School me on Pipe Smoking Contests

[Briar Lee]

There’s no pipe clubs or pipe shows around Bug Tussle or Dunnegan or Flemington or Humansville, not even any at Bolivar, which is the county seat of Polk County Missouri.

But clear back 45 years ago when I was in college I had a pipe smoking friend from St. Louis that talked about pipe smoking contests at pipe clubs and at pipe shows. The idea seemed to be how long you could keep a pipe lit, as I understood the game.

I’d much appreciate some schooling in pipe smoking contests, from folks who’ve actually been in one or seen one.

Would they let me enter with my new Ben Wade Matt Original stuffed with a half ounce of tobacco?

But then somebody might enter a big meerschaum that held a full ounce, and so on, if there were no rules about capacity.

What sort of rules are usual at such competitions?

Any information you could share, will be much appreciated.

 

[solideogloria86]

Never competed in one, but everyone is usually issued an identical pipe, and an equal measure of the same tobacco blend and also a set number of matches.

 

[hauntedmyst]

It depends on the competition. The ones I’ve been in, every one brought their own pipe. Every one was given the same amount of cube cut burley and two or three matches. The contest started and from there it was slow, unpleasant smoking.

 

[Chasing Embers]

slow, unpleasant smoking

I would never call slow unpleasant. It's my favorite way to go.

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

So what is the object of the competition? Meaning what gets the “win”?

 

[Chasing Embers]

So what is the object of the competition? Meaning what gets the “win”?

Last smoker with a pipe still lit.

 

[Pipeoff]

A local B@M shop hosted a two club contest at the annual cook out. Pipe of your choice, 1/2 oz fine cut VA., to matches to start, no relights. The same old gaffer won a hand made two years in a row, it took me a while to figure how. Was it tech, pipe, the only conclusion I came up with was fur from his large beard!

 

[Streeper541]

Seen a few.
Never been in one.

To me, I feel that much concentration and such would take the enjoyment out of the experience of smoking.

The ones I have seen however, were all set up the same way;

Pay a fee to enter;
Everyone received the same pipe, amount & type of tobacco as well as two matches. Last man lit wins. Similar to the video below.

 

[judcole]

It depends on the competition. The ones I’ve been in, every one brought their own pipe. Every one was given the same amount of cube cut burley and two or three matches. The contest started and from there it was slow, unpleasant smoking.

Years ago, I competed in several contests following the principles set up by Paul Spaniola, founder of Paul's Pipe Shop up in Flint. I don't know that Paul invented the concept of a pipe smoking contest, but he did a lot to popularize then, if he did not. If you entered a contest under the rules he had established, it went like this:

• You had your own pipe.
• You were given two grams of Paul's contest blend, 2 strike-anywhere kitchen matches, and a square of sandpaper,
• You loaded your pipe as you saw fit, and when the judge called, "Gentlemen, light your pipes", you had X amount of time to get it lit and smoking.
• If it went out, you were expected to raise your hand and call "Out". Roaming judges might require someone to show smoke if they suspected them of dogging it.
• Last one to go out won.

I did badly in my first one, because I tried too hard. After that, I just brought along something to read, and sat and smoked like I did at home. I had one pipe that I used for these, a big old Dublin, because it perfectly held the 2 grams of tobacco. I never won a contest, but once, in the "World's Championships" sponsored by Paul's and the Arrowhead Pipe Club in Flint, I won a really nice Stanwell, Paul's contest blend was a little odd to the taste, the first time, but you got used to it.

 

[The Amish Tyrant]

Years ago, I competed in several contests following the principles set up by Paul Spaniola, founder of Paul's Pipe Shop up in Flint. I don't know that Paul invented the concept of a pipe smoking contest, but he did a lot to popularize then, if he did not. If you entered a contest under the rules he had established, it went like this:

• You had your own pipe.
• You were given two grams of Paul's contest blend, 2 strike-anywhere kitchen matches, and a square of sandpaper,
• You loaded your pipe as you saw fit, and when the judge called, "Gentlemen, light your pipes", you had X amount of time to get it lit and smoking.
• If it went out, you were expected to raise your hand and call "Out". Roaming judges might require someone to show smoke if they suspected them of dogging it.
• Last one to go out won.

