stone
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Post by stone on Mar 31, 2019 6:58:12 GMT -5
As I mentioned in my introduction, I am trying the pipe again after a long absence and I need a lot of help. From everything I've read I guess every new pipe smoker goes through this. I started smoking the pipe ten years ago and fell in love with the entire process, I bought and repaired pipes, I bought expensive and basic tobacco, I couldn't stop! But after so many failed attempts the stuff has sat now for 9 1/2 years. I decided last week to sell it all and in the process I noticed the excitement again as I looked through the stuff I have I will sell 90% but keep a few nice pipes and some tobacco and come hell or high water, learn to enjoy it without the constant relights. After all, I built a nice man cave and I can't just get rid of everything!
I am analytical so I am trying everything and I hope you guys can use some of my successes and failures to help me get it right while I still have a tongue  I "think" I have been using tobacco that is too moist, but I don't how to tell so I am going to go to a pipe shop and talk to some accomplished smokers. The best success I've had is with tobacco that is a little crisp on the edges, is this what I am looking for?
When people say it should be like sipping a soda I am confused, my draw is always like drawing on a straw but no resistance, like a straw in the air, not pulling soda?
I've tried packing a little firmer and a little looser and seldom get past 1/2 a bowl and constant relights. But ..... the other day, I read an article a lady wrote about her deceased husbands method of lighting the pipe after the first pack (1/2 a bowl) and smoke that for a minute or two and then top it off and light as usual and I had some success this way ..... does this tell you anything? I notice that if I don't pay constant attention the pipe goes out but if I puff frequently the pipe gets hot? I also notice that if I really draw the coals down in during the light, it obviously lasts longer but that seems harsh and gets me started with a burnt tongue? I am an accomplished cigar smoker and I know that some of the best people I have met in my life were brothers of the leaf and I can only assume it's the same with the pipe and I am not going to miss out Thanks!
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Robert Perkins
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First Name: Robert
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Favorite Tobacco: Lane RLP-6
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Post by Robert Perkins on Mar 31, 2019 8:13:35 GMT -5
There is plenty of good information here about how to do this.
But first and foremost is to stop fearing the relight. That's where newbies always get into trouble: thinking they have to puff like their lives depend on it to avoid having to relight.
Actually train yourself to get used to the idea of relighting by deliberately letting the pipe go out and then relighting awhile later.
Now then, what worked for me starting out was actually timing myself between puffs -- one thousand one, one thousand two, one thousand three, one thousand four, one thousand five, slow puff, one thousand one, one thousand two, one thousand three, one thousand four, one thousand five, slow puff.
Five seconds between slow puffs, that was the magic number for me, but your mileage may vary.
Anyway, after awhile, you won't even have to count it out, that rhythm will just become a part of who your are. And once you get the rhythm, your enjoyment of pipe smoking will go through the roof.
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Post by isett2860 on Mar 31, 2019 8:29:00 GMT -5
Welcome.
As Robert mentioned, their is a weslth of knowledge here.
And trust me they will share it freely!😆
Only a bit over 2 years in. And the always mentioned relight had me worried.
But an old timer at the local B&M, told me. “So you have to relight? Big deal, who cares? This isn’t a slow smoke competition!”
So I started enjoying my pipes and tobacco and stopped worrying about it.
No relights is now a challenge to me just for fun, when I’m just sitting and watching the world go by.
Enjoy your education and the journey ahead!
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SCF Dan
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Post by SCF Dan on Mar 31, 2019 8:57:28 GMT -5
Here are my tips:
1. Join the NASPC (North American Society of Pipe Collectors). Lots of great info. in the newsletter.
2. Find a pipe club in your area.
3. Don't overthink it. Just practice with different pipes and blends. The more you think deep thoughts about NOT smoking a pipe, the easier it will be to enjoy your pipe smoking experience.
4. Generally, most people don't dry out their tobacco sufficiently; but, there's a window before the tobacco becomes too dry.
