Questions You Thought Were Too Dumb to Ask (Pipes Edition)

[AlanS]

Lostmason mine is a Big Ben Ranger it travels pretty well!

[Lostmason]

Lostmason mine is a Big Ben Ranger it travels pretty well!

Looks pretty nice,,I'll bid my time and find one , but not in any big hurry.I still have my savoy that rides well, just get poked when I sit down with it in my pocket.Might break down and get one of those little "vest" pipes.

[Branzig]

Might break down and get one of those little "vest" pipes.

There is a member on this forum selling a nice one at a decent price.

http://www.cigarbum.com/forum/showth...Pocket-Pipe-FS

[Lostmason]

There is a member on this forum selling a nice one at a decent price.

http://www.cigarbum.com/forum/showth...Pocket-Pipe-FS

I've seen that and watching it,just needing my tobacco allowance to come in.

[Alligator Gar]

Two questions.

#1 I opened my tin of Blakeney's Best Bayou Slice, a Virginia/Perique blend that I really enjoy. I smelled ketchup/catsup and wondered what's up? Does Virginia always smell like this, and if so, why?

#2 What's the story on reaming pipes? How often should the cake be cut, so to speak? Is that what the spoon on the Czech tool is for? How much force should I use?

Thank you for your kind attention.

[c.ortiz108]

I have one really dumb question, and one that's a bit more legit:

1. (the really dumb one) Pipe tobacco doesn't have to "rest" before smoking like cigars, right, and is good to go ROTT?

2. I keep reading to "slow down". But when I slow down my pipe goes out. Admittedly I'm smoking a very damp Firedance Flake (courtesy of @Tobias Lutz , and the first aro I've actually really liked!). I rubbed it out instead of trying to smoke it "whole". Unless I pretty much continually lightly puff on it, I basically need to re-light for every puff. I've gone through almost a whole little box of matches!

[Nachman]

I have one really dumb question, and one that's a bit more legit:

1. (the really dumb one) Pipe tobacco doesn't have to "rest" before smoking like cigars, right, and is good to go ROTT?

2. I keep reading to "slow down". But when I slow down my pipe goes out. Admittedly I'm smoking a very damp Firedance Flake (courtesy of @Tobias Lutz , and the first aro I've actually really liked!). I rubbed it out instead of trying to smoke it "whole". Unless I pretty much continually lightly puff on it, I basically need to re-light for every puff. I've gone through almost a whole little box of matches!

Question 1: is not a dumb question at all. Many tobaccos improve with a little rest. Just put it in a canning jar and let it rest for a few days and it often improves the taste.
Question 2: Is there a question in there? With practice your technique and packing will improve and the pipe will go out less. Smoking slow improves flavour and prevents tongue bite, but I am a fine one to talk. I smoke like a freight train. I just tend to smoke tobacco that can stand hard puffing. Aeros and Virginias are prone to tongue bite and lighter tobaccos more than the stout, heavy ones. Most of what I smoke fall definitely into the heavy category so I don't get bit often.

[c.ortiz108]

Question 1: is not a dumb question at all. Many tobaccos improve with a little rest. Just put it in a canning jar and let it rest for a few days and it often improves the taste.
Question 2: Is there a question in there? With practice your technique and packing will improve and the pipe will go out less. Smoking slow improves flavour and prevents tongue bite, but I am a fine one to talk. I smoke like a freight train. I just tend to smoke tobacco that can stand hard puffing. Aeros and Virginias are prone to tongue bite and lighter tobaccos more than the stout, heavy ones. Most of what I smoke fall definitely into the heavy category so I don't get bit often.

Thanks! So I take it "resting" tobacco is more to do with the tin being opened for the first time, rather than stabilizing humidity after travel like with cigars?

Ha, yeah I guess I didn't really get around to asking question 2.... With cigars the ideal is supposed to be to puff once or twice a minute. Is it the same with pipes, and is that even possible without constant relights? I did get tongue bite with that Firedance today. I might try drying out a little next time.

[GWBowman]

Most people say about once a minute. It could vary with the tobacco and the pipe. Getting it too hot can cause problems for the taste, the pipe and the tongue.

[El Whedo]

I take a soft puff every 10- 20 seconds, roughly.

It doesn't get hot, or go out often. I rarely dry pipe tobacco, but Firedance Flake comes really wet (as do most Sam Gawith tobacco's). You might benefit from some drying time on a paper plate.