The "Good Smoker" Pipe

[dog_park_piper]

If it's a pipe you turn to more and more
then it's become "a good smoking pipe"

 

[makhorkasmoker]

A good smoker does not impart an unpleasant flavor to the smoke and does not lead to a wad of wet dottle even when smoked with good technique. There are bad smokers that do one or the other or both. I have had some, and no less than gl pease has too (see his articles). If i had a pipe with a bit or shape that didn’t suit me, i wouldn’t say it’s a bad smoker. I’d just say it isn’t for me.

 

[Peterson314]

Try clipping the ends of your balsas at a 45 degree angle and see what happens.

Hmm. I'll give it a shot!

 

[Peterson314]

If i had a pipe with a bit or shape that didn’t suit me, i wouldn’t say it’s a bad smoker. I’d just say it isn’t for me.

Exactly.

I have a churchwarden that requires a lot of maintenance during a session. I wouldn't call it a "good smoker" but I absolutely love the thing when I'm in the mood to channel Gandalf.

 

[bullet08]

A pipe that "works" for you is a good pipe. A pipe that you have to bend over backwards to smoke is a bad pipe. A good pipe is easy to smoke, and you enjoy smoking it. A bad pipe is the pipe you put it down on concrete and stepped on.

 

[tobakenist]

All my pipes are good smokers, why ? because I'm a good smoker.

 

[Lucashly]

In my mind, a good smoker is a pipe that lets you enjoy the session. A bad smoker is a pipe I have to fight with for whatever reason.

For example, I won't smoke a wet blend in a bulldog, but it's great in my system pipe. I don't particularly like new cobs because the wood stem inside the cob burns and adds a sour note to the blend, but once this burns off, it's great. I don't like the draw of my Savinelli 673 with the filter in place, but it's one of my absolute favorite pipes when I chuck that balsa in the trash. I've had a Comoy and a Ser Jacopo (estate) that were both sour, but I fixed them both with a thorough cleaning and then activated charcoal. I now consider them "good smokers".

For example, I won't smoke a wet blend in a bulldog, but it's great in my system pipe. Why is this? Just curious.

 

[mwsmoker]

It might be that a pipe’s characteristics align with the tobacco and smoker’s characteristics. I have pipes that consistently deliver a great experience, even though I treat my pipes all the same.

 

[Searock Fan]

I guess I'm what you would call "old school", as I haven't bought a new pipe in over 20 years. Almost all my pipes are from the higher grade Italian makers and I don't have a single one that isn't a good smoke. Fancy artisan pipes, British, Danish etc. are ok if you like them, but as for me, I'll stick with the Italians... and a few meerschaums.

 

[Wet Dottle]

To me, a good smoker is a pipe that allows me enjoy the tobacco to its fullest extent, one that almost makes itself absent from (or transparent to) the smoking experience.

 

[Peterson314]

For example, I won't smoke a wet blend in a bulldog, but it's great in my system pipe. Why is this? Just curious.

Gravity and the system chamber. Wet blends leave more moisture in the bowl, and you can get some gross juices coming through if the tobacco you are smoking is wet and your pipe is flat. My Peterson 314's stem is at a pretty good angle, and it has a chamber that catches any moisture coming through. So, I get a dryer, cleaner smoke in my system pipe.

 

[EvertonFC]

Appreciate all the thoughful feedback. Cheers.

 

[Hillcrest]

For example, I won't smoke a wet blend in a bulldog, but it's great in my system pipe. Why is this? Just curious.

Generally, so I've read here, System pipes have seperate chambers to collect condensation and moisture to keep it out of the bowl. Regular pipes - moisture sometimes collects at bottom of bowl creating dottle which is why everyone recommends drying tobacco a bit before smoking to reduce (not eliminate) moisture that naturally occurs from airflow and heat.

 

[sablebrush52]

All it means is that I get a good smoke out of that particular pipe.

WHY I get an enjoyable smoke out of it may have more to do with knowing how to properly prep the tobacco, pack the tobacco and smoke the tobacco than any feature of that pipe.
There's no fault in that pipes construction that gets in the way of having a good smoke.
Smoking a pipe is 25% equipment, 75% technique.

 

[denholrl]

You often hear pipes referred to as "good smokers" or "bad smokers". My question is this; what is meant by this phrase? Is it:

1. The flavor in imparts?
2. How cool the pipe remains while smoking?
3. How well the pipe stays lit?
4. All of the Above
5. Some of the Above
6. None of the Above... it's a myth and has more to do with the skills of the person smoking the pipe? With obvious exections (poor drilling, etc.)

Thank you.

For me, a good smoker smokes cool, draws easily and requires minimal re-lighting.

 

[anotherbob]

it blows my mind how many people say there isn't any real difference between one pipe or the other. Different pipes taste different. Nothing dramatic but still not sure how it's not obvious. And all pipes seem to handle slightly differently. Though like most tools knowing how to use it is the bigger thing by a lot. I've seen lots of new pipe smokers or sloppy pipe smokers express this notion that they'll find the magic pipe that makes all their smokes great. The most a system or dry well or humidome is going to do is move the margins a little bit.