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Post by Deleted on Dec 10, 2020 4:31:24 GMT -5
Does anyone of you use filters in their pipes? I am trying to wrap my head around the idea.
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Post by isett2860 on Dec 10, 2020 6:29:50 GMT -5
Yes I do. But not in all of my pipes. I use 6mm in some of my cobs. 6mm balsa in s9me of my Savinelli’s And 9mm charcoal in some of my others.
This is still a work in progress. But there are some tobaccos that I prefer with a filter. And others I don’t.
This can be a hot button topic amongst pipers, not just here. But in general. But in the end the decision is yours. There is no right or wrong. It’s your hobby and your journey. So experiment, and try different things. Do what makes you happy.
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Post by taiguy66 on Dec 10, 2020 9:39:30 GMT -5
Totally agree with Charlie (Isett2860). I use a filter too depending on the blend I’m smoking. Especially when it comes to tongue bite and nic hit.
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Post by trailboss on Dec 10, 2020 10:02:54 GMT -5
I don’t, but I certainly understand why some people would.
I would think that with aromatics, it would be beneficial.
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Post by Darin on Dec 10, 2020 12:54:00 GMT -5
Never, for me. However, I always dry the tobacco thoroughly, pack fairly loosely and use a pipe cleaner mid-smoke if needed. Everyone finds their own path with all things related to pipe routines. Explore, trying all methods, and choose what works for you. Enjoy! 
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Post by Deleted on Dec 10, 2020 13:08:16 GMT -5
Thanks for your feedback, guys. I don't get influenced by pseudo manly stuff (arr, filters are for boys, matey, arrr, real men smoke without filters). What matters is my getting the maximum benefit from my smoking. Right now, I have some issues with my lower gum than can gett irritated from the smoking and am exploring ways to alleviate this. I have tried 6mm balsa filters with Savinellis as I found the draw too lose. The filter made the draw way too tight and the balsa translated in the tobacco taste. So this was not a good experience for me. I've been thinking about the 9mm but most of the reading or videos I've covered say, in majority, that both draw and taste are affected. Draw is noticeably reduced and taste, significantly. So, before jumping in to acquire a few 9mm filter fitted pipes and filters, I need to think about this.
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Post by username on Dec 11, 2020 0:52:04 GMT -5
My first pipe has a 9mm filter and I didn’t like it so I chucked the filter and smoked it as is. I’ve tried smoking my cobs with filters before but just found I didn’t care for them with the filter in. Ended up getting forever stems for them. Buy hey if you like them more power to you they are just not for me.
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Post by Legend Lover on Dec 11, 2020 9:10:30 GMT -5
I use a filter to catch my drool...However, my Mr Brogg pipe came with a filter in it. When I first smoked it, I smoked Holger Danske mango and vanilla (I think), and it was the ONLY time I've tasted something that resembles mango or fruit in any tobacco. I've never tasted the same since. I tried buying the VAUEN activated charcoal filters (as that's what was in the mr Brogg, but it wasn't a VAUEN), but they restricted the draw so much I felt like I was drinking a REALLY thick milkshake.
Paper or balsa filters don't affect the taste like that Mr Brogg filter did. I wish I knew what make it was.
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Post by isett2860 on Dec 11, 2020 9:42:07 GMT -5
And just a reminder. If you get a 9mm pipe and don’t like the filter. You can get a reducer from most of the online retailers. For about $1.00 usd. Some come with them when new.
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Post by mrlunting on Dec 11, 2020 12:35:13 GMT -5
I use filters. Medico filters in my cobs. And in my Brigham pipes I use Brigham's rock maple filters. Two of my pipe don't take filters. I honestly have not noticed that much of a difference. Each to their own.
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Post by sperrytops on Dec 11, 2020 12:43:08 GMT -5
I have two pipes that came for 9mm filters. I use filters in those pipes, but all my other pipes are non filter. I'll use filters when I smoke those two, and don't find it offensive. I'll only use the 9mm charcoal filters from Vauen. Paper or balsa filters do not appeal to me in the least. Do they improve or reduce smoking pleasure? To be honest I really don't notice a difference.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 12, 2020 15:08:35 GMT -5
And just a reminder. If you get a 9mm pipe and don’t like the filter. You can get a reducer from most of the online retailers. For about $1.00 usd. Some come with them when new. I had a Winslow 9mm (unsmoked, but not new) that did not come with an adapter. I bought a couple of adapters and they would just not fit.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 12, 2020 15:09:44 GMT -5
I use filters. Medico filters in my cobs. And in my Brigham pipes I use Brigham's rock maple filters. Two of my pipe don't take filters. I honestly have not noticed that much of a difference. Each to their own. Ahh, I never thought of the Brigham pipes! Can you pass a pipe cleaner while smoking despite the filter being fitted?
