Pipe smoking, a lost art.

[Dan]

Just bought myself this beauty. I'll have to wait an entire week to smoke it! The struggle is real folks.

That is a beautiful pipe! Patience is key. You'll have this pipe forever. Cheers!

 

[BrewinHooligan]

If you are a fan of perique heavy Va/Per blends I suggest trying this one. This one just was bombed to me today with two other tins of tobacco from a generous brother on Botl.org. I'm pairing it with some Pennelton whiskey and it's delicious.
View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1445909161.279520.jpg

 

[Ace_Club]

Anybody here ever tried the Esoterica tobaccos? If so, which one(s), and what did you think?

 

[TowsonTiger22]

Been having issues with keep my pipe lit. I've tried the three layer method, with no luck. May try the frank method. Any suggestions?

 

[BrewinHooligan]

Anybody here ever tried the Esoterica tobaccos? If so, which one(s), and what did you think?

I have had aged Penzance and Margate. Both very tasty but I personally don't feel they are worth the hype and cost.

Been having issues with keep my pipe lit. I've tried the three layer method, with no luck. May try the frank method. Any suggestions?

Try the frank method. Don't make it too difficult and don't pack too tight. Also, don't stress re-lights. It's all just part of the experience.

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

Been having issues with keep my pipe lit. I've tried the three layer method, with no luck. May try the frank method. Any suggestions?

Fill it, light it, tamp it, light it again, enjoy.

 

[GuldTuborg]

Anybody here ever tried the Esoterica tobaccos? If so, which one(s), and what did you think?

Lots of good stuff in the Esoterica line, but I don't think they're quite what they used to be. Germain has lost its edge a bit. Plus, supply has been low enough to make it tough to find any. Not saying their baccy is bad, just not epic stuff like it used to be.

What styles do you like? There's a good bit of breadth to the Esoterica line.

 

[Shooter]

Don't make it too difficult and don't pack too tight. Also, don't stress re-lights. It's all just part of the experience.

This!

Over the years I've just gotten to know what feels right when packing. I would rather have things a little too loose and tamp as I go, a tamper is essential, and re-light when necessary. Being able to damp with your fingers over the bowl to get the thing going again is also useful, cuts down relights tremendously.

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

This!

Over the years I've just gotten to know what feels right when packing. I would rather have things a little too loose and tamp as I go, a tamper is essential, and re-light when necessary. Being able to damp with your fingers over the bowl to get the thing going again is also useful, cuts down relights tremendously.

Ayup. Also very lightly blowing through the stem can help to restoke.

And finally, pay attention to the moisture content of the tobacco. Sometimes, while not often, it is just too moist coming out if the tin and will not stay lit worth a damn.

 

[AQUILAS]

I'm sure some of you have heard of Dagner pipes. Jayson has become a friend of mine over the past year and they're on the west coast for a few weeks. They stopped by Sacramento and I had a chance to skate with him for a few hours. We've been planning this skate session for a year now. Afterwards, we spent a few more hours at Briar Patch and met up with other pipe smokers.

 

[Shooter]

One thing I have never tried is skating and piping at the same time, usually one or the other. Some of the Dagner designs do look nice.

 

[AQUILAS]

One thing I have never tried is skating and piping at the same time, usually one or the other. Some of the Dagner designs do look nice.

Haha yeah that'd be tough to do, glad we didn't do it that way!

 

[BrewinHooligan]

I'm sure some of you have heard of Dagner pipes. Jayson has become a friend of mine over the past year and they're on the west coast for a few weeks. They stopped by Sacramento and I had a chance to skate with him for a few hours. We've been planning this skate session for a year now. Afterwards, we spent a few more hours at Briar Patch and met up with other pipe smokers.

So much win!! I am super jealous.

 

[BrewinHooligan]

Enjoying some 2011 Dunhill Flake. So good
View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1446245965.312582.jpg

 

[Scratchy]

Been smoking my grandfathers old briar pipe that I found for a year now. don't know much bout pipe smoking just learning as I go. As far as the relighting goes, since I mainly hold the pipe in my mouth most of the time my breath naturally exhaled and caught through the pipe keeps mine lit while not puffing and the smoke from doing it that way is very minimal. And torch lighters keep the pain of any relights negligible.

 

[Scratchy]

Oh, and Jayson's beard is awesome, mines a only 8" now but if mine will grow that long I will be doing the braides thing also. Here lately I have noticed it's just the right length to scrap the gravy off the tators if ur not carefull.

 

[tennesseean_87]

Anybody here ever tried the Esoterica tobaccos? If so, which one(s), and what did you think?

I've had Penzance and Dorchester. Both are good. I need to give the Penzance a more thorough try. It's old stuff (2009).

