Frustrations With New Pipe

[scottbtdmb]

I recently purchased a 1950's era unsmoked E Wilke Pot from vtpipes.com. Bear in mind, most of the pipes I have bought during the past year have been estate pieces so I am not accustomed to the break-in period. So far I have smoked about 10 bowls out of the pipe, all of which have been half bowl packs. The pipe is still smoking really hot and at times I have noticed a lot of gurgling going on as well. Should I be pessimistic at this point that this pipe just doesn't smoke well? Any advice on what to do to improve the smoking experience? Hopefully, just a little time and patience is needed on my behalf. Any advice would be appreciated though!

-Scott

 

[puros_bran]

Keep smoking it, it'll come around..

 

[Sasquatch]

Do you have experience with pots? They require different packing and lighting techniques to work at their best. At their best, pots are fantastic, but they can be awful.

I suggest you forego the half bowls. Pack the pot with a cannonball of tobacco. Light it well, light it thoroughly, and smoke it as slow as you can.

 

[Amenhotep04]

To echo Sasquatch's sentiments, I find that I cannot smoke my pipes all the same. Many of them have distinct personalities, and so I have to smoke them accordingly. So while I like to smoke a certain way, some of the pipes don't allow it, so I alter the style of smoking, tobacco, what I'm doing, to match the pipe. In other words, smoking a pipe is a dialogue between you and the pipe.

:farao:

 

[scottbtdmb]

Thanks to all who have provided sound advice thus far. Actually, I do own a Barling EXEXEL Fossil Pot, which smoked like a dream from the first bowl on, but it was used unlike this Wilke. I will forego the "half bowls" though and pack it up to the brim from now on. I tend to smoke a lot of Balkan blends, so I am used to packing a little lighter. I will certainly try the "cannonball" packing suggestion and see how she smokes. Thanks again!

-Scott