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Post by sperrytops on Dec 12, 2020 15:17:44 GMT -5
Don't think you can run a cleaner through with filter present.
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Post by Legend Lover on Dec 12, 2020 17:23:36 GMT -5
And just a reminder. If you get a 9mm pipe and don’t like the filter. You can get a reducer from most of the online retailers. For about $1.00 usd. Some come with them when new. or just smoke then without a filter or reducer. I've never noticed the difference.
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Post by mrlunting on Dec 12, 2020 17:40:35 GMT -5
I use filters. Medico filters in my cobs. And in my Brigham pipes I use Brigham's rock maple filters. Two of my pipe don't take filters. I honestly have not noticed that much of a difference. Each to their own. Ahh, I never thought of the Brigham pipes! Can you pass a pipe cleaner while smoking despite the filter being fitted? I just tried for the first time actually! Yes a Brigham pipes cleaner will go through the filter.
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Post by isett2860 on Dec 12, 2020 19:28:31 GMT -5
And just a reminder. If you get a 9mm pipe and don’t like the filter. You can get a reducer from most of the online retailers. For about $1.00 usd. Some come with them when new. I had a Winslow 9mm (unsmoked, but not new) that did not come with an adapter. I bought a couple of adapters and they would just not fit. I actually had a pipe the wound not take a reducer either. but I will use a filter, so I reach for it on some tobaccos
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Post by johnlawitzke on Dec 12, 2020 20:17:48 GMT -5
I dislike filters. To me, they mute the flavor of the tobacco. Also, I like to use a pipe cleaner while I smoke. My Savinelli get the non-filtered adapter installed in them. In cobs, I will use a balsa insert; preferably the Aldo Velani ones. Otherwise, I find the draw in a cob to be too open. The balsa insert does not mute the flavor like a paper filter will. It just reduces the air flow.
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jay
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Edward's Pipes....only Edward's pipes....and Buccaneer in the bowl
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Post by jay on Dec 13, 2020 0:19:18 GMT -5
I've never had any pipes that would take a filter, so I'm not really much help. I found that the combination of tobacco that isn't syrupy, with briar that will wick moisture to the outside of the bowl, and liberal use of pipe cleaners takes care of any smoking issue for me. I also gravitate to pipes that aren't too short, which gives a cooler smoke. Of course, your mileage may vary.
But it's a legitimate question and there isn't any right answer, just what works for you.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 13, 2020 5:38:03 GMT -5
Ahh, I never thought of the Brigham pipes! Can you pass a pipe cleaner while smoking despite the filter being fitted? I just tried for the first time actually! Yes a Brigham pipes cleaner will go through the filter. Indeed, the center of the maple rock insert is hollow. It's almost comical that I never thought of that brand! Thanks to you, bud, I ordered a Brigham (a 226 System; so, I am not losing too much in case of an inconclusive outcome) and I will be experimenting with it.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 14, 2021 8:19:57 GMT -5
Ok, so here's a SITREP. I have been smoking new Brigham, Rattray and Savinelli pipes over the last few weeks. The Brigham has the rock maple system; the Rattray, a 9mm charcoal activated filter; and the Savinelli, the 9mm Balsa wood filter. Allow me to share and summarize my impressions.
1. Draft Restrictions.
a. The rock maple allows a pipe cleaner, but it stops where the metal part fits in the airway. It will not go in the tobacco chamber but I have not experienced any blockage while smoking. The draft was pretty good; I can't say I felt any significant obstruction but it still requires some adapting compared to a 4mm airway. I do take the filter out after every smoke so it can dry. b. The 9mm charcoal activated filter does restrict the airway but it's not as dramatic as I was led to think watching some Videos. It does require adapting, particularly with the puffing cadence; otherwise, the pipe can become pretty hot pretty quickly. I tried smoking with the same filter twice and it didn't work well, it smoked much less clean. Curiously, I never had to remove the tenon because tobacco bits were obstructing the airflow. c. The balsa filter does not restrict at all, or barely, the airflow. Which is absolutely weird as the 6mm, from memory, restricted it significantly. However, when you insert it, you must leave about 2 cm sticking out from the end of the tenon or else, good luck in taking it out as it's very soft to the touch and breaks easily.
