What Do You Mean When You Say….

[BronzeAgePiper]

Almost all of the things that have been mentioned I consider standard for a pipe that gets kept in the stable. I’ll reserve another designation for a pipe that seems to bring out the best of almost everything I chuck at it, and that’s a “magic pipe.” Maybe 1 out of 20 deserves that title.

 

[HeadMisfit]

Almost all of the things that have been mentioned I consider standard for a pipe that gets kept in the stable. I’ll reserve another designation for a pipe that seems to bring out the best of almost everything I chuck at it, and that’s a “magic pipe.” Maybe 1 out of 20 deserves that title.

Now a pipe that smokes a blend better then others is a true good thing.

But define better for the tobacco blend

 

[HeadMisfit]

For me it is a pipe that provides the following:
- smooth even draw
- doesn't collect to much moisture
- doesn't get hot in the hand
- is comfortable in the hand and/or clenching
- provides a good flavor of the tobacco
- will smoke all types of tobacco without issue (i.e. ribbon cut, course cut, cake, flake, plug)

Now the material and mechanics of the pipe can only go so far as some of these factors have to do with the smoker. If you're drawing to frequently you can over heat the pipe. If you have a lot of saliva build up that can lead to more moisture or gurgling. How you pack the tobacco can affect the draw as well, so if one is packing the pipe and smoking it correctly, these should be non-factors and lead to a good smoke. If the pipe is a well crafted pipe with good mechanics this can lead to a great smoke.

But smoking in hot vs cold weather will dictate how hot or cold the pipe feels in hand. And dictate how you puff on it

 

[metalheadycigarguy]

But smoking in hot vs cold weather will dictate how hot or cold the pipe feels in hand. And dictate how you puff on it

For those that smoke outside, the elements (i.e. temp., wind, etc.) can play a part in your smoking experience for sure. I don't think the elements dictate how much a person draws on the pipe, that's the person's own choice. I smoke my pipes 90% of the time inside, but on the occasions I smoke outside (nice spring or fall day), I still smoke my pipe the same way. The weather doesn't dictate how frequently I draw on the pipe.

 

[HeadMisfit]

For those that smoke outside, the elements (i.e. temp., wind, etc.) can play a part in your smoking experience for sure. I don't think the elements dictate how much a person draws on the pipe, that's the person's own choice. I smoke my pipes 90% of the time inside, but on the occasions I smoke outside (nice spring or fall day), I still smoke my pipe the same way. The weather doesn't dictate how frequently I draw on the pipe.

Stand in a good 12 sphere wind and draw as you wish. See how the pipe feels

 

[metalheadycigarguy]

Stand in a good 12 sphere wind and draw as you wish. See how the pipe feels

I'm good inside thanks!

If I was to smoke my pipes in the elements/weather, I wouldn't count that towards the pipe being a bad smoker if I was having issues, as certain elements/weather could and/or will impact the smoking experience. My determination of whether a pipe is a good smoker or not is when I'm smoking my pipe in ideal conditions and smoking it properly (i.e. good cadence, good pack, etc.).

 

[hinson]

For me it’s all about the draw. I prefer a slightly constricted draw that can still produce consistent, solid smoke.

 

[RPK]

Draw would be primary but how it feels in hand and how it looks in hand to me would also contribute to a pipe being a good smoker.

 

[Skippy Piper]

For me a pipe being a "good smoker" means that it smokes cool and doesn't get too hot in my hand, smokes dry and doesn't gurgle, and doesn't impart any noticable additional flavors to the tobacco. That's about it really!

 

[Smokeybandit]

I’m fairly new to this, but I must say you’ll know when that happens.

I likened it to a zen peaceful state with each draw, heavenly even.

Then you realize it only happens with one of your pipes with a variety of tobaccos.

 

[anotherbob]

Sometimes my good boys forget they're good boys, and are usually immediately remorseful.
I've never had a pipe do that. I guess maybe I haven't got any good smokers? Most are satisfying, but some less so. So for me a good smoker is one that's not a bad one.

I guess the test is if you drop the pipe while smoking and spill ash and embers, if the pipe looks remorseful it's a good pipe.
I guess what I mean by my comparison is that while there are lots of factors that lead to good and others that negate good. Anything past that is more about how happy they make you. How much you care about it.
A good smoker is a pipe that you love and want to keep and while you might not tell the other pipes, if you had to purge it's staying.

 

[Scottmi]

To me, a good smoker is a great tasting pipe, effortless draw. Dry,not harsh and the tobacco is smooth and creamy. With just about any tobacco.

Wow! Do such pipes exist!? My experience is the load. If I get that right, I have a "good smoker."

 

[Briarcutter]

Wow! Do such pipes exist!?

Sure they do

 

[Papamique]

That it's drilled all the way through. Basically any finished pipe.

Almost all of the things that have been mentioned I consider standard for a pipe that gets kept in the stable. I’ll reserve another designation for a pipe that seems to bring out the best of almost everything I chuck at it, and that’s a “magic pipe.” Maybe 1 out of 20 deserves that title.

@ Duane, I knew you were going to say that! A minimalistic, simple approach. I value that even if I can't replicate it in my own experience.

@BronzeAgePiper, I have spent many greenbacks chasing the "magic pipe" and have found them too! These are the pipes I smoke most often.

Taste of the tobacco is number one for me when I say a pipe is a good smoker. Then all the other things people have mentioned come into play. I understand that some people can't taste a difference between one pipe to another and maybe that's a good thing OR maybe their taste buds are fried. Not sure but...

