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Post by PhantomWolf on Jan 13, 2019 13:15:19 GMT -5
Last night, since I couldn't sleep much, I began to think about the advice I've heard/read over the past 46 years regarding "how to load a pipe properly." I reviewed the methods I had tried and the results. I considered the elder pipe smokers who had influenced me. I thought about the minutiae that is discussed ad nauseam here, and elsewhere. Are we overthinking this? These days, I simply take pinches of tobacco, drop them in the bowl. When it's full, I give it a tamp with my thumb, and light up. Works for me. Comments?
Hear Hear. I am of the same opinion.
When I'm in the woods or at camp drinking around a fire, it isn't uncommon for me to dip my pipe in the bag and just scoop it full with a finger to near perfect effect. That being said, I wouldn't likely be smoking a pipe if the Three Bears method had not helped me learn the mechanics of it.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 14, 2019 1:49:37 GMT -5
Sometimes I think there's too much information and advice out there. About packing, lighting, puffing.... My "technique" improved a lot when I stopped thinking about it and just smoked the damn pipe.
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Post by dave g on Jan 14, 2019 4:31:27 GMT -5
My grandfather smoked a pipe from dusk til dawn for over 60 years. There was no talk of PAD and TAD. The only pipe anyone seen was the one he was currently smoking. He kept everything stashed in his study. He would’ve thought all the tips and techniques were silly. I never knew he had so many pipes until I inherited them.
On the flip side, I quite enjoy all the fuss and fiddling that comes with the hobby. It’s part of the relaxation and unwinding experience. I’ve had friends tell me it’s too much work to smoke a pipe, as they huff a cigarette like it’s a chore to be completed expeditiously. They’re missing the point.
Smoking a pipe is as easy or complicated as you want it to be.
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Post by Butch Cassidy on Jan 14, 2019 9:01:29 GMT -5
I usually fill it up over the top a little bit...Then tap and gravity feed and flatten it out....Then another pinch I push down lightly. Usually that's about it. If there's a tiny bit left I'll put that on top and flatten with my thumb ( no pressure ).....I like the pipe to be full...not half full.
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Post by lestrout on Jan 14, 2019 10:24:40 GMT -5
Not to be a contrarian, but what's the bias against supercogitarephobia? (neologism for antipathy to overthinking)? I never puff the same blend or pipe in the same day. So the process of packing and tamping varies considerably, even before indulging in flakes and plugs. Needless to say, the fiddle factor amps up considerably with these.  hp les |
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Post by Cramptholomew on Jan 14, 2019 16:04:19 GMT -5
Sometimes I think there's too much information and advice out there. About packing, lighting, puffing.... My "technique" improved a lot when I stopped thinking about it and just smoked the damn pipe. I agree. This line of thinking applies to a lot of things. Like golf (I used to play ateast once a week, but haven't in years. Kids...): Stop thinking about it and hit the darn ball. I always played better when I kept to that mindset. It works with making pipes too. The more you analyze what you're doing, the more mistakes you make. It's gotta be kind of an organic process. For me, anyway. |
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atison
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First Name: Andy
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Post by atison on Jan 15, 2019 12:07:12 GMT -5
Its funny, I am one of those people that can overthink things easily. When I first picked up a pipe a few years back I think that contributed to it not taking. I have looked at pipe smoking as a regulator on me for many things. Forces me to slow down (in all uses of the phrase). It forces me to look for the subtle nuances. And I have approached it (this time) with a casual mindset of stuff it and light it and relight it if need be.
I also can get caught up in 'gear' but have limited myself to cobs, a bic lighter and a cheap Czech tool. It helps me focus on the flavors of the smoke more.
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Post by Pistol Pete 1911 on Jan 16, 2019 7:47:21 GMT -5
Personally I think we as humans over think everything
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atison
Junior Member
Posts: 189
First Name: Andy
Favorite Pipe: MM Cobs
Favorite Tobacco: Whatever I am smoking at the time
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Post by atison on Jan 16, 2019 16:27:23 GMT -5
Personally I think we as humans over think everything I completely agree.....but its a double edged sword. Did the first caveman who rubbed two pieces of flint together overthink his obsession with rocks? Not to us but I bet another caveman posted your exact reply on the "skins and hides" board on the cave wall.  |
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Post by AJ on Jan 16, 2019 17:21:11 GMT -5
As I’ve grown older, I’ve become less enchanted with the intricacies, rituals, and charms that I once enjoyed loading and smoking my pipe. Now most blends go into a blender to be chopped and ground, then it goes into my squeeze pouch. I squeeze the pouch to fill the bowl, give it a little press with my thumb, and light. Most of the time the tobacco burns ok but if it goes out I have several lighters that will quickly relight the tobacco. I used to fret over having to relight my pipe numerous times, but now I consider it a non issue. I like the taste of my tobaccos. As long as I enjoy that I just don’t care. Maybe getting old and grumpy induces one to simplify. For those that enjoy all the rituals, carry on. You’ll get no argument from me.  AJ |
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