The First Smoke Is Great, But the Second Sucks

[kyriefurro]

Out of my not exactly extensive collection of pipes, I've got one that's giving me fits - my little Boswell freehand. It's the same story every time. The first smoke of the day is great. It lights easily, and smokes to the bottom with just a few relights. The second smoke of the day, no matter how long I go between the first and the second, is painfully frustrating. It takes several attempts to light it. It smokes wet and gurgles. And it goes out every 30 seconds or so. It doesn't seem to matter what tobacco I'm smoking, or how I pack it - I've even gone so far as to dump the tobacco and repack it mid smoke. I'm getting to the point where I'm almost not using it.
The only thing that I can think of that's different about the Boswell from the others is that, while it was technically an estate pipe, the seller said he's only smoked it twice, so it wasn't really broken in. Still, I've used it enough that it should be broken in by now - at least I'd think it was.
Anyone have any guess as to what might be going on? Do I maybe just need to break it in even more? Or is there some other trick I might can use to help it along?

 

[05venturer]

Can't help ya buddy

That is yet another reason I smoke MM Cobs, great smoke everytime

 

[undecagon]

That pipe needs MORE rest. Some pipes you can smoke for a day then rest. Apparently this guy needs just one smoke. That's it. When you want a second pipe that day, grab something different. Then, after a week or so, once the pipe is cool, dry, and clean, have that great first smoke again!

 

[tarak]

Yup, many here recommend rest between pipes....se say 24 hrs, some say up to a week. But I'd say if a second bowl is always difficult, miserable, and wet....it needs time.
You may also consider using pipe cleaners throughout your smoke to stay ahead of the moisture issues. According to Brian Lavin, he uses a cleaner multiple times during a smoke.

 

[shutterbug]

I concur. Rest it and rest it some more. You'll quickly discover the sweet spot of the pipe in which you'll know how long you need to leave it alone. I don't want to sound like an ass, but logic would dictate that if it's the best smoke first round, try not expecting it for the second go around. If you let it rest, then every time you pick it up, it theoretically will be the best first smoke of the day.
Shutterbug

 

[bobpnm]

+1 Undecagon. Also, when you finish that first smoke, ream it with a paper towel, run a pipe cleaner through it. If the cleaner won't pass with the stem on make sure you let it cool a bit before you take the stem off. After you run the first pipe cleaner through it, put a second in and let it sit for a few minutes (30 or so). The second cleaner will soak up more moisture. Remove the second cleaner and let it rest. As the pipe gets more broken in, you may find that you can smoke it more than once a day. Then rest it at least one day for each time you smoked it.
Edit- It goes without saying that most Aros smoke wetter. Almost all blends benifit from airing. Technique, technique, etc.

 

[petes03]

Rest! I don't smoke more than 1 bow per day out of any pipe! After each smoke, I run a cleaner through the stem, the bend it into a U shape and twist it into the bowl. Then it goes on the rack and sits for no less than a day. This method has always worked out great for me! I sometimes smoke 6 or more bowls a day, for me that means at least 6 different pipes a day.

 

[tamer291]

I agree. Sounds like you need to give the little guy a rest. Enjoy that first smoke. I only smoke one bowl from my pipes, then its nap time for them. Seems to work out for me. My pipes smoke consistent.

 

[cortezattic]

I follow bobpnm's advice to leave a 2nd, dry pipe cleaner in the stem for a half-hour or so to wick out moisture.

Canadian pipe maker Julius Vesz, a former authorized repairman for Dunhill, says the same thing.

 

[kyriefurro]

You do have a point regarding proper break-in, too.

It's funny. I wrote that I thought it should be broken in by now, and then I looked up when I received it - just 5 short weeks ago. I don't smoke it every day, or anything close to that, so I'm guessing I've smoked it maybe 15-20 times, and probably not even that much. So it's not broken in yet. Hell, it's not even really warmed up yet :D
Guess I'll just have to accept the fact that it's going to have to be babied along a bit more than my other pipes for a while.

 

[cigrmaster]

I only smoke one bowl in any given pipe normally and then let it rest at least one day but usually 2-3. When I am done with a pipe, I let it cool over night and then use 5-7 pipe cleaners to clean it up before putting it back in the rack. After 10-12 bowls or so each of my pipes gets a deep cleaning with shank brush and Everclear. All of my pipes smoke extremely dry using this method. The quality of briar also makes a difference in how often a pipe can be smoked. Today I was out and only had one pipe with me so I smoked 2 bowls in it and the second was every bit as good as the first. I smoked both bowls outside in the humidity of Florida and never needed even one pipe cleaner to soak up moisture.

