Smoking without a Filter

[Akoni808]

I always draw on the freshly packed bowl to judge the draw before lighting. Many times I get a small piece of tobacco that pulls through, but never any after that. I am careful to never stir my tobacco at the end of a bowl (I will gingerly dump if necessary) to avoid the ash, and then I never get it. The only filter that I want to taste is the tobacco in the bowl. A filter will change the taste and the smoke. We strive for the perfect blend, why add a flavor?!! We strive for a straight and open stem to avoid condensation, why disrupt the flow and virtually guarantee it is not laminar - even if the filter does not allow the moisture all the way up the stem? Why put a plug in the way so that I can't pass a pipe cleaner? And finally, why add complexity and expense?

After all that, use a filter if you wish. We all enjoy the routine of smoking differently and you do what is best for you. I personally avoid filtered pipes for all the above reasons.

This is a good point, however filtered pipes are specifically crafted to smoke well with filters. I still find smoking filterless more enjoyable personally.

Concerning moisture in a filtered, you must remove and replace filter as well if you are going to smoke half a bowl and then leave the rest for later. Another hassle you don’t have to deal with non-filtered pipes.

 

[judcole]

I don't smoke pipes with filters at all. I have a few MM pipes that were designed for filters that I smoke without. I very, very, very rarely have the issue mentioned in the OP.

 

[crashthegrey]

Well, I am not switching. I occasionally try a pipe without a filter and generally find it not too enjoyable. A month or so ago I smoked a big bowl in one of my 9mm pipes and it was a bit harsh and bitey. After finishing, I pulled the stem to clean it and realized I had forgotten to put the filter in! I'm definitely a filter guy, just really curious as to why more people don't use them.

So I never get tobacco or ash through a properly drilled pipe. Leaving the filter out is not the same as a pipe drilled for no filter. If I am honest, it sounds like the filter is a crutch allowing you to smoke too fast. Once you slow down the filter will not be so noticeable.

 

[PurePipes]

Not directly related to your question but I also love my filtered pipes. They definitely have a place. I use them about 20-30% of the time.
One of my favorite things to put in them are Virginias, so nice to be able to smoke Virginias pretty fast and not get a tongue bite. I happen to be a bit of a freight trainer to begin with and the filtered pipes allow me to stay on this motif...

 

[minerLuke]

Well, I am not switching. I occasionally try a pipe without a filter and generally find it not too enjoyable. A month or so ago I smoked a big bowl in one of my 9mm pipes and it was a bit harsh and bitey. After finishing, I pulled the stem to clean it and realized I had forgotten to put the filter in! I'm definitely a filter guy, just really curious as to why more people don't use them.

I have both filtered and unfiltered pipes and I have boxes of filters for the filter pipes but 99% of the time I smoke unfiltered. Why? Because I'm generally just too lazy to remember switching filters after a couple of smokes in them and I am too cheap to throw them out after every use.

 

[Doctor Chopper]

Not directly related to your question but I also love my filtered pipes. They definitely have a place. I use them about 20-30% of the time.
One of my favorite things to put in them are Virginias, so nice to be able to smoke Virginias pretty fast and not get a tongue bite. I happen to be a bit of a freight trainer to begin with and the filtered pipes allow me to stay on this motif...

While I get what you are saying, Virginia tobacco is best when smoked slowly. Burning fast and filtering will take away tongue bite and make smoking easier, but it still does not allow the tobacco to burn at the optimum rate and allow the full flavor and experience.

I recommend that you learn to smoke better rather than mask with the filter for the optimum experience.

Then again, what the hell do I know. Smoke as you please.

 

[Doctor Chopper]

Does anyone smoke only filtered? If yes, is it for health reasons?

 

[ParkitoATL]

Does anyone smoke only filtered? If yes, is it for health reasons?

I'm 90% filtered, with the occasional unfiltered smoke to remind me why I prefer filters. When I se the tar and the moisture captured in my filters, I'm always glad I use them.

 

[ParkitoATL]

I'm generally just too lazy to remember switching filters after a couple of smokes in them and I am too cheap to throw them out after every use.

My secret with 9mm filters is to wrap them with one layer of paper towel before I screw them into the stem. This makes them fit snug, so no "wrap-around" smoke. Even when the blend is well-dried before packing, the paper towel will come out damp. I change the filter after every bowl, but leave the used filters to dry before reusing at least twice more. The cardboard and charcoal really does the trick with tar and moisture. After drying, there is very little smell to be noticed, even after 2-3 uses.

 

[anotherbob]

So I never get tobacco or ash through a properly drilled pipe. Leaving the filter out is not the same as a pipe drilled for no filter. If I am honest, it sounds like the filter is a crutch allowing you to smoke too fast. Once you slow down the filter will not be so noticeable.

It's the pipe version of training wheels in my mind. Corrects bad technique and wastes tobacco. I knew a guy who was a big tobacco researcher from the health side of things. His statements on filters no matter what kind was that all they really do is capture smoke. comes out the other end at a lower volume but with the same percentages of everything in the smoke. Slowing down does the same thing.

 

[anotherbob]

I'm 90% filtered, with the occasional unfiltered smoke to remind me why I prefer filters. When I se the tar and the moisture captured in my filters, I'm always glad I use them.

I will insist that filters don't change the smoke in any health wise way, but you know what does? Smoking tobacco like you do in a pipe and not intentionally inhaling smoke from it. When I clean my pipes I think no wonder my lungs feel better these days look at that gunk I used to inhale on purpose!
If you like filters go for it. But as far as health goes they're a gimmick. As far as giving you a smoke you enjoy more (which relaxation is healthy so....) clearly they're doing the trick.

