I can't taste much after a pipe

How dry do you usually get your tobacco?

It sounds like a possible "steaming" of the taste buds.

Interesting thoughts. I usually have a drink, but my tobacco is normally dry and I don't smoke that fast... At least I don't think I do.

Sometimes i filter, other times not. By dry, I mean, the proper moisture level.

...I agree with Darin... took me several years to figure this out when I began smoking a pipe... back in the old days...

Aye, see... That's the proper level. 😉

So you don't taste anything but "smoke" when you smoke and can't taste anything after you smoke? You may be pulling too hard when you light your pipe. If so, you may be scorching your tongue straight off. That would explain both of your issues. If you have too pull hard, you may be packing your pipe too tightly.

Packing too loosely is problematic too, but if you have to pull hard then there is something wrong. Either it's packed too tightly or the draft whole is blocked.  There are also other reasons why people may pull too hard when lighting their pipes.

The first is the one I already mentioned, packing too tightly.  The second has already been suggested; tobacco is too moist which makes it hard to light so you pull harder to get it going.  The third is skipping the false/charring light and trying to get your pipe going on one light (common rookie mistake). The fourth is trying to get huge billowy clouds of smoke with every puff (many coming over from cigars initially make this mistake), and lastly is trying to get more flavor and/or nicotine out of a mild tobacco.

My thought is that you are scorching your mouth straight off for one of these reasons or for some other reason that I've left off.

I've heard that before and I understand what's going on there.

However, my problem was not being able to taste anything AFTER I smoke. And since someone suggested I could be scorching my taste buds, I'm thinking that's not the case, since with the p-lip the smoke is directed away from my tongue, but I still couldn't taste anything after that pipe either.

I suppose that's what it could be. Not that I taste the tobacco, but I have a taste of smoke for quite some time after.

Does your pipe feel hot in your hand, Legend Lover? Are you more sensitive to the temperature of food, i.e., are others able to eat or drink at temps that you find too hot?

No. Pipe is normally no hotter than room temp, give or take a little. Of course, the odd time it does get hot, but not often. 

Happens with every tobacco. 

Perhaps I'm just an anomaly. 

If I ever have the pleasure of meeting up with any of you, I'll bring a cob and spare stem. I'll get you to pack it and get it going with the new stem, switch out the stem and continue once you've got it started to see if there's any difference. I'm pretty sure there won't be. 

I have some abf. I was keeping it in the tin, but since I've a few jars, I'll open it and try some before jarring.

I can't imagine it'll be any different, but I'm willing to try.

I hope it works for you, LL. I'm pretty sensitive, but burley blends - no problem. Everybody's different.