Hi all!
I'm currently searching for a good pipe lighter. You might wonder what this has to do with the subject, but we'll get into that. I decided on the best lighter for my use, but then, actually after making my decision, I googled The best pipe lighter for blind pipe smoker. I found a thread on this forum.
First time ever I was a bit disappointed for the answers on this forum. There were good answers too, and I don't mean to be rude or any way agressive, but the answers that blindpiper777 got generally weren't very encouraging (not pointing to anyone). Of course I understand that it's hard to imagine doing complicated things without seeing - even simple things, apparently - but there we need either deep understanding or vivid imagination. I'm afraid it's too late to help blindpiper777 on the topic. I hope he's still smoking happily. But in case anyone will search for help about smoking pipe as a blind person, I decided he must have a little more couraging things to read.
I'm my self visually impaired - in medical terms blind - but I can see a little bit. I have been smoking pipe something like five years now, and though being quite newbie still, I have some tips that might be helpful. I also hope that folks in general would read this, and if asked, they can then give good adwice as well. And of course, this might increase the level of understanding towards blind people, and narrow the gap between those who can and cannot see.
One last thing. Someone thought - or had read - that the pleasure of smoking a pipe would decrease because of blindness. Of course I can't compare, but likely it suffices to say that I have spent so many euphoric moments smoking that I must really heavily disagree on my part. And even if it would, what does it matter, really? Would you stop smoking, if you became blind? That's what I thought...
And now to the real thing!
Basically there is just one main issue when smoking, if you are blind. That's lighting the pipe, and funnily enough, it is solved quite easily, though you need to make some concessions. Let's first get over packing and cleaning, because they have much less to tell about.
Packing a pipe is as simple as it is with a good vision: that is a bit tricky, but it comes with practice. It has more to do with feeling the tightness than seeing it, so just follow good packing instructions, which can be found easily in various places.
Same goes for cleaning the pipe. Just follow the instructions. I was myself a bit worried of my first briar; what if I wouldn't notice the amount of cace, and what if it got too big nad cracked my bowl? It didn't. It didn't take too much to find out that the bowl had narrowed, and when my finger started to scratch walls when I dipped it in, I made a good cleaning. Anyway, that's not a problem, I think.
The lighting part, then. I have rejected the matches without even trying - that's my concession. I guess I could use them, but would likely to burn either my fingers or the rim of the pipe, neither of which attracts me. I have used Colt lighter, and a couple of cheap pipe lighters as well. The main thing is that the lighting is easy, if you have a lighter that you can use with one hand, and keep it just in one place when litting. After putting pipe into my mouth, I just locate the lighter just over the bowl, lit and draw, and smoke happily. Never have I scarred the rims of my pipes. My thumb, though, has gotten a couple of stings... Anyway, the lighters that need to be lit and then put over the pipe are tricky, so you will make yourself big favour by avoiding them, unless you are very skilled and want to challenge yourself.
It is impossible to not notice if your pipe has gone out. If you draw and don't get any smoke, it is time do either tamp gently or relight - that's what I do, anyway. Then just go on puffing.
I hope this will be help to anyone who next will search for help. If this isn't welcome here, I trust moderators will remove it, not me. :D
Happy smoking to everyone! And remember: even if you can't see something, such as smoke coming out from your pipe, doesn't mean it wouldn't be there...
I'm currently searching for a good pipe lighter. You might wonder what this has to do with the subject, but we'll get into that. I decided on the best lighter for my use, but then, actually after making my decision, I googled The best pipe lighter for blind pipe smoker. I found a thread on this forum.
Questions from a blind newbie :: Pipe Smoking Basics & Beginner Questions
Hi. I'm blind. I would like to start smoking a pipe. I have a few questions, however. 1) Is it possible for blind people to smoke a pipe and enjoy it? 2) What is the safest way to light a pipe without vision? 3) What's the easiest way to pack a pipe? and 4) Are there any tobaccos you can...
pipesmagazine.com
I'm my self visually impaired - in medical terms blind - but I can see a little bit. I have been smoking pipe something like five years now, and though being quite newbie still, I have some tips that might be helpful. I also hope that folks in general would read this, and if asked, they can then give good adwice as well. And of course, this might increase the level of understanding towards blind people, and narrow the gap between those who can and cannot see.
One last thing. Someone thought - or had read - that the pleasure of smoking a pipe would decrease because of blindness. Of course I can't compare, but likely it suffices to say that I have spent so many euphoric moments smoking that I must really heavily disagree on my part. And even if it would, what does it matter, really? Would you stop smoking, if you became blind? That's what I thought...
And now to the real thing!
Basically there is just one main issue when smoking, if you are blind. That's lighting the pipe, and funnily enough, it is solved quite easily, though you need to make some concessions. Let's first get over packing and cleaning, because they have much less to tell about.
Packing a pipe is as simple as it is with a good vision: that is a bit tricky, but it comes with practice. It has more to do with feeling the tightness than seeing it, so just follow good packing instructions, which can be found easily in various places.
Same goes for cleaning the pipe. Just follow the instructions. I was myself a bit worried of my first briar; what if I wouldn't notice the amount of cace, and what if it got too big nad cracked my bowl? It didn't. It didn't take too much to find out that the bowl had narrowed, and when my finger started to scratch walls when I dipped it in, I made a good cleaning. Anyway, that's not a problem, I think.
The lighting part, then. I have rejected the matches without even trying - that's my concession. I guess I could use them, but would likely to burn either my fingers or the rim of the pipe, neither of which attracts me. I have used Colt lighter, and a couple of cheap pipe lighters as well. The main thing is that the lighting is easy, if you have a lighter that you can use with one hand, and keep it just in one place when litting. After putting pipe into my mouth, I just locate the lighter just over the bowl, lit and draw, and smoke happily. Never have I scarred the rims of my pipes. My thumb, though, has gotten a couple of stings... Anyway, the lighters that need to be lit and then put over the pipe are tricky, so you will make yourself big favour by avoiding them, unless you are very skilled and want to challenge yourself.
It is impossible to not notice if your pipe has gone out. If you draw and don't get any smoke, it is time do either tamp gently or relight - that's what I do, anyway. Then just go on puffing.
I hope this will be help to anyone who next will search for help. If this isn't welcome here, I trust moderators will remove it, not me. :D
Happy smoking to everyone! And remember: even if you can't see something, such as smoke coming out from your pipe, doesn't mean it wouldn't be there...