 

[BrewinHooligan]

Finally cracked a tin of GLP Haddo's Delight that was about ready to burst. Found the tobacco was starting to bloom nicely and smelled amazing. Packed a bowl straight away. It lit easy and burned well. Very tasty. I have heard this is better fresh and can't compare, but this one is near the top of my list as is.
View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1446597875.784363.jpg

 

[paperairplane]

Here's some random tobacco thoughts... I buy mostly tins.

My go to, favorite and standby is Balkan Sasieni. Enough Latakia and Oriental to keep it interesting, but doesn't just taste like a campfire.

I am also a big Dunhill fan - Early Morning Pipe, My Mixture 965 and Nightcap. All just beautiful, traditional UK tobacco.

Escudo Navy Deluxe - the king of the VaPers, magical little coins of awesomeness. Hard to find, not cheap, worth it.

C&D Cube Cut Burley - get a corn cob, dump it full of these little cubes and light up. Simple, straight forward, quality Burley. It's a one trick pony, but it's a good trick.

SG 1792 Flake - nearly as strong as Brown Bogie (nicotine champ), super interesting aroma from tonquin case. This is a nice, pressed flake. You want an occasional change of pace - this is one of the most unique tobaccos out there in my book.

Peter Stokebye - I buy the Deluxe Navy Flake and Luxury Twist Flake in bulk. Both are really great Va tobacco for the price. Get a pipe with a small bowl and smoke them gently, well worth the effort.

Happy pipe smoking!

 

[Ace_Club]

Here's some random tobacco thoughts... I buy mostly tins.



My go to, favorite and standby is Balkan Sasieni. Enough Latakia and Oriental to keep it interesting, but doesn't just taste like a campfire.



I am also a big Dunhill fan - Early Morning Pipe, My Mixture 965 and Nightcap. All just beautiful, traditional UK tobacco.



Escudo Navy Deluxe - the king of the VaPers, magical little coins of awesomeness. Hard to find, not cheap, worth it.



C&D Cube Cut Burley - get a corn cob, dump it full of these little cubes and light up. Simple, straight forward, quality Burley. It's a one trick pony, but it's a good trick.



SG 1792 Flake - nearly as strong as Brown Bogie (nicotine champ), super interesting aroma from tonquin case. This is a nice, pressed flake. You want an occasional change of pace - this is one of the most unique tobaccos out there in my book.



Peter Stokebye - I buy the Deluxe Navy Flake and Luxury Twist Flake in bulk. Both are really great Va tobacco for the price. Get a pipe with a small bowl and smoke them gently, well worth the effort.



Happy pipe smoking!

Thanks, this was quite helpful.

 

[TheCADJockey]

I'm going to sub to this.. after 10 years smoking cigarettes, I am almost completely free of them. Now when I am struggling, fighting with myself to resist picking up a pack of smokes, I pack a pipe. My Navy buddy got into it a year ago and had an extra pipe he got as some deal at our tobacconist, so he gave it to me. I know nothing about it, have a hard time keeping it lit or getting solid smoke out of it, but it is enough pain in the ass that it gets my mind of cigs and is a nice reward. I'll be much more happy if I figure out how to enjoy it properly. Some of my best memories are sitting on the porch with my grandfather, watching a lightning storm roll in while he smoked his pipe. I have no idea what he smoked, but some day if I find it, I'm sure I'll know.

One of these days, I'll throw a picture up of the pipe I was gifted. I'm sure it is nothing special, most likely cheap as I think they gave it to him for buying a few bags of tobacco. He gave me a tool for scraping and pressing but I definitely know I have to get some pipe cleaners and figure out how to store it. As far as what I'm smoking, I picked up a bag of Viking Gold I think it was called. I had no idea what to look for and just picked something that didn't sound crazy. Any tips welcome.. enjoy seeing your pictures.

 

[PlexVector]

Been having issues with keep my pipe lit. I've tried the three layer method, with no luck. May try the frank method. Any suggestions?

I've found that the shape of the bowl effects the degree of tamp when loading, so you have to figure that out for each of your pipes. Always do a false light, and use a stick match while waving it back and forth across the top of the bowl.

As said earlier a little back puff once in a while (like your trying to unstick a stuck mash), and may be too moist.

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

I'm going to sub to this.. after 10 years smoking cigarettes, I am almost completely free of them. Now when I am struggling, fighting with myself to resist picking up a pack of smokes, I pack a pipe. My Navy buddy got into it a year ago and had an extra pipe he got as some deal at our tobacconist, so he gave it to me. I know nothing about it, have a hard time keeping it lit or getting solid smoke out of it, but it is enough pain in the ass that it gets my mind of cigs and is a nice reward. I'll be much more happy if I figure out how to enjoy it properly. Some of my best memories are sitting on the porch with my grandfather, watching a lightning storm roll in while he smoked his pipe. I have no idea what he smoked, but some day if I find it, I'm sure I'll know.

