by Buck » Wed Nov 02, 2011 12:38 am
Pipe smoking tips
I am an occasional pipe smoker. I've been smoking a pipe for years, off and on, but I still wouldn't consider myself an expert.
Pipes seem to have gone out of favor with the convenience of cigarettes. I was delightfully surprised to hear about so many of you being interested in one of my favorite relaxation therapy. It's not about the quick fix of nicotine for me. So here is what I've learned.
Carving the pipe itself is an art form, they have competions to come out with the coolest designs. They are then highly sought after by collectors and go for big bucks. There are several big names and more collectible pipes out there. They can be pretty pricey but you don't have to spend a bunch to get started. Some one mentioned the difficulty of finding pipe in tobacco shops these days, and the ones you get in drug store and convienience stores are not thay great. The internet is a great way to find a pipe shop near you or not near you but who ships. There are a bunch of websites and videos on youtube to show you how to pack a pipe and light it. This takes some practice.
Ebay is a great resource for tools and accessories. You can by what we call estate pipes for pretty cheap. Sometimes in big lots. An estate pipe is just a used pipe. One of my favorites is an estate pipe that I found in an antique shop. It's probably older than me. It may sound gross to smoke someone elses pipe but they are easy to sterilize.
How to get started. Find an inexsensive briar pipe. Avoid the ones with the little card board tube filters but you may want the one with a filter of some type. I have a couple with a little metal piece that keeps you from getting bits of tobacco in your stem and mouth. If you're fortunate enough to have a really good tobacco shop close by, they usually have a selection of decent briar pipes ranging from your pick of a bunch from $5 on up. Stay away from painted or laquered pipes. What style should you get? Which ever one that suits your fancy. I started with a small straight stem pipe. I still use it as my knock around pipe. I don't worry about it getting damaged in my saddle bags or in my back pack. I also have a few other styles, one of which was an expensive present from my wife and is reserved for special occasions it all depends on my mood I guess.
At the same time you should pick up some pipe cleaners, a tamper and bowl scraper. These range from as cheap as a nail with a large head and the point end flattened out to gold plate ornate works of art. Next is the tabacco. Again you will have an abundace of choices and blends, I like the an aromatic sometimes and the some times and I keep a supply of basic every day smoke. Pick up a few onces of several different types and find your own favorites, thats half the fun.
Got a light? Traditionally, pipes are lit with wooden matches. Regular lighters can burn the top of the pipes bowl. The same goes with the torch type cigar lighters. They make specially designed pipe lighters and I would sugest you get one eventually, but use what you've got, just be careful of the bowl.
The most important part, enjoy learning and developing your tecnique. I like to smoke a bowl with a fine scotch in the evening and/or in the morning while my coffee is brewing.
"I'd rather die while I'm living than live while I'm dead. "
— Jimmy Buffett