One thing I do know is when I get a new unsmoked pipe with bare briar in the chamber I am very sensitive to the new briar taste (maybe it is the tannins or other things left in the wood) and it puckers my mouth like a lemon. Almost tart or sour perhaps. It is like it dries my mouth out a bit. It is hard to explain but I hate it. Now when a pipe doesn't do this or it is barely noticeable, in my experience, it will go from good to great and likely to magical (all technical things equal). If it is fairly noticeable in the first 1-3 smokes I have found, for me, that it can go from ok to good and that is it. When I find a pipe that, like a good steak, I get a few draws in and think to myself (and sometimes exclaim outloud!) G** Da** this is good then I will say that is a good smoking pipe!

In order to keep it, of course, it needs to also check other boxes. It seems after reading through all the responses that when I hear/read "its a good smoker" or something similar it could mean many different things to many different people.

 

[Waning Embers]

I knew you were going to say that! A minimalistic, simple approach.

Not really minimalist, I've just never found any pipe more remarkable than another from Missouri Meerschaums to S. Bangs.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I have come to the conclusion (which might change tomorrow) that all things are in transition. I’ve had some pipes that draw great one day, and in remembering that I expect it again, to be disappointed. Then when a pipe pulls out a flavor I like in a blend, in remembering that, it disappoints on the next smoke with the exact same tobacco.
But, I live in non consistency. On whims we are always transitioning between our cabin on top of the Blue Ridge, fluctuating Alabama, and the beach. Altitudes, humidities, temperatures, pressures, my own swinging perceptions, attitudes, states of tiredness… hell, did I clean this pipe? Did it cake microscopicly enough to change airflow just enough…

Nothing stays the same, hell… did this company reduce or change the sauce, did this jar get a little more air, did the pipe dry out enough…

You can never step into the same river twice, and you can never smoke the same bowl twice.

Or, maybe it isn’t.

“This pipe is a good smoker” means something different to each of us that says it, probably each time we say it. I don’t place much value in it when I hear it, while also respecting that the person saying probably means it, even if I have no idea what it means.

It’s all Zen, man. All Zen.

 

[Day2Day]

I have come to the conclusion (which might change tomorrow) that all things are in transition. I’ve had some pipes that draw great one day, and in remembering that I expect it again, to be disappointed. Then when a pipe pulls out a flavor I like in a blend, in remembering that, it disappoints on the next smoke with the exact same tobacco.
But, I live in non consistency. On whims we are always transitioning between our cabin on top of the Blue Ridge, fluctuating Alabama, and the beach. Altitudes, humidities, temperatures, pressures, my own swinging perceptions, attitudes, states of tiredness… hell, did I clean this pipe? Did it cake microscopicly enough to change airflow just enough…

Nothing stays the same, hell… did this company reduce or change the sauce, did this jar get a little more air, did the pipe dry out enough…

You can never step into the same river twice, and you can never smoke the same bowl twice.

Or, maybe it isn’t.

“This pipe is a good smoker” means something different to each of us that says it, probably each time we say it. I don’t place much value in it when I hear it, while also respecting that the person saying probably means it, even if I have no idea what it means.

It’s all Zen, man. All Zen.

I agree 100%. Usually when I say this pipe is a good smoker it's because I like smoking that pipe. The one I choose to smoke tomorrow may or may not be my next good smoker. Actually, I only have a couple that I really don't like smoking, the rest are all "Good Smokers".

 

[OverMountain]

I’ve got some nice and even costly pipes but my Grabows are the more often than not “good smokers”!!

Also, love my Peterson 317 “lunt-master 5000”

 

[OverMountain]

I have come to the conclusion (which might change tomorrow) that all things are in transition. I’ve had some pipes that draw great one day, and in remembering that I expect it again, to be disappointed. Then when a pipe pulls out a flavor I like in a blend, in remembering that, it disappoints on the next smoke with the exact same tobacco.
But, I live in non consistency. On whims we are always transitioning between our cabin on top of the Blue Ridge, fluctuating Alabama, and the beach. Altitudes, humidities, temperatures, pressures, my own swinging perceptions, attitudes, states of tiredness… hell, did I clean this pipe? Did it cake microscopicly enough to change airflow just enough…

Nothing stays the same, hell… did this company reduce or change the sauce, did this jar get a little more air, did the pipe dry out enough…

You can never step into the same river twice, and you can never smoke the same bowl twice.

Or, maybe it isn’t.

“This pipe is a good smoker” means something different to each of us that says it, probably each time we say it. I don’t place much value in it when I hear it, while also respecting that the person saying probably means it, even if I have no idea what it means.

It’s all Zen, man. All Zen.

Well said. It is impossible to control for all variables. My most consistent experience is SWRA dried for about 5 to 10 minutes in a Grabow. Pretty much a strike every pitch.

 

[tartanphantom]

In general, if it’s not a pipe that I avoid, then it’s a good smoker. All of the factors previously mentioned by others here do come into play, but there are indeed pipes in my collection that I avoid, despite their uniqueness or eye pleasing appearance.
If a pipe tends to be a wet smoker regardless of what I put in it, or if it has a rather obstinate draw no matter how much I clean or ream the draft, it will fall into the “skip it for now” category and generally not get as much attention.
Fortunately, I don’t have many that fall under that description, except perhaps a few novelty pipes and a couple of “basket pipes.”