What makes a good pipe? / my first pipe!
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Congratulations Steve!
What makes a good pipe? A good tobacco. (I'll let someone else discuss the pipe's geometry, etc.)
What makes it smoke better? You do, by caring for it, packing it properly, and striving to improve your technique with each smoke.
I hope that cutie brings a lifetime of comfort and pleasure. Enjoy!
ps. Check out Russ Ouellette's Theory of Pipe Break-in for starters. Then scroll to the bottom-left of this page to browse Bob Tate's articles here at PM.com
What makes a good pipe? A good tobacco. (I'll let someone else discuss the pipe's geometry, etc.)
What makes it smoke better? You do, by caring for it, packing it properly, and striving to improve your technique with each smoke.
I hope that cutie brings a lifetime of comfort and pleasure. Enjoy!
ps. Check out Russ Ouellette's Theory of Pipe Break-in for starters. Then scroll to the bottom-left of this page to browse Bob Tate's articles here at PM.com
Exactly what Chuck said. I have Dr Grabows that smoke very well and a Dunghill that stays in the rack .
A good pipe will be well made, whether it's $30 or $10,000 as chuck says. You'll find the bit fits flush, has a good draw, you can slide a flffy pipe cleaner down it. It will also be comfortable. Not too thick as to be chunky and not so thin you can easily bite through it. As you smoke it, the briar will pass the heat evenly so as not to cause hot spots. The airway will be centered at the very bottom of the bowl. And overall, it will smoke well for you.
arthur, send me that dunhill.
arthur, send me that dunhill.
I got a Peterson Donegal as a bonus when I bought a zippo and this has now turned into a really good smoker, much better than some more expensive ones I have. I like a big bowl, it has to have a good draw to it and feel comfortable in my hand. And also, thick walls of the bowl so it doesn't feel too hot.
Oh, pipe philosophy!!! what makes a good pipe? good quality briar at the first and foremost. careful smoking for the first 12 or 15 times (and careful smoking afterwards too, of course!). careful handling and cleaning.
I have some very good ones, some good ones and a couple of mediocre ones (for example gifts from the family "because it looked nice") that tend to get hot very easy.
I have some very good ones, some good ones and a couple of mediocre ones (for example gifts from the family "because it looked nice") that tend to get hot very easy.
Arthur and Haunted are both right.
It's a pipe and that makes it special.
But, this is your first pipe.... and that makes it very special.
I still have and enjoy my first pipe... I bought it about 35 years ago.
While it isn't a "basket" pipe it certainly isn't a Cavicchi.
It's just a pipe and it'll be in my pocket along with a roll-up of 1Q, box of matches, a tamper and some cleaners when they through dirt in my face many years from now.
Who says you can't take it with you.
Welcome to the fraternity!
Congrats on the pipe, hellar.
Just look at the pictures of my pipes threads and you'll realize that everybody has their own ideas of what pipes they let into their own collections. The basics are constant: good briar (or meerschaum!), holes that line up and a shape/size/bit that suits the owner's habits. After that, it's as individual as the smoker. Some people fixate on a certain style (fancy a bulldog, cortez?) while others might prefer a bent or a straight and then have a variety of shapes. Some just like what they like.
Getting back to the question, one of the reason that I prefer bents is... it lets me see what's going on in the bowl better and that leads to a better smoke for me. But that could just be my relative inexperience. Doesn't take much: even my 1/4 bent Brigham is easier for me to smoke than my straight Stanwell.
Simon
Just look at the pictures of my pipes threads and you'll realize that everybody has their own ideas of what pipes they let into their own collections. The basics are constant: good briar (or meerschaum!), holes that line up and a shape/size/bit that suits the owner's habits. After that, it's as individual as the smoker. Some people fixate on a certain style (fancy a bulldog, cortez?) while others might prefer a bent or a straight and then have a variety of shapes. Some just like what they like.
Getting back to the question, one of the reason that I prefer bents is... it lets me see what's going on in the bowl better and that leads to a better smoke for me. But that could just be my relative inexperience. Doesn't take much: even my 1/4 bent Brigham is easier for me to smoke than my straight Stanwell.
Simon
It's like asking 'what makes a good dog' or 'what makes a good car'. There will always be a few generally accepted basics, but the true beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Find a pipe that seems to resonate with your personality and make it part of the collection. Years from now, friends may leave you or pass away. That pipe will still be there patiently waiting for it's turn in the rotation.
I must agree with all here, that it does not matter the Price you paid rather that you like it and it smokes good.
My Wife a couple of years ago bought me a really nice Pipe for Christmas and it was not cheap, it smoked well, I did notice that the bowl would tend to get hot and sure enough it cracked, it broke right along the grain. I still have it but can no longer smoke it.
I also have very cheap Garbo's that smoke great and have been through the wringer with me, so I believe that price is not the issue, its what you like.
My Wife a couple of years ago bought me a really nice Pipe for Christmas and it was not cheap, it smoked well, I did notice that the bowl would tend to get hot and sure enough it cracked, it broke right along the grain. I still have it but can no longer smoke it.
I also have very cheap Garbo's that smoke great and have been through the wringer with me, so I believe that price is not the issue, its what you like.
cortezattic wrote
here is the turn around
r. d. field
what makes a good briar pipe
thanks for linking that article about how to break in and get that new pipe - er - how to break in that new pipe
here is the turn around
r. d. field
what makes a good briar pipe
i have a new pipe coming in today and another one tomorrow
my first new pipe after getting a no name cheap plastic tip briar is a Graco Safari
can't find much out about it but my second one is a savenelli unfinished dublin
in a previous article i show the picture and i am asking about the grain pattern in subsequent postings
i am trying to find out if someone can tell me what grain pattern is in this pipe
it doesn't match any definition that i have read about
i don't think i have seen any other ones with a pattern like this and i don't know if it is bad or good
my first new pipe after getting a no name cheap plastic tip briar is a Graco Safari
can't find much out about it but my second one is a savenelli unfinished dublin
in a previous article i show the picture and i am asking about the grain pattern in subsequent postings
i am trying to find out if someone can tell me what grain pattern is in this pipe
it doesn't match any definition that i have read about
i don't think i have seen any other ones with a pattern like this and i don't know if it is bad or good
my pipe came in and i found out what makes a bad pipe
i had a problem getting the pics to show but i got them put on later in the thread
i had a problem getting the pics to show but i got them put on later in the thread
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