One of these days, I'll throw a picture up of the pipe I was gifted. I'm sure it is nothing special, most likely cheap as I think they gave it to him for buying a few bags of tobacco. He gave me a tool for scraping and pressing but I definitely know I have to get some pipe cleaners and figure out how to store it. As far as what I'm smoking, I picked up a bag of Viking Gold I think it was called. I had no idea what to look for and just picked something that didn't sound crazy. Any tips welcome.. enjoy seeing your pictures.

The tool, is often times referred to as a "nail" or sometimes a "3-n-1". Nail is just that, a spoon on one end, nail head on the other. "3-n-1" includes a poker.

DO NOT scrape! Think of your pipe like the shell of a hard boiled egg and the nail as a spoon. When clearing out the draff you only want to lightly scoop out the meaty bits leaving the shell intact. same goes for the bowl of the pipe.

With each smoke there is a phenomenon called "cake". This seasons your pipe, protects the wood, and insulates the bowl. When you scrape, you remove cake. And cake is slow to make. Scoop out like an egg and no issue.

The poker on a 3-n-1 can be useful for loosening up a too tightly packed bowl or clearing anything packed into the outlet holes when pipe cleaners aren't handy.

As far as tobacco, start out by buying small volumes (tins or a by the ounce) until you find something you like. When you find something you like dig into it's specs. (tobacco type, cased or not, etc..) to get a bead on what characters you enjoy most.

 

[TheCADJockey]

As far as tobacco, start out by buying small volumes (tins or a by the ounce) until you find something you like. When you find something you like dig into it's specs. (tobacco type, cased or not, etc..) to get a bead on what characters you enjoy most.

Thanks man! The 3-in-1 for sure, I wasn't really scraping anything. I would just run the spoon around the bowl to relieve excess when I was done and the other one to press. I wasn't really using the nail yet. I had actually used matches to light and then I'd use a dead match halfway through to break it up a bit for one more light. Appreciate the tip on not to scrape, I probably would've eventually. I just wasn't doing much to it yet since I've only packed it 3-4 times probably. The first time was too loose, second too tight and the last two weren't bad at all. I think I'm getting a little better.

My friend makes it look so easy. He gets big puffy pulls of smoke and just looks smooth. Meanwhile I sit there struggling, likely staring at it cross-eyed trying to figure out wtf is wrong with it. Some day. I was just picking up little 2 ounce bags to try though. I'd like to find a tin or two to play with. Might be time to get back down there.

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

Thanks man! The 3-in-1 for sure, I wasn't really scraping anything. I would just run the spoon around the bowl to relieve excess when I was done and the other one to press. I wasn't really using the nail yet. I had actually used matches to light and then I'd use a dead match halfway through to break it up a bit for one more light. Appreciate the tip on not to scrape, I probably would've eventually. I just wasn't doing much to it yet since I've only packed it 3-4 times probably. The first time was too loose, second too tight and the last two weren't bad at all. I think I'm getting a little better.

My friend makes it look so easy. He gets big puffy pulls of smoke and just looks smooth. Meanwhile I sit there struggling, likely staring at it cross-eyed trying to figure out wtf is wrong with it. Some day. I was just picking up little 2 ounce bags to try though. I'd like to find a tin or two to play with. Might be time to get back down there.

Packing a pipe is tricky. Too loose and it burns too hot, too tight and you hyper-ventilate. And worse, it varies by tobacco. It's moisture and cut make a difference on how easily it packs.

My method is to sprinkle tobacco into the bowl until it's filled, then I grab a nice 3 finger pinch and roll it into the bowl with my thumbs being careful not to press my thumbs down into the bowl.

I bought a zippo for lighting pipes.

I do most all of my smoking outdoors and just found matches to be a PITA.

Anyway, after the bowl is packed I give it a light to char the top and heat up the tobacco. Then I use the nail to tamp it down until the draw on the pipe is comfortable to me. Then I relight and smoke until I've had my fill or the flavor starts to go off at the bottom of the bowl.

Periodically I tamp the bowl down with the nail to keep the draw consistent through the bowl.

When done, I set the pipe aside and let the tobacco burn itself out and let the pipe cool down naturally before I do anything to it. A hot pipe is easy to damage.

As for storing tobacco, I use dual zip ziplock baggies and a tote.

 

[TheCADJockey]

When done, I set the pipe aside and let the tobacco burn itself out and let the pipe cool down naturally before I do anything to it. A hot pipe is easy to damage.