 

[puffinbilly]

You know guys, this is quite strange, I always used to own only one or two pipes and one of them was always for “best”. The other, the workhorse rarely left the corner of my mouth during waking hours. I didn’t have a problem?
Bill

 

[pjhicks]

Some pipes just need more rest. I have three pipes that I could smoke back to back bowls but I also have five or six that need at least one days rest. They are all well broken in. It just seems that the wood and construction is different. Look at the bright side, you are getting an awesome smoke from the pipe with little breaking in time.

 

[mso489]

It sounds like a unanimous vote for resting the pipe. Yes, buy a few MM cobs for a rotation. I am surprised that you

can't get a second and maybe third smoke out of the pipe in a stretch. Although after that, a few days rest is in order.

But go ahead and break it in, smoking just once each time, over several months, and see what happens. I think it will

improve. Meantime, I'm the guy to tell you, you can get many good briar pipes at very reasonable prices; you don't

have to spring for $100 at a pop. But you have to shop a lot and avoid the many junk pipes out there that are meant

as souvenirs or rip-offs. Estate (used) pipes can be good if you stick to good brands. See the many posts here for some

guidance.

 

[sablebrush52]

My 2¢. Pipe smoking is supposed to be a relaxing hobby, not an exercise in frustration. Not all briar performs equally well, not all pipes by a given manufacturer, no matter how skilled, perform equally well. Little differences in engineering, or briar characteristics can add up to very different results. It could be the type of tobacco that you're smoking in this pipe. Some tobaccos smoke wetter than others.

But in any event, if the pipe doesn't perform for the kind of use you are giving it, it may be best to sell it off and find a more congenial smoke.

Typically I smoke anywhere from 1 to 4 bowls, or partial bowls, in a day using one pipe for that day, and none of my pipes exhibit this kind of issue. After use, the pipe is thoroughly cleaned and put away to rest for several weeks, or longer, between days of use. I'm a slow cool smoker, little sips that keep the bowl going as long as I want. The tobacco that I generally use is a mild and fairly dry smoking blend.

 

[piperl12]

I had this same problem with a Peterson bent pot and found shape effected the moisture content making it goopy after it heated up. Had John Calich open up the draw for me and it smoked like a dream after. I agree though some pipes are a bear to break in. Sometimes however you just have to change in physics of the pipe to straighten out the combustion.

 

[jkenp]

How/where is the draft hole in that pipe? I've never really had your exact problem with a pipe -- including those with little or no cake. I have had wet pipes though -- the worst was a system pipe. Wet seems a function of design more than anything else. I am not easy on pipes and still keep them from souring with proper rest. If I have a pipe that seems to be getting persnickety, I swab it with some decent bourbon, first the bowl and then the stem which get it rested in it for a period. Afterwards, I let it set to dry -- seeing that bourbon is part water. But it is also a sweet liquid and that seems a big help.
Whatever the advice, and there is some good ones here, the final analysis is do what works for you. And, if that particular pipe gives you problems, find another home for it. There are stories galore about the one hated becomes the next guys favorite. Take your lose on it and you'll make the overall enjoyment increase. Don't give up on it though before you're sure.

 

[kyriefurro]

Well, since someone was kind enough to ressurrect this post, I'll throw out a follow-up.
My speculation that the pipe wasn't completely broken in yet appears to have been correct. After posting my original question and reading all the replies, I set out to fix the problem. For eight days or so after posting I made a point of smoking this particular pipe once, and only once, every single day. After each smoke, I'd carefully scrape the bowl with my Czech pipe tool, but I didn't use a paper towel on the bowl until after the pipe had cooled for several hours. Before, I was wiping the bowl down while it was still warm which I believe was seriously slowing down the accumulation of any sort of cake.
As a result of my methodical smoking method, the pipe now smokes much better. I can easily smoke 2-3 bowls a day - which is pretty much my daily smoking limit, anyway. It even did a credible job burning some not quite dry enough Frog Morton On the Bayou the other afternoon.
In fact, the results have been so positive, that I'm slowly applying the same conditioning regimen to my other pipes. They're all estate pipes and they've all been reamed down way too thin, IMO. So I'm hoping to build up a little more cake in all of them.

 

[haroldt]

Kyrie - this has been a very helpful question you have posted here, I learned a lot. I think it's a capitalist conspiracy of the pipe companies :D I can see I'll have to buy more pies - eBay, here I come.
While the coconscious here seems to be rest ones pipe; I do notice that there doesn't seem to be just one way folks are doing thins. Some smoke several bowls before the rest while other religiously rest after each.