What makes a good smoker?

I want to suppose that it is you, or ourselves that makes a good smoker! From there I feel like it's just variables of quality, style, and preference to the one who is smoking. That said, I'm on the path of discovery too when it comes to all things pipe, and I look forward to seeing any veteran responses to this thread.

If you like the pipe, it's a good smoker. None of my pipes is inherently better at producing a good smoke and none are bad, unless they need cleaning. I like larger chambers for flake tobacco when I don't rub it out. Beyond that, I grab whatever pipe catches my fancy at the moment.

A major contributor is good drilling, centered on the bowl, and smooth with no ridges in the draft hole right to the button. And, the optimal diameter of drilling, which I think is 5/32 inch from the shank to the beginning of the taper in the stem. Having said that, if the briar isn't well aged and dry from a good supplier, it'll taste flat. All of the above smokes anything well. Unless of course ya smoke a gooper in it 

I'm so fascinated with Morta. The pipe is old even when it's new! I WILL get one someday...

For the sake of looking at this the other way, What at makes them "dogs" in your opinion, is it purely mechanics that makes a "bad" smoker? Age I get, as wood has its curing rates and conditions, but to what degree are the mechanics of a pipe NOT able to be modified?

   The mechanics and well aged briar makes all the difference. I have a few “ high end “ pipes where the draft is far off center in the bowl. A few where the draft is dead center but to far above the bottom of the chamber. I own a Radice that I opened the draft to 5/32”, was to restricted from the maker. ALL the mechanics were perfect, but the draft size did not suit my liking for sure. It’s now an excellent smoker, like a Radice should be👍

All of my pipes smoke a little different and I've learned how each one smokes. Good to me depends on what I'm smoking. With english blends I like a very open draw. Virginia's I like more restricted, but not too much. Aros, somewhere in between. Good or bad to me is comparable to selecting blends, and cuts, for each pipe.

I have one pipe that will not burn right regardless of how I pack it. The front will never burn unless I constantly mess with it. It is a BAD smoker and it's found its place in a box in my desk. I have another that will not stay lit regardless of cadence... it has also found a coffin. If I have to constantly think about, and fiddle with what I'm smoking, it's bad.

There are a few that smoke perfect to me with anything I put in them. I like to pack a pipe, light it, only have to tamp or occasionally relight, and sometimes run a pipe cleaner through it for moisture. Too much playing with it makes it more of a chore.

I have 2 that the drilling is off. One smokes good, one bad

My 2 Briar Spirit pipes, my Grabow Freehand and my Bones pipe are the first 4 that come to mind when I think of a "good smoker."

Cobs... I havent ran into a bad one

Effortless to get a good smoke.

Definitely ^^^^^^^^^^ 5/32” is the biggest diameter for a perfect draft hole👍

I've been using 3/16, which is 1/32 bigger. That works fine too, I wouldn't go any bigger, though.

Well, I think it’s a matter of preference. Some people like a vertical smoker whereas I prefer a nice size horizontal with an offset firebox…oh, wait you were talking pipes.

I don’t have an answer when it comes to pipes as I am still gaining experience. What I can tell you is that there is a true science to making pipes and making them well. There are so many ways that a pipe’s function could be diminished like poor drilling of the chamber, stem or shank, poor cleaning.

What I have found is that if you pack the bowl with about ¼ less than you think you need for a full bowl and pack it down less it will burn more cleanly, evenly and with less relights. I would rather pack half a bowl and go for a second of the same then overpack and be unhappy with the smoke.

Your mileage may vary.

ExChef

...now, here is reliable advice... if it smokes good for you, it's a good smoker... thanks, AJ... we all get so wrapped up in mechanics...

Some times it is easier to forget about the briar and worry about the stem. I like a nice stem with a good button and open enough inside to pass a big fluffy pipe cleaner. Maybe a little file work on the stem inside the button. My own collection of pipes is nothing to brag about but the ones that I keep smoking have good stems regardless of how good the wood looks. A small set of needle files is a must for me as part of my kit.

For me it's any pipe that draws easily and cleanly and stays lit. I have some cheap polish pipes that would not stay lit if my life depended on it. It's a good thing my life doesn't depend on those polish pipes. I would have died many times already!

Some smoke good from the get go others my take 25-30 bowls. I put a little dab of honey inside the bowl and it makes a very hard cake. YMMV

Good briar should be broken in after about 8-9 bowls I find.