5. Enjoy. Pipe smoking's fun.
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Post by kxg on Mar 31, 2019 9:00:47 GMT -5
I agree there is much to learn in these forums. There is also quite a bit to ignore. Like most things, short of brain surgery and rocket science, the best way is your way, discovered through the process you describe, try, fail, wonder, adjust; try fail, wonder, adjust; repeat until you succeed rather than fail.
You can short-cut the process by trying adjustments that you discover here and in other places.
For me, the first key was learning to pack appropriately to my smoking and the particular tobacco being packed. A corollary to that key is, don't be afraid to dump an over packed bowl out and start over; no one cares if you do that. Once you light it, it's still OK, the tobacco police won't be hunting you down.
My second key echo's what Robert said. No relights does not equal pipe smoking nirvana. The pipe goes out, relight it. Again, unless you're in the slow smoke world, no one cares.
My third key is, the tamper is my friend. Applied judiciously and appropriately for the tobacco in the pipe, a little tamping goes a long ways toward smoking satisfaction.
All of this advice should be taken with a healthy dose of skepticism, until you can test it on your terms.
There are many pathways that lead to smoking satisfaction; find yours.
Good luck with your return to the pipe.
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Post by Dramatwist on Mar 31, 2019 9:03:35 GMT -5
Relax.
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Post by Cramptholomew on Mar 31, 2019 9:06:53 GMT -5
You could try the "Frank Method" of filling. It works for some people:
You could try the breath method of smoking, which works for some people:
I'd have to parrot everything else that's been said. Don't worry about relights. When I'm making a pipe, I'd imagine I relight about 10+ times, because I get involved in what I'm doing, and I drool like a hound. I hardly ever smoke to ash. 90% of the time I always throw out a thimble full of Tobacco when I'm done smoking. It just gets to a point where I'm done, so I dump it. I usually use the light-fill, then firmer-fill method. I don't want it tight, but a little resistance is good. Also, drier tobacco burns better. YMMV. Keep at it, and find what works for you, and don't worry so much about doing it "right". There is no "right" way to smoke a pipe, except to "put that in your pipe, and smoke it!". :-)
Edit: tamp light, tamp often.
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Post by insignia100 on Mar 31, 2019 9:16:14 GMT -5
- Learn to enjoy the process of relighting. I use a Zippo, and I love the mechanics and sound involved in using it and relighting the tobacco. I find that often, after I dump some ash, I'm giving my bowl just a touch of a relight to get things burning evenly even though it may not have technically needed it.
- I'm finding I prefer my tobacco on the drier side, and have been experimenting with extended drying time (30-60 minutes). That being said, there are people who prefer moister tobacco. The key is finding what works for YOU in terms of keeping the tobacco lit and the flavor the varying levels of moisture provides.
- Keep at it, but don't overanalyze things. Enjoyment is derived as much from the process and ritual of smoking a pipe as the tobacco itself. Cigars and cigarettes are easy mode compared to pipes.
- You may also find different pipes smoke better than others. Cobbs are generally considered to be among the best smokers despite their low cost. I have found that a Brigham Dri-Kule pipe screen in the bottom of my bowl really helps promote a cool, even smoke. I also prefer filtered pipes over non-filtered ones. Many will scoff at the idea of using a pipe screen or filtered pipes, but at the end of the day if its a more enjoyable smoke, who cares what other people think?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2019 10:58:27 GMT -5
With all the information above plus the videos, more than that I can not add much more. Just make sure your tobacco is not overly moist, air dry to your liking. Take your time, relax and enjoy the journey. GOOD LUCK, you’ll get the hang of the fine art and pleasure of smoking a pipe👍👍👍
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stone
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Post by stone on Mar 31, 2019 12:36:26 GMT -5
Thanks folks! I plan to keep learning! I am not at all concerned about the relight with one exception. Lighting relighting seem to be harder draws which burn the tongue. I actually like the nuance of the light other than that.
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Post by sperrytops on Mar 31, 2019 13:03:11 GMT -5
Don't smoke wet tobacco, dry it. Don't pack it hard, keep it loose and tamp as you go. That will reduce the relights and the hard draw.