I did badly in my first one, because I tried too hard. After that, I just brought along something to read, and sat and smoked like I did at home. I had one pipe that I used for these, a big old Dublin, because it perfectly held the 2 grams of tobacco. I never won a contest, but once, in the "World's Championships" sponsored by Paul's and the Arrowhead Pipe Club in Flint, I won a really nice Stanwell, Paul's contest blend was a little odd to the taste, the first time, but you got used to it.

I go to Paul's on occasion and enjoy the house blend Arrowhead tobacco (and my Cayuga pipe).

What does the contest blend taste like? They sell it regularly and still hold the championship contests.

For those that don't know, Paul, the now deceased owner, was the "world champion" about 9 times.

 

[Sweet Home Alabama]

Just found out that no one whoever won a smoking contest ever won the New York Marathon. Just a fun fact...LOL!!

 

[jpmcwjr]

A local B@M shop hosted a two club contest at the annual cook out. Pipe of your choice, 1/2 oz fine cut VA., to matches to start, no relights. The same old gaffer won a hand made two years in a row, it took me a while to figure how. Was it tech, pipe, the only conclusion I came up with was fur from his large beard!

Where was this, please?

Please put your location in your Profile, as people are forgetful.
Why:
That will save questions in the future as to where you live when you later mention local stores, weather, tobacco prices, availability, regulations, location of photos, wildfires, air quality, etc. In many instances that saves time for those who read your posts. It cuts down on posts or PMs asking where you are.
How:
Under your avatar, (top right, left most of three symbols) you choose "Account Details", which brings up "My Account". "My Location" is halfway down. Whatever you're comfortable with- town, city, county, state. province, etc.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

My first was at the pipe show at The Briary. You had to use one of your own pipes, and I took my Northern Briars Churchwarden. They gave us two matches and a measured amount of 1Q. I came in third, which I was just proud not to go out first, ha ha.

But, at the pipe show in New Orleans, they gave everyone a cob, 1Q, and two matches. I wasn't crazy about having everyone look at me for so long, plus a cob and 1Q... I just watched.

I have done two more at Briary pipe shows, but I haven't won one yet.

I know that the reason they don't want you to remove the pipe from your clench to tamp is to prevent people from chasing the embers. But, it's usually not a very pleasant experience. But, for my first one, I practiced for a few months, which really helped me slow down my cadence. I think it helped me learn to slow down and enjoy smoking more, but I'm just not a spot light sort of guy. I may do small ones, but any of the big ones.

But, I would encourage others, especially those new to pipes to try it. It really does give you an appreciation for slowing way down.

 

[winton]

The Chicago Pipe Show has slow smoke contest each year. The cost in the past has been $50 to $60. This includes prizes, trophies, 3 grams of tobacco, dowel tamper engraved with dates and other info, and a new pipe. All contestants will receive matching pipes.

Here are the guidelines:

Smoking Contest Preparation - United Pipe Clubs of America

unitedpipeclubs.org

 

[kcghost]

The UPCA adheres to the international rules. It is supposed to be a very orderly event but every once in a rare while you get a guy who just won't admit he's out. As one of the competitors you will be expected to call him out on it.

 

[pipestud]

They are just plain fun!

No scientific or athletic skill required. Just sit down, visit with those around you and have a good time. The only time I am nervous or uncomfortable is until the first guy goes out - and it isn't me!

 

[judcole]

I go to Paul's on occasion and enjoy the house blend Arrowhead tobacco (and my Cayuga pipe).

What does the contest blend taste like? They sell it regularly and still hold the championship contests.

For those that don't know, Paul, the now deceased owner, was the "world champion" about 9 times.

I can't even tell you what it tasted like - we're talking 40+ years ago.

 

[winton]

If there is a dispute about whether the pipe is live or dead, the simple solution is to tell the contestant to blow smoke, literally!

 

[mikecronis]

You know there are pipe contests on YouTube you can watch pretty readily. Some people take it too seriously though. Not as common in the US these days, but some tobacco companies hold some events I hear.

 

[mikestanley]

NASPC, then called OPC, held one pipe smoking contest in 1993 or 94. Much to the chagrin of Bill Unger, who apparently despised the events. Unfortunately, none of the pipes I brought was large enough to hold the entire 3.3 grams of tobacco. I came in 4th. There were prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd. The story of my life.

Mike S.