rossi sandblasted. All smoke good.

 

[anotherbob]

one possibility is that grain and grain patterns effect taste. A pipe with a certain type of grain might be more likely to end up as a sandblast especially with a dark finish. If there is anything physically effecting the taste of the smoke it's probably something along those lines. Now does grain effect taste? Depends on who you ask. I have noticed that tighter more subtly lined grains seem to smoke slightly differently then others. However as always there are so many factors working together it's kind of hard to cut one out and test it.
Oh and all my pipes smoke differently and taste different. Nothing dramatic in most cases. But certain things are sharper in one and duller in another. Might just be a weird coincidence.

 

[bbqpiper]

Hi Guys,

I've notice that all my sandblasted pipes (different makers) wich are all black sandblast, have a different flavour than my normal briars.

The taste is duller than the normal briars, especcialy the ones that have a pre coating (tried even removing it, nothing change).

Maybe is the black dye I'dont know, it's a shame because i love them but they are so dull and flavorless.

Any of you experience the same thing or I'm going crazy?

Thank you

I've never experienced anything like this. My good pipes tend to smoke good all the time and those are mixes of smooths and blasts.

 

[shanez]

If you could magically hold all things equal and the ones and only difference was smooth vs sandblast, the only thing the sandblast would technically do is radiate heat away at a slightly faster rate due to its increased surface area.

 

[Chasing Embers]

When I still had these I licked both of them and they tasted the same.

 

[SpookedPiper]

I’m replying to this only so I can get notices when there are more comments. Everything I’ve read so far defies logic and anything resembling scientific reasoning.
My experience is that certain tobacco types and blends smoke better in different shaped bowls, however never experienced the finish of a pipe affecting the flavor of the tobacco.
I guess at some point, if you are completely stumped and don’t smoke those pipes, you can sell them on the forum?
Hope you reach a happy conclusion.

If you click the the top of the page were it says watch, you don't have to post anything if you don't want to. You should be notified when posts get added automatically.

 

[SpookedPiper]

When I still had these I licked both of them and they tasted the same.

View attachment 139907

And now they are off to a other lucky licker! ?

@mariorossi different pipes taste different, when did you first notice difference? Please do try a blind taste test and let us know.

 

[Chasing Embers]

And now they are off to a other lucky licker!

Nah, out of over 40 of them, I kept one and tossed the rest.

 

[SpookedPiper]

Nah, out of over 40 of them, I kept one and tossed the rest.

It's very kind of you to dispose of unworthy pipes!! I appreciate it!?

 

[highwindows]

I have a friend that says Dunhill Shell Briars taste different to other pipes, to the point where he won't smoke an SB. Other sandblasts, I don't know.

 

[tbradsim1]

I’ve held my tongue long enough this is so godamn silly!

 

[TheIronMonkey]

I have a friend that says Dunhill Shell Briars taste different to other pipes, to the point where he won't smoke an SB. Other sandblasts, I don't know.

Perception is so subjective, who can say what someone detects or doesn't? It's difficult to imagine the increased surface area of a sandblasted finish would change the smoking temperature enough to make tobacco taste different than in a smooth finished pipe. I suppose the dyes used on a pipe could alter the taste from one pipe to another. It seems highly unlikely, but, within the realm of possibility. Dogs have heightened olfactory senses and can reliably detect cancer in humans by smelling them. Maybe some humans can taste differences that others can't.

 

[Western Isles]

Hi Guys,

I've notice that all my sandblasted pipes (different makers) wich are all black sandblast, have a different flavour than my normal briars.

The taste is duller than the normal briars, especcialy the ones that have a pre coating (tried even removing it, nothing change).

Maybe is the black dye I'dont know, it's a shame because i love them but they are so dull and flavorless.

Any of you experience the same thing or I'm going crazy?

Thank you

Perhaps you could try checking the inside of the shank with a good light. If your sandblasts were stained by being dipped in dye, that may have left some nasty tasting residue inside the shank.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I have a friend that says Dunhill Shell Briars taste different to other pipes,

Their cockeyed drilling would cause that more than their texture.

 

[bullet08]

Yes. It's little sandy.

 

[snagstangl]

How do yo clean and maintain your pipes? Alcohol on pipe cleaners or waterflush? Anything to keep the shine up or the stems from oxidizing? I have had pipes that will dull flavors, but it was just the pipe, a guilhall straight billiard, smooth finish. But smoking Scarfelleti and cut up toscano cigars you are used to some intense, potentially harsh, flavors. I have put stuff on a oxidation retardant on stems before and didn't do a good job cleaning it off. When I got it on my tongue it would mute most flavors as soon as it happened.

 

[chrestOmanci]

The replies are exactly what I was expecting from this forum. I also noticed a taste difference. So much so that I'm considering buying a new, smooth, dry pipe. Imo it tastes better in smooth pipes.

 

[macaroni]

Some say that a few folks are super tasters, more taste buds and more sensitive to bitterness. Mostly women, but not all, some say.