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Post by unknownpipesmoker on Mar 31, 2019 14:12:18 GMT -5
Understand one thing first. Anywhere between 1-4 relights is normal, depending on your technique, pipe used, tobacco, lots of factors.
Next I would seriously look at your packing method. The 1-2-3 method that a lot of people put out there frankly doesn't work too well. I know, I did it for years. Try the "sprinkle" method instead. Start with a nice cube cut tobacco or a short ribbon. Sprinkle lightly into the bowl until it looks like it needs a haircut. LIGHTLY tamper until the bowl feels ever so slightly dense. Take an unlit puff. Does the air come in easily, with just a tiny bit of "tug"? If its difficult, you over-tampered. Next, begin filling the bowl again, and repeat above. Never fill all the way to the top of the pipe. That will just burn the finish on your bowl. I prefer to light with big wooden matches. They're less likely to char your bowl and they're just classier.
Pinch all of your tobaccos. They should feel just slightly moist. If you can sense more moisture than that, you will need to take your tobaccos out, and leave them on a plate on your dining room table or somewhere. Do this until they feel just slightly moist.
If you do this overnight and they still feel moist, try putting the plate into the microwave for about 20 seconds. You can repeat the sitting out to dry and microwaving process as many times as needed to ensure your tobacco is at the correct humidity levels. Ball jars for storage are ideal.
I'm not sure what else to tell you. If you do all of this and still have problems keeping your pipe lit, try slowing down. You need to get your "cadence" right, and cadence is not the same with every blend. If all of this fails, buy a Savinelli and see if that solves your pipe smoking problems!
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Post by Legend Lover on Mar 31, 2019 16:35:17 GMT -5
Everyone else has given great information here. I'm very analytical too (used to be my job) and I've found that while this is a science, treating it like an art too can help. By the I mean, look at Dramatwist's post. That's the art. When the science doesn't work (but it will... You'll get there) remember the art and just relax and enjoy your pipe regardless of the relights. That said, here are my thoughts... Think of the fire triangle. For fire, you need oxygen, fuel and heat. The fuel is the tobacco. Pack it too tight and there's no oxygen around the tobacco to keep it going. You'll have to puff like a freight train to add the extra oxygen. Pack it too loose and you've got air pockets where there isn't any fuel. No fuel means no fire. The heat comes initially from the flame, but after that, it comes from the ember. But you need to get that ember going good first. You'll get smoke as soon as the flame touches the tobacco but that's not enough to get an ember... Keep going with the flame for a while, tamp and spread the ash around the top and then go again with the flame until when you puff with the flame present, the flame comes from the pipe itself. After that, the heat needs to be kept in contact with the fuel...and that's why we tamp. Tamping (gently) pushes the ember so it's back in contact with the tobacco so that when you draw, the oxygen makes the ember glow and makes the tobacco, in contact with the ember, catch fire too. I dry my tobacco for 10-15 seconds in a microwave if it's wet. Pack looser than you think you need. Try the Frank method. After that, remember the art and relax and enjoy the experience, relights or not. |
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captblack
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Post by captblack on Mar 31, 2019 21:02:25 GMT -5
Adding to @legendlovers very solid advice:
- Learn how to tamp and when to use your tamper. Tamp often. When you start to feel the tobacco embers "dim" (smoke cools a bit and turns gray), tamp and draw simultaneously. I think 50% of keeping a pipe lit has to do with tamping rather than tobacco moisture content. Tamping should be a pleasure and not a chore, and once you get the hang of it you will relight less often.
- Dont overthink it, dont watch too many Youtube videos, when it comes to packing the pipe simply pack moister tobacco more loosely and dry tobaccos more tightly.
- Remember that your ash is essentially charcoal, and the act of tamping helps to keep the charcoal embers in contact with the tobacco. When lighting, light thoroughly and draw to get a decent ember going. But dont fear the relight, everyone does it and it does not impact tobacco flavor (unlike when smoking a cigar). The first light of the bowl is almost always a "false light" that starts the ash base but extinguishes in short order. Just light again and roll with it.