As for storing tobacco, I use dual zip ziplock baggies and a tote.

This helps a lot. It just doesn't feel comfortable to me yet and I was unsure what the nail was for so I may have to read this a few times and try it that way. I store it the same way I stored my cigars, in a tupperware container, in ziploc with a little piece of cedar. Just.. because I was unsure. I'm definitely having moisture problems I think. Sometimes I concentrate so much I end up getting it too moist. Quite excited though, it's a nice hobby and wife doesn't mind it at all compared to cigarettes.

 

[Wolfbayne]

Great discussions. There are many of nights out on the front porch with friends and homebrew enjoying my pipe.

We need more traditions back in our lives and stop being so technologically dependent. Everyone has their face in a phone reading pintrest or FB. Put down the devices, light up a pipe and enjoy family/friends in real conversations.

 

[BrewinHooligan]

Thanks man! The 3-in-1 for sure, I wasn't really scraping anything. I would just run the spoon around the bowl to relieve excess when I was done and the other one to press. I wasn't really using the nail yet. I had actually used matches to light and then I'd use a dead match halfway through to break it up a bit for one more light. Appreciate the tip on not to scrape, I probably would've eventually. I just wasn't doing much to it yet since I've only packed it 3-4 times probably. The first time was too loose, second too tight and the last two weren't bad at all. I think I'm getting a little better.



My friend makes it look so easy. He gets big puffy pulls of smoke and just looks smooth. Meanwhile I sit there struggling, likely staring at it cross-eyed trying to figure out wtf is wrong with it. Some day. I was just picking up little 2 ounce bags to try though. I'd like to find a tin or two to play with. Might be time to get back down there.

Awesome to see you poking around in here. I rarely get big clouds of smoke like your friend and if I do, I'm usually getting tongue bite from rushing things. The pipe is much different from cigars or cigarettes like that. I'm not sure about where you live, but here anything bought in a shop is way more expensive than I can get online. Pipesandcigars.com has a massive selection of bulk tobacco you can order as little as 1oz of with reasonable prices. Buy a bunch of different things to try, the following are all available in bulk at P&C: Seattle Pipe Club Mississippi River is a must try English blend in my opinion as well as lots of other pipers. McClelland 5100 Red Cake is a straight red Virginia that is pretty mild and easygoing and actually used as a base for lots of blends but is good all alone. Any and all Peter Stokkebye flakes are tasty, they require a little more effort and patience but it's worth it. The cube cut burley mentioned before is also a good option to see if you like burley tobacco. Don't stress relights, a loose bowl can always be tamped down, while a tight packed bowl usually needs to be dumped and re-done. Most of all, just enjoy it. Sip the smoke, don't try to look like a steam engine and you will enjoy it more. Also, while expelling the smoke close your mouth and blow through your nose. You will pick up more subtle flavors that way.

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

Here's some random tobacco thoughts... I buy mostly tins.

My go to, favorite and standby is Balkan Sasieni. Enough Latakia and Oriental to keep it interesting, but doesn't just taste like a campfire.

I am also a big Dunhill fan - Early Morning Pipe, My Mixture 965 and Nightcap. All just beautiful, traditional UK tobacco.

Escudo Navy Deluxe - the king of the VaPers, magical little coins of awesomeness. Hard to find, not cheap, worth it.

C&D Cube Cut Burley - get a corn cob, dump it full of these little cubes and light up. Simple, straight forward, quality Burley. It's a one trick pony, but it's a good trick.

SG 1792 Flake - nearly as strong as Brown Bogie (nicotine champ), super interesting aroma from tonquin case. This is a nice, pressed flake. You want an occasional change of pace - this is one of the most unique tobaccos out there in my book.

Peter Stokebye - I buy the Deluxe Navy Flake and Luxury Twist Flake in bulk. Both are really great Va tobacco for the price. Get a pipe with a small bowl and smoke them gently, well worth the effort.

Happy pipe smoking!

Pipes and Cigar has the Escudo Navy Flake, 1,76Oz tins, $8.75 ea.

 

[TheCADJockey]

You will pick up more subtle flavors that way.

Hah, I definitely make sure I enjoy it. After smoking a pack or two a week, when I get out the pipe I make sure I get my fill even if I have to French-inhale here and there. I'm not so much worried about getting a ton of smoke, it is just frustrating when it doesn't light well. Maybe what I have is too moist? Maybe I'm drooling. Who knows. Going to keep working on it, he just makes it look chill and it takes me a lot of effort.

Does quality of pipe make a massive difference? I'm assuming the one he gave me is a $10-$20 piece as opposed to his $100 pipe.