 

[OverMountain]

@Doctor Chopper Here’s a recent study. A meta analysis of other like studies would give a better picture but I think this is a good data point that shows positive significant effect. (41% reduction in free radicals) Effect of Charcoal in Cigarette Filters on Free Radicals in Mainstream Smoke - PubMed - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29979036/

Activated charcoal works. The Germans used it in gas mask filters in WW1 and it absolutely absorbed mustard gas etc.

I get cooler and dryer smoke, BETTER TASTE, and for any potential health benefit, I do use charcoal filters.

 

[smmirza]

I smoke filtered pipes because I have noticed I dont get any tongue bite when I use them. But I do smoke filterless once in a while as my fav pipe doesnt take a filter.

 

[Doctor Chopper]

It's the pipe version of training wheels in my mind. Corrects bad technique and wastes tobacco. I knew a guy who was a big tobacco researcher from the health side of things. His statements on filters no matter what kind was that all they really do is capture smoke. comes out the other end at a lower volume but with the same percentages of everything in the smoke. Slowing down does the same thing.

Studies with cigarettes confirm this. Put a filter on the cigarette, and the subject just sucked harder to get the same smoke.

 

[Doctor Chopper]

@Doctor Chopper Here’s a recent study. A meta analysis of other like studies would give a better picture but I think this is a good data point that shows positive significant effect. (41% reduction in free radicals) Effect of Charcoal in Cigarette Filters on Free Radicals in Mainstream Smoke - PubMed - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29979036/

Activated charcoal works. The Germans used it in gas mask filters in WW1 and it absolutely absorbed mustard gas etc.

I get cooler and dryer smoke, BETTER TASTE, and for any potential health benefit, I do use charcoal filters.

Thank you for the study, I like evidence. I am still not convinced.

The study is only at the end of a cigarette, and does not account for actual smoking, much like the mask studies during COVID that used pipes or mannequins. Any filter or barrier is better than none, so the results are predictable. In fact, If you put 5 HEPA filters at the end of a pipe it would make the smoke safer, and 20 would be better. It may even be safer than not smoking and actually inhaling "fresh" air. I realize that I am being silly here to make my point. reductio ad absurdum.

I would counter with the same argument as above. If you are getting less smoke, you puff harder to bring it back up to speed. In a pipe, you probably burn tobacco quicker increasing the amount of tar / free radicals / heat / carcinogens entering the stem, and then filter some out as a percentage. Are you truly better off? I am not sure, but I would bet that it ends up being a small percentage.

Once again, I think that learning proper cadence and smoking technique would surpass any filter. A slow smoke and not inhaling would beat a quicker filtered smoke with billows around your head.



Better taste? I just can't agree with this, especially for a Virginia tobacco. Burning it faster makes the quality of smoke deteriorate. Cooling it after the intense heated burn does not return the quality of smoke. We have all these blends created by masters available to us for a reason, and you think that changing the character of the smoke in some way improves it? I would like to hear a blenders opinion about this, but I don't think I can add a single element to every single blend out there and expect it to be better. I guess that if you can't learn to sip the tobacco and end up with a charred wildfire, a charcoal or balsa filter would improve the taste.

I agree with @anotherbob that filters are training wheels. Hey, many experienced bikers buy trikes. Not quite the same ride through corners, but if you can't lean or hold your bike up they are safer. Just sayin...

 

[OverMountain]

Interesting thoughts! The Peterson patent system pipes were designed (or so I’ve read) to also reduce draw at the bowl resulting in a cooler smoke. I.e., one must huff and puff harder to get the same temperature effect in the bowl.

To each their own. I get fuller taste with a filter. I try and keep my technique slow and also try from time to time in my army mounts by using the filter and then removing the filter to experience the immediate difference.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

I only have one filtered pipe, Savinelli with 6mm balsa, if I smoke it without an adapter in I feel the draw being something too airy

 

[Doctor Chopper]

Interesting thoughts! The Peterson patent system pipes were designed (or so I’ve read) to also reduce draw at the bowl resulting in a cooler smoke. I.e., one must huff and puff harder to get the same temperature effect in the bowl.

To each their own. I get fuller taste with a filter. I try and keep my technique slow and also try from time to time in my army mounts by using the filter and then removing the filter to experience the immediate difference.

The Peterson System is interesting. I wonder what the smoke would look like swirling in the chamber in reality. I love the smoke mine gives, but it does go against the mantra of a straight stem to induce a laminal airflow.

Some times we over think these things. Hey, if you like a filter or churchwarden - smoke it! I like a churchwarden just to keep my beard out of the bowl, but I bet very few pipers worry about that. We have individual needs and desires which is what make this hobby so interesting.

Have a great holiday weekend @OverMountain!

 

[Doctor Chopper]

I only have one filtered pipe, Savinelli with 6mm balsa, if I smoke it without an adapter in I feel the draw being something too airy

I think their filtered pipes are made to smoke with the filter in place. They do sell adaptors because of this, but that can bring in other considerations. I avoid filtered pipes for that reason, but some do look really nice and leave me jilted when I find out they have a filter.

 

[ParkitoATL]

Studies with cigarettes confirm this. Put a filter on the cigarette, and the subject just sucked harder to get the same smoke.

I have to disagree with this. My regular rotation are all 9mm filter pipes, including two Petersons. None of these require any excessive sucking or drawing in order to produce smoke. Esp with the Petersons, I can let them hang in my mouth, breath in through my nose, and the vacuum created will gently bring smoke into my mouth. The others are all European estates of no real mention and require just a bit more draw. The real regulator here is the density of the pack and, for the most part, I just do a gentle gravity fill and don't worry about packing every bowl to the top.

I smoked cigars for 25+ years, so I'm not afraid of tar. It's just so much smoother and flavorful without it. Plus, no tongue bite.