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stone
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Post by stone on Apr 1, 2019 6:59:01 GMT -5
You could try the "Frank Method" of filling. It works for some people: You could try the breath method of smoking, which works for some people: I'd have to parrot everything else that's been said. Don't worry about relights. When I'm making a pipe, I'd imagine I relight about 10+ times, because I get involved in what I'm doing, and I drool like a hound. I hardly ever smoke to ash. 90% of the time I always throw out a thimble full of Tobacco when I'm done smoking. It just gets to a point where I'm done, so I dump it. I usually use the light-fill, then firmer-fill method. I don't want it tight, but a little resistance is good. Also, drier tobacco burns better. YMMV. Keep at it, and find what works for you, and don't worry so much about doing it "right". There is no "right" way to smoke a pipe, except to "put that in your pipe, and smoke it!". :-) Edit: tamp light, tamp often. Thanks! That was helpful! |
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Post by Legend Lover on Apr 4, 2019 2:16:13 GMT -5
Have you had a chance to try many pipes and different techniques? How's it going, stone? |
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stone
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Post by stone on Apr 4, 2019 5:44:30 GMT -5
Have you had a chance to try many pipes and different techniques? How's it going, stone ? Thanks to the help of a lot of people here it is going well! I am learning that my tobacco was way too wet, I am learning how to pack (the Frank method works well), and I am learning that frequent tamping really helps.
It seems that pipe smoking is a lot of work before, during, and after the event and I guess that's why it's so therapeutic.
Last night I smoked a bowl of Tinder Box Reserve 1928 in the Bonnie Brier Matterhorn and it was awesome, I was able to see down into the bowl while lighting/smoking and that feedback was nice.
Great place you have here!
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Post by Legend Lover on Apr 4, 2019 6:05:01 GMT -5
Have you had a chance to try many pipes and different techniques? How's it going, stone ? Thanks to the help of a lot of people here it is going well! I am learning that my tobacco was way too wet, I am learning how to pack (the Frank method works well), and I am learning that frequent tamping really helps.
It seems that pipe smoking is a lot of work before, during, and after the event and I guess that's why it's so therapeutic.
Last night I smoked a bowl of Tinder Box Reserve 1928 in the Bonnie Brier Matterhorn and it was awesome, I was able to see down into the bowl while lighting/smoking and that feedback was nice.
Great place you have here!
I'm so glad it's going well for you. |
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Post by Dramatwist on Apr 4, 2019 9:55:01 GMT -5
Have you had a chance to try many pipes and different techniques? How's it going, stone ? Thanks to the help of a lot of people here it is going well! I am learning that my tobacco was way too wet, I am learning how to pack (the Frank method works well), and I am learning that frequent tamping really helps.
It seems that pipe smoking is a lot of work before, during, and after the event and I guess that's why it's so therapeutic.
Last night I smoked a bowl of Tinder Box Reserve 1928 in the Bonnie Brier Matterhorn and it was awesome, I was able to see down into the bowl while lighting/smoking and that feedback was nice.
Great place you have here!
...it's your place too, stone! |
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Post by peteguy on Apr 4, 2019 14:50:59 GMT -5
Pack lighter than you think and dry longer than you think. Otherwise, don't think too much about it. Your own style will build but not in a day or a week or maybe even a month, but it will eventually come.
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Post by Matthew on Apr 8, 2019 0:21:36 GMT -5
For me,The biggest aid was learning to tamp.You want just a slight pressure
to keep the ember in contact with the tobacco.Also,I tamp at a slight angle
around the edges of the bowls to push unburnt tobacco into the heat or center.
But again just a slight push,not much more than the weight of the tamper itself.
Concentrate,more on the flavors and less on how many relights.A Bic or matches
are cheap,but a half hour of relaxing is priceless.
