The dreaded question

Agree with darktater here. I don't generally take stock in any size/shape for particular blends, with few exceptions. I do think that English mixtures tend to smoke better in a larger pipe in general and you don't want to smoke English mixtures at least, in a tiny pipe. The multiple varietals of leaf meld better and sort of "open up" when given a larger chamber. A lot of folks like to smoke a straight Virginia, like a Virginia flake in a small bowled pipe because it can concentrate the flavor and make for a shorter smoke. From here it's really down to preference. I like to smoke my favorite burley-based blends in cobs because cob really lends itself to burley and especially C&D burleys and it opens up the burley flavor and keeps it cool.

Yeah, the thing you hear most often is, as the guys have said, narrower chambers for Virginias, wider ones for English, and cobs for Burley. How much it actually matters for you, specifically, is extremely variable.

I try to avoid ghosting my good pipes, but other than that I don't pay much attention.

Great advice guys. Would I be correct to use the 87 apple Petersens for Va?

I tend to smoke Virginia based blends and VaPers in medium to larger pipes myself. Make some mental notes on pipes that you think smoked off, and then experiment for something better by following it up with the same blend in a different pipe. There are many factors that make for an off smoke, sometimes blends just don't smoke that great in a certain pipe, then you find out it smokes just wonderfully in a cob, etc. If a pipe has gotten a bit sour, maybe the pipe needs a good cleaning. Factors like if the tobacco is moist are huge. The first few months I smoked a pipe, I didn't even have a clue I was smoking wet tobacco and that tobacco should be dried.In particular with that aspect alone, explain to us how exactly you are preparing your tobaccos as that can help. What blends are you having troubles with, and are those blends pretty moist right out of a tin? If so, you should be fully rubbing the tobacco out and allowing it to dry until it's not able to be pinched and clump together. The tobacco should be getting a little crispy.

I hear ya! I've tried Va's in the bigger bowl, just didn't really work for me. Isn't it crazy how much variation there is in what we like? I have 2 cobs that really sing with the Va's...

Burley-forward blends mostly in cobs, Virginia blends and flakes in deeper/larger bowls. English tobaccos in English dedicated pipes. That still leaves a lot of pipes that I'll pretty much smoke anything but latakia in.

What the hell is an EA Carey pipe fresh?

I tend to prefer the full bent Petersons. But it depends. On everything else.

Marketing myth. The best smoke comes from 90% technique and 10% equipment. Provided a pipe is drilled well, your technique will make or break the experience.

The only rules I follow are if its an aro I generally smoke it in a cob or meerschaum, and that's to prevent ghosting in my briars; if I think it'll burn hot I'll pick up a smaller bowl, or if I think it'll burn cool (most English blends) I'll pick up a larger bowl. That works for me.

 Words of wisdom, tall, narrow bowls for flakes, and other than that, if you find one pipe offers a more impressive English smoke, it likely has more to do with the age of the briar, but even grain and fibers in the wood, has much more to do with your smoking experience than shape.

I will say that when I get my hands on a  nice straight bulldog ,with a smooth, flat rim, I start looking for a good English, but that's a personal issue; I just enjoy a big ole bulldog with English blends...a pot or billiard will do the job just as well.

You had me until you said you refuse to smoke Latakia. (Lol)

I agree Latakia to me is a condiment tobacco.

I thought there was at least one carver making after market bowls for Falcons and maybe Kirstens.  A deep Google might pull someone up and maybe an alt-wood bowl might be commissioned?   My memory might not be trustworthy, but I'm pretty sure I've seen such.