2. Tobacco taste.
a. With the rock maple system, the tobacco taste is not narrowed down significantly. What is interesting is that when smoking with a new filter, the taste, for the first 5 min, is reminiscent of a CC. Then it goes away. b. With the charcoal activated filter, taste is narrowed down to a couple dominant but still distinct flavors. c. With the balsa filter, there is about no loss of flavor. I can taste, for the first few min, the balsa when I start a new filter but it's temporary.
Overall, the mouth feels 'cleaner' smoking with, than without a filter.
3. Reduction of tongue bite/harshness/moisture.
a. The rock maple does not significantly reduce tongue bite, but enough that it does make a difference. The smoke is a lot less harsh from the moisture but is not entirely eliminated. Still, enough to make a difference: my gum never became irritated despite breaking in 4 Brigham pipes over the course of a couple weeks. b. The charcoal activated filter eliminates tongue bite almost totally. The smoke is not harsh nor moist. My gum never became irritated. c. The balsa filter does reduce tongue bite, harshness and moisture but not significantly so. If I am not careful, my gum can manifest a beginning of irritation but it has never been pronounced.
4. Cost.
a. The charcoal activated is the most expensive option as I have to replace the filter every new smoke. b. The balsa wood performs decently the first 3- 4 times but I would not exceed 5 smokes with the same filter as the balsa will become saturated and have adverse effects. c. The rock maple is the less expensive option as it's good for several smokes as long as you take the time to remove it from the tenon after every smoke and let it dry. Some rinse it through hot water to prolong its life duration. I'm not there yet.
5. Conclusion.
- The Brigham pipes, overall, are not what I consider to be sexy pipes by design. Sadly for me, it's the only brand using the rock maple filter. Nevertheless, this filter, despite some cons on the maintenance level (the filter can be sometimes a bit difficult to remove after the smoke and I had to sometimes try a couple new filters before finding one that fitted the tenon nicely), works pretty well for me as the smoking is fairly restriction free. Despite traces of slight tongue bite, my mouth and my gum do not become irritated and the smoke feels fairly clean. And each filter can be used several times before final dispatch. It would be, so far, my preferred filter even though I'm not crazy about their pipes. - The charcoal activated filter allows a wide range of pipes to choose. In fact, more and more pipes are available with the 9mm filter option. Some brands almost exclusively offer this option only. It has the best result in terms of comfortable smoke, despite the relative loss in flavor. No tongue bite, no harshness, no mouth or gum irritation. Smokes real clean but only if the filter is used once, no more. But the fact that the airflow is more restricted and demands a constant vigilance to work out makes it my second preferred option. - We all know Savinelli makes some really sexy pipes. The balsa filter seems to improve after a couple smokes but still requires caution on my part as moisture and harshness are less reduced with it than tongue bite. In my case, it is the less preferred option as my gum can remain sensitive if I am not careful when I'm smoking with it. Still, the irritation is much less severe than without a filter. To alleviate this, I will experiment with the charcoal activated filters that Savinelli offers. Because of the size of the balsa filter, charcoal activated filters such as Peterson and Dr. Perl are too loose in the tenon so I will use the ones designed specifically for Savinelli pipes which are, unfortunately, rather expensive.
To conclude, personally I will only smoke with a filter from now on as a non - filtered pipe generates gum irritation. I believe my issue is that I developed a sensitivity to the harshness generated by the moisture. Hopefully, this will help people who are debating the 'to have or not to have' filter option. I started this journey unfavorably biased toward the filter option and can say that I stand corrected. For those who have, or have recently developed an oral sensitivity to pipe smoking, a filter might be the solution. Or, simply, if you are looking for a cleaner smoking experience.
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Post by Legend Lover on Jan 14, 2021 8:43:12 GMT -5
Great analysis, @lordguyrox. I've never used the rock maple filter system before. I must look into that further and check out some Bringham pipes.
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Post by taiguy66 on Jan 14, 2021 10:42:25 GMT -5
Roger that... thanks for the sitrep.
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Post by mrlunting on Jan 14, 2021 13:11:31 GMT -5
I to have come across some Brigham maple filters that do not pass a pipe cleaner through, those ones I use a thinner pipe cleaner. Most I have do however pass a pipe cleaner through.
Just to mention you can run water through the maple filters. You don't have to use a new one every smoke. I rinse mine 4 even five times before I need another. one box of filters I have only replaced 2 in the last 8 months. Not that expensive at all!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 14, 2021 17:47:57 GMT -5
Thanks, gents, I hope people will find this summary helpful.
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Post by urbino on Jan 14, 2021 19:37:44 GMT -5
Thanks, gents, I hope people will find this summary helpful. I do. Really nice, experience-based comparison, pointing out specific areas where your particular experience might be different from others'. Thanks.
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