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exchef
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Post by exchef on Apr 8, 2019 8:00:07 GMT -5
Stone,
Only advice I can and will give as a neophyte pipe smoker myself. Smoke your own smoke. It’s not a contest, it’s not supposed to be an experience of consternation. If you are enjoying it, you are doing it “right”. We can all provide you suggestions based upon experience; I don’t have enough to do so personally.
What I can tell you is, that of the tobaccos that I have had, some smoke better when slightly more humid than others. For me, packing the bowl is essential because an overpacked bowl is not enjoyable. Too much work.
I hope that you find your pace and enjoy this past time. For me it’s a bit of nostalgia as my grandfather used to smoke a pipe and cigars. Both of which are things that I enjoy, maybe it’s that connection maybe it’s the sensory aspect or even the ritual.
Enough philosophy go enjoy!
ExChef
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stone
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Post by stone on Apr 8, 2019 8:33:17 GMT -5
For me,The biggest aid was learning to tamp.You want just a slight pressure to keep the ember in contact with the tobacco.Also,I tamp at a slight angle around the edges of the bowls to push unburnt tobacco into the heat or center. But again just a slight push,not much more than the weight of the tamper itself. Concentrate,more on the flavors and less on how many relights.A Bic or matches are cheap,but a half hour of relaxing is priceless. Learning to keep the tamper in my fingers is a big help! As I learn the many many possibilities, I am beginning to enjoy the pipe more each and every time! |
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Post by bonanzadriver on Apr 8, 2019 16:10:32 GMT -5
First of all, welcome to the Patch.
Secondly, this thread messed with my head!
Well, actually, I was perusing through new threads, opened this one and saw my, er uhm, your, uhh, "Our Avatar". I started reading the thread, thinking this was somehow one of "MY" posts (being a visual guy and seeing MY Avatar) ;-). Thing was, I didn't remember making such a post and was convinced that dementia had set in. :-(
After a couple of double takes I realized we're sharing the same avatar. ;-) (Great choice by the way)
Now to your point, or query... If you're coming to the pipe world from either smoking cigarettes or cigars, then you have become conditioned, used to, "One Light" and virtually no re-lights. I too had the initial perception that I must somehow only have an initial "char light" and one or two re-lights.
This was really an arbitrary requirement that I had somehow imposed on myself. I think, once you've been at this a while, you'll find that you really don't pay attention to the re-lights. Especially if you're smoking a pipe while perusing the Patch or reading a book, as I often do.
Truth be told, I really have absolutely no idea how often I re-light nowadays. It really is a "Non-Issue".
Lastly, it's been my experience that drier tobacco definitely requires less effort to light and keep lit, for what it's worth.
Dino
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stone
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Post by stone on Apr 8, 2019 16:15:50 GMT -5
First of all, welcome to the Patch. Secondly, this thread messed with my head! Well, actually, I was perusing through new threads, opened this one and saw my, er uhm, your, uhh, "Our Avatar". I started reading the thread, thinking this was somehow one of "MY" posts (being a visual guy and seeing MY Avatar) ;-). Thing was, I didn't remember making such a post and was convinced that dementia had set in. :-( After a couple of double takes I realized we're sharing the same avatar. ;-) (Great choice by the way) Now to your point, or query... If you're coming to the pipe world from either smoking cigarettes or cigars, then you have become conditioned, used to, "One Light" and virtually no re-lights. I too had the initial perception that I must somehow only have an initial "char light" and one or two re-lights. This was really an arbitrary requirement that I had somehow imposed on myself. I think, once you've been at this a while, you'll find that you really don't pay attention to the re-lights. Especially if you're smoking a pipe while perusing the Patch or reading a book, as I often do. Truth be told, I really have absolutely no idea how often I re-light nowadays. It really is a "Non-Issue". Lastly, it's been my experience that drier tobacco definitely requires less effort to light and keep lit, for what it's worth. Dino Sorry to mess with your head and sorry to high-jack your avatar. I will go on a search for another one.  Great minds think alike! |
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Great minds think alike! 