Tobacco for Breaking In

[rmbittner]

tombraider:
I say do whatever you like. Just beware that it usually takes about 3-4 bowlfuls of something to burn away the flavor of the previous blend.
For me, the breaking-in period isn't about anything I'm doing differently with regard to pipe smoking. It has to do with changing my expectations of a particular blend while the pipe is getting broken in. A brand-new, uncaked pipe simply isn't going to taste the same as one that has built up a cake. So I try to cut it some slack in the early going. I am also mindful about not smoking it in the wind and about smoking it particularly slowly. I also keep a watchful eye out for the telltale signs of a burn-out, which, if it's going to happen, is going to happen in the first several bowls. (Burn-out is very rare, but I have had it happen with one pipe -- out of probably 90-100 that I've owned -- and so I'm especially mindful of the possibility now.)
Bob

 

[cortezattic]

According to H&H, L J Heart Burley, and L J Heart Virginia, are blends created for (retired) pipe maker Lannes Johnson to send to his pipe customers. I'm guessing there is something about them that Lannes Johnson preferred as a break-in smoke.
I've only smoked the L J Heart Burley (pretty good), and it is composed of small flecks of leaf that are literally as dry as fish food flakes -- and it smokes better if I don't rehydrate it!
Does anyone know the story behind these two blends? What do they have in common, and why those properties would make them good break-in tobaccos?

 

[cigrmaster]

Tom,

Sorry to resurrect this thread, but I have a follow-up question. Is it necessary to stick with one blend throughout the break-in process or can I switch from burley to english to vaper if I feel like it?

I always dedicate my pipes so I advise people to do it in categories like I do, i.e an English pipe, a Virginia pipe, a Vaper pipe or an aromatic pipe. I think you will find that if you try smoking a Virginia blend out of a pipe that you have smoked English in previously you will not get the best flavors out of your Virginia. I have been doing this since I began smoking a pipe and have had very good results.