If there's 1 thing you wish someone had told you early on...

If there's 1 thing you wish someone had told you early on into beginning to smoke a pipe, what would it be?

And just to get more good info, what do you think is the most important thing you learned or were told/taught about pipe smoking?

Thanks all,
Sean

I friggin love cigars

Hey Sean,
Most important, smoke what you like…don’t worry if some non Bum pipe snob says you’re smoking garbage. If YOU enjoy it, THAT’S all that matters!
( I need to make the distinction clear. Here at the Bum, there are no cigar/pipe snobs ) but they are other places trust me. We are here to help you get the most out of the experience, not shame you because you like Captain Black, as an example.

Some quick tips:
Siping is better than big draws, keeps the ember on top going without everything under it going sour. It also helps build cake and helps reduce the chance of a burn through.
Understand loose cut will pack differently than a flake, etc…
When tamping, let the weight of the tool do most of the work, don’t press down “packing” it as you smoke. Just gently press the ember down so it continues to burn.
Learn a method of packing that works for you.
Don’t be afraid to try something new, or circle back around to something you didn’t like at first. I HATED Latakia in any form when I first started, now love it.

And also of upmost importance, enjoy yourself, 1/2 of the relaxing aspect of pipe smoking is the method/process of getting it cleaned, packed, and ready to light.

HTH!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LazyLightning

Hey Sean,
Most important, smoke what you like…don’t worry if some non Bum pipe snob says you’re smoking garbage. If YOU enjoy it, THAT’S all that matters!
( I need to make the distinction clear. Here at the Bum, there are no cigar/pipe snobs ) but they are other places trust me. We are here to help you get the most out of the experience, not shame you because you like Captain Black, as an example.

Some quick tips:
Siping is better than big draws, keeps the ember on top going without everything under it going sour. It also helps build cake and helps reduce the chance of a burn through.
Understand loose cut will pack differently than a flake, etc…
When tamping, let the weight of the tool do most of the work, don’t press down “packing” it as you smoke. Just gently press the ember down so it continues to burn.
Learn a method of packing that works for you.
Don’t be afraid to try something new, or circle back around to something you didn’t like at first. I HATED Latakia in any form when I first started, now love it.

And also of upmost importance, enjoy yourself, 1/2 of the relaxing aspect of pipe smoking is the method/process of getting it cleaned, packed, and ready to light.

HTH!

---

Good info.thanks

I think I'm starting to get the hang of it, but there's lots more to it compared to Cigars for sure

I friggin love cigars

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jrfoxx

Good info.thanks

I think I'm starting to get the hang of it, but there's lots more to it compared to Cigars for sure

I friggin love cigars

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There is, but like I mentioned that’s part of the relaxation aspect of it. Fiddling with the pipe, cleaning it after each smoke, packing your favorite blend, it’s detail oriented, but in a great way imho.

If you have ANY questions, just ask, that’s what we are all here for.

One other suggestions,
Keep a log of the blends you like/don’t like atm. Find out what type of mix it is, and you will start learning if you prefer, Burley, Virginia, Latakia, or the mix thereof, etc…

Let me find a site that breaks down pretty much every tobacco on the market. I’ll post it asap, it was VERY helpful to me in the beginning. It also helped me figure out what I was more likely going to enjoy, based on what I had tried already.

Just give me a bit, I lost the bookmark when I upgraded my tablet and phone.

Try this one for now, I honestly can’t remember the name of the one I used, but this “seems” similar

If it’s not up to the task, let me know and I’ll find another for you 👍🏻

https://www.tobaccoreviews.com/

Awesome, thanks.

The log seems like a good idea. Will repurpose my notepad that mostly sits I a drawer forgotten

I friggin love cigars

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LazyLightning

Try this one for now, I honestly can’t remember the name of the one I used, but this “seems” similar

If it’s not up to the task, let me know and I’ll find another for you [emoji1303]

https://www.tobaccoreviews.com/

---

No link in post, lol

Weird, no link in your post, but it appears when I quoted you

I friggin love cigars

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jrfoxx

No link in post, lol

Weird, no link in your post, but it appears when I quoted you

I friggin love cigars

---

Yea sorry,
Forgot to put it in, then had a quick edit. My mistake 😆

It happens, lol

I friggin love cigars

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by LazyLightning

Hey Sean,
Most important, smoke what you like…don’t worry if some non Bum pipe snob says you’re smoking garbage. If YOU enjoy it, THAT’S all that matters!
( I need to make the distinction clear. Here at the Bum, there are no cigar/pipe snobs ) but they are other places trust me. We are here to help you get the most out of the experience, not shame you because you like Captain Black, as an example.

Some quick tips:
Siping is better than big draws, keeps the ember on top going without everything under it going sour. It also helps build cake and helps reduce the chance of a burn through.
Understand loose cut will pack differently than a flake, etc…
When tamping, let the weight of the tool do most of the work, don’t press down “packing” it as you smoke. Just gently press the ember down so it continues to burn.
Learn a method of packing that works for you.
Don’t be afraid to try something new, or circle back around to something you didn’t like at first. I HATED Latakia in any form when I first started, now love it.

And also of upmost importance, enjoy yourself, 1/2 of the relaxing aspect of pipe smoking is the method/process of getting it cleaned, packed, and ready to light.

HTH!

---

Couldn't have said it any better myself. Smoke your pace, your choice of tobacco and how you smoke it. There is no right way or wrong but only what works for you.
Don't be afraid to experiment