Tried the Spherical Pipe Screens

[InWithBothFeet]

Not the flat ones for the "herb" pipes, but the half spherical ones for tobacco pipes.

They completely and utterly changed the way my pipe smokes. The draw is much much more open to the point that my cadence and how hard I puff doesn't work with them. It's like starting over learning how to smoke. Maybe it's smoking the way it's supposed to if my packing was on point. I'll stick with it for a few weeks and see how it goes.

 

[proteus]

Probably leaves an air gap in the bottom allowing a better draw.

 

[AroEnglish]

Can you post a pic of what you're talking about? I don't know if I've seen these before.

 

[kcghost]

Screens or caps have always been a mystery to me.

 

[yanoJL]

Can you post a pic of what you're talking about? I don't know if I've seen these before.

I'm not the OP, but I think these are the screens...

 

[AJL67]

Probably leaves an air gap in the bottom allowing a better draw.

Yes that's all it is, less tobacco harder to over load the bowl, the works. I tried them for a couple days when i started smoking but then as i read threads about drying the tobacco enough and how to load the bowl, i got the knack for how loading and smoking worked best for me and the screens are in a drawer somewhere now. They are great for beginners!

 

[simong]

They are great for beginners!

And veterans!
And wet smokers!
And poorly drilled pipes!
Alas, up until one of the forums 'respected' members gives the nod, they'll remain an accessory of unimportance and ridicule. FWIW, here in the UK they've been around for over a hundred years!

 

[cosmicfolklore]

We got these new guys shoving all sorts of things in their pipes. Whatever works for you, man.

 

[AJL67]

And veterans!
And wet smokers!
And poorly drilled pipes!
Alas, up until one of the forums 'respected' members gives the nod, they'll remain an accessory of unimportance and ridicule. FWIW, here in the UK they've been around for over a hundred years!

and .. they are great for beginners! but sure all the other stuff you said too lol

 

[AroEnglish]

And veterans!
And wet smokers!
And poorly drilled pipes!
Alas, up until one of the forums 'respected' members gives the nod, they'll remain an accessory of unimportance and ridicule. FWIW, here in the UK they've been around for over a hundred years!

Do you use them regularly? It does seem like you'd be left with less/no dottle by using one of these.

I'm not the OP, but I think these are the screens...

View attachment 308913

Thanks!

 

[InWithBothFeet]

Yes, these are like the ones pictured above. I smoked some 1Q last night and once I toned down my draw the tobacco seemed to smoke more evenly, less tunneling.

As a side note, I was told the 1Q smelled like vanilla ice cream or milk.

 

[pappymac]

i get the same effect (or is it affect) but inserting a pipe cleaner into the bowl while I'm loading it. I just remove the pipe cleaner and it leaves a small air gap under the tobacco.

 

[InWithBothFeet]

The pipe cleaner is affecting the effect. I'll try that tonight.

 

[condorlover1]

I use them courtesy of my friend @simong but they have to be bashed around a bit to fit into the off sized bowls in some of my meerschaums!

 

[woodsroad]

This gives “smoking on the silver screen” a whole new meaning!

 

[LOREN]

I believe the Frank Method of loading the pipe also provides the air gap underneath the tobacco. This method works for me, but I usually won't take the time. Just scoop and stuff with my finger.

 

[anotherbob]

I sometimes get a similar effect with flakes. When I fold and stuff I leave a bit of room at the bottom and it does the same thing. Also seems to help keep more stubborn flakes lit. No clue why but that's my experience.

 

[Piping Abe]

The Air Pocket Packing Method | Smokingpipes.com

Learn how to pack your tobacco pipe using the Air Pocket packing method, popularized by Fred Hanna.

www.smokingpipes.com

 

[InWithBothFeet]

Yea, this provides that air pocket that I can't collapse by packing too hard. The article mentions better flavor and I think that might be on point as after I adapted to it, I got more flavor out of the 1Q than I remember getting before.

 

[Sigmund]

Yes, Mr Frank advocates the use of meer chips. He told me it didn’t appear in early videos because he didn’t know they were readily available in other areas. He also rubs a great pipe shop.