Smoking Pipe for 2 Days - A I Just Not Used to It?

[karalisarturs]

Hi everyone,
I have just started smoking pipe (today would be the third day). My guess is that I'm not used to the tobacco, but still would like to check up with you guys.
I have smoked cigarettes for 7 years now (different strength). Usually I smoked two cigarettes in a row and did sow about 3-4 times a day (so not exactly a big smoker, compared to my friends). Everything was OK.

The first day I tried the pipe it was great. Felt that it was "stronger" then cigarettes. On the second day evening when I smoked the last pipe (the 3rd of the day) I felt extremely light headed for an hour and I got a headache for several hours after that. Today I didn't pack the pipe full. I got a bit light headed, but it passed fast.
I'm guessing I am not used to the pipe tobacco or I have chosen a tobacco which is too strong for me. Am I guessing right? The same thing happened to me when I started to smoke hookah a few years ago (at first I got light headed very fast, later I've changed the tobacco and everything now I can smoke even the stronger tobaccos with ease).

 

[canadianbacon]

Are you inhaling?

Are you smoking it like it is a cigarette?
It could be that you just have to slow down and enjoy it.

 

[karalisarturs]

I guess I'm smoking it a bit like a cigarette. But I don't rush it. I don't smoke a whole pipe in a few minutes. But when ever I try to slow really down I must relight it (one time it took me about 15 relights to smoke it all the way down).
I would apreciate any tips on how to better smoke the pipe.

 

[canadianbacon]

I read 2 ebooks to get me started. I am still new tp this game as well, only smoking pipes for under a year. I read Old Briar, and Gentleman's Guide to pipe smoking. The second one really hits on the basics. The are many ways to skin a cat, you just have to experiment and find what is right for you.
Also, it could be the tobacco you are using. What kind are you smoking.
Once some of these old fellers wake up from their slumber, I'm sure you will get many more responses.

 

[rayje589]

If you're getting light headed from smoking it sounds like a tobacco issue. It could just be the blend you're smoking is too strong for you. Maybe try an OTC blend such as Captain Black Regular (in the white pouch). I also recommend you slow down when smoking a pipe. So what if it takes you 15 relights? If you smoke slow you're going to get more flavor from the pipe. A bowl should last anywhere from 30-60 minutes depending on bowl size, smoking speed, and tobacco.

 

[karalisarturs]

Thanks for the tip. A usual bowl for me takes abou half an hour and more. So I think I'll try a new tabacco and play a bit with the smoke technique.
Thanks guys. Any more good advice for a newbie?

 

[kylemaxwell]

My advice would be to just keep reading! There is a wealth of knowledge on this forum.

 

[numbersix]

Welcome Karalis Arturs.
If you're inhaling, that will be a big part of it. Most pipe smokers don't inhale. Even so, one can get a large dose of nicotine without inhaling - depending on the blend.
And be aware, pipe smoking is almost an art. It's very tricky in the beginning, so expect some hurdles along the way. But stay on the forum and read as much as you can. The practice of smoking a pipe is highly enjoyable (and better for you than cigarettes btw).
All in all, it's time well spent IMHO. Good luck!

 

[spartan]

You want to let us know which blends you've been smoking and which have given you the spins?
It'll take time to figure out how to properly pack, light, smoke, and keep lit your pipe.
Pack loose. ( you can always make it tighter with your tamper if needed)

Smoke slow. (This is so you will not burn your mouth and the tobacco will have more flavor the smaller and more controlled you can keep the ember)

Experiment with false lighting. (This is the first flame to the tobacco and its purpose is to obtain an even char on the surface, let it go out, then tamp down lightly and evenly. This will give you a nice even surface in which to do your second, or True light)

Tamp lightly and often.

Experiment with different moisture levels in your tobacco.
Smoke slow, consistently, and deliberately. You are trying to control a fire and it requires practice and technique. A good pipe and good pipe tobacco go a long way in making your smoking experience more fulfilling.

 

[phred]

Welcome, Karalis!
When I first started smoking a pipe (I was never a smoker previously), a bowl took me about half an hour. I also wound up with a scorched tongue as a result - I was puffing fast, and my pipe was running hot. One of the bets bits of advice I got in here was to slow down and learn to sip the pipe, rather than puffing away to produce clouds of smoke. It's now to the point where my smaller pipes take a half hour to 45 minutes, and my larger bowls can keep me going for an hour and a half or longer... but I'm not burning my tongue nearly as much or as often!

 

[flyguy]

I am curious. What blend are you smoking?

 

[pylorns]

Yes, please share what you've been smoking? Hell I get lightheaded from smoking a cigar sometimes and I don't inhale - or at least not consciously.

 

[pstlpkr]

I suggest you give the videos in the left-hand column under the "Featured Articles".

Just scroll down a bit.

There are a ton of videos with many very good tips and (for lack of a better term) "best practices".

All good information.

::

 

[karalisarturs]

Thanks to you all for advice
My biggest mistake was that I inhaled the smoke (smokers habbit). After I mastered to control that "reflex" (let's call it like that) and I didn't inhale the smoke I really enjoyed the puffs.
About the tobaaco I'm using. I guess that the ones I have could be a bit exotic for you (since I believe most of you are from USA, but I'm from Latvia). Atleast I couldn't find the tobbacos you all talk about in any tobbaco shop in my city (not that we have a lot of them), well except for Captain Black (that stuff is even avalable in the groccery stores). The most frustrating thing about my local tobbaco shops is that no-one there has the slightest clue about the merchendise. Even from simply reading the pack I get more info then from the store workers.
Here is the first I bought (really cheap, but strong - even with not inhaling):


Here is the second one I got (a bit milder, with honey and plum flavour made in Russia):


P.S.

Sorry for the large images (after you click on the thumbnails) - It's already late and I'm too lazy now to resize them.

 

[numbersix]

Karalis Arturs - I've never been to Latvia, but nice to have you here. It can be tough to find decent tobacco locally. I know some of the vendors who advertise here ship most anywhere, you may want to inquire with some.
Good luck.

 

[Perique]

I was in Riga many years ago. Welcome to the forums.
It's not uncommon for those weaning off cigarettes to inhale occasionally. I did. And still do from time to time, but only with certain tobaccos. And definitely not with mass produced pouch blends. You might be limited on what you can purchase in the shops but I'm sure there's a European vendor that ships to Latvia. If not, Warsaw is only a shot train ride away on the Baltic Express. With all the pipes coming out of Poland, I'm sure they have some good tobacconists.
As for the smoking technique and relights, lots of good advice already given. Be patient. Keep workin' at it. When it all comes together and starts working, it will be glorious. In the meantime, if you inhale every once in awhile it's not the end of the world. Still a lot better than cigarettes!

 

[mso489]

Echoing what's been said, you need better tobacco, even if you have to wait a while for shipping. I think

most pipe smokers would discourage you from inhaling; it's not really what pipe smoking is about for most.

You kind of sip the smoke for the taste. Most pipe smokers aren't after a nicotine high, but those who are

can get a lot of that with a heavy nicotine blend without inhaling. Smoke slowly, not so the pipe goes out,

but so the pipe bowl doesn't get real hot. Don't worry if you have to relight; that's no big deal. Welcome

to Forums. Don't be afraid to ask questions.