Greetings from South Carolina...

[GRAY GHOST]

As I sit here and introduce myself via keyboard, I am puffing away on Boswell's Christmas Cookie...my garage has never smelled so good!--ha.  This is where my wife sends me to smoke on cold evenings.

It's been a few years since I've picked up my pipe, having devoted more time and energy in recent times to cigars.  However, I've decided to get back into pipes and find BoB as a great place to assist in this journey.  After SEVERAL relights this evening, I realize that I need help, so I'm glad I've got a wealth of folks to learn from.  Rather than simply lurk about as a guest, I figured I'd set up a profile and try to join in conversation where I can!

I'm into aromatics and so far have limited my experience to Boswell and Pipeworks & Wilke blends.  I've got 3 briars and 1 meer to my name, so my rotation is somewhat ready...

 

[PozzSka]

Welcome to the BoB!!

Take off your shoes and stay a while.

 

[rothnh]

I'm into aromatics and so far have limited my experience to Boswell and Pipeworks & Wilke blends.  I've got 3 briars and 1 meer to my name, so my rotation is somewhat ready...

Welcome to Brothers of Briar, Gray!

If you're really into aromatics, I personally don't believe you can do better that Carole Burns at Pipeworks & Wilke or J.M and Dan at Boswell's.

There are some other great aromatics out there, but IMO, none better.

 

[SteveS]

Welcome aboard, GG ...

Not an aro smoker myself, but in my experience, you can't go wrong following recommendations from rothnh (see above) ...

 

[Briar Spirit]

Nice to meet you, welcome to BoB.  :cheers: :sunny: 

 

[pepesdad1]

Welcome to the Brotherhood.

Like aros?..Try 4-Noggins Lord Methley and 4-Noggins Killington, P&C has Brigadier Black Alamo another great aro.




You won't find a better place to be or better people to do it with than right here at BoB.

 

[DrT999]

Welcome t o BoB! I hope you enjoy your time here

"T"

 

[herbinedave]

Welcome, stick around and learn and enjoy!

 

[Growley]

Welcome!

You asked for some help, so I'll see if I can share the little bit of knowledge I with you. If you're into aromatics, they're most likely going to be just a bit harder to keep lit in general. They are more moist, topped, cased and all sorts of things to make them smell better. These things also can make them harder to keep lit. I used to smoke mine way too hot just to keep them lit, but this causes all manner of problems.

While constant relighting can be frustrating, don't let that mystical theory of a 2-light smoke get you down. Just light it as often as needed, don't be embarrassed about it and just enjoy. My favorite part about pipe smoking is that it isn't a sport based on performance and statistics. It's for relaxation and enjoyment.

For lighting, a two-step process is pretty common. Light it up for the first time, being sure to stoke it well and get the majority of the top tobacco lit. After it goes out, tamp it down and re-light. This should keep you lit for a while.

For packing, there are things that can be done to help your smoking process go well. Packing a pipe well is important. If it's too tight, it won't stay lit, and if it's too loose, it won't stay lit either. I try to think of it like a campfire. It needs some air, but the flame also needs to reach other unlit pieces. Frequent light tamping helps me out a lot. I tamp lightly often, always drawing on my pipe while I'm doing so. This essentially stokes your flame and pushes new tobacco towards it to be lit. There are a number of methods people use to pack their pipes. I personally just take the amount of tobacco I'm going to put in the pipe and put it in all at once. For me, I want one single mass of tobacco evenly placed in the chamber.

If the pipe gurgles, you can run a pipe cleaner through it to draw the moisture out. This will help continued smoking to go better. I personally don't think a pipe should gurgle, but don't get me started on that   

Also, some people take the time to air dry a bit of tobacco prior to lighting up. I'm not that disciplined, but I can see where that would help as well.

Poke around here some and you'll find all kinds of great advice about lighting, packing and so on.

Best of luck on your next bowl!

Brian.

 

[GRAY GHOST]

Thanks for the welcome...and for the advice---much appreciated!  I've already read countless posts on this forum and have managed to learn something from just about every thread I've encountered.  There's much wisdom out there among you.  Looking forward to the journey.

 

[flyguy]

Welcome to BoB, Ghost! Aromatic smokers are quite welcome here!

 

[AJ]

Welcome to the BoB. Glad to have you on board.   

AJ

 

[Brewdude]

Welcome to BoB sir!


Cheers,

RR

 

[docwatson]

Welcome to the forum. And the ID Gray Ghost, does that pertain to your hair color? or are you a fly fisherman??
Just curious.  

 

[GRAY GHOST]

Welcome to the forum. And the ID Gray Ghost, does that pertain to your hair color? or are you a fly fisherman??
Just curious.  

Well it wouldn't be my hair color, as I'm completely bald! Actually, my last name is 'Gray' and military history interests me...During The Civil War, the nickname 'Gray Ghost' was given to Confederate John S. Mosby (Mosby's Rangers). Using irregular tactics (guerrilla warfare), he led a band of partisan rangers against Union forces.

I'm an Army Infantry veteran (27 months in Afghanistan), earning a Ranger Tab during my service. I thought 'Gray Ghost' sounded cool, so I adopted it here.

 

[docwatson]

Thanks for the clarification regarding your ID.
Congrats and Thank You for serving our Country you are one of the chosen that deserve recognition.
I have read about "the Gray Ghost", and it didn't come to mind until after I posted my inquiry.
In present time I use "the gray ghost fly" to ply the waters in search of trout and salmon.
Welcome aboard soldier.
  

 

[Hawker]

Welcome aboard Gray Ghost. I also enjoy Boswell's Xmas Cookie and have found that giving it a little dry time before packing with the frank method makes for a dry cool smoke. Also use caution not to pack to tightly.

 

[Dramatwist]

As I sit here and introduce myself via keyboard, I am puffing away on Boswell's Christmas Cookie...my garage has never smelled so good!--ha.  This is where my wife sends me to smoke on cold evenings.

It's been a few years since I've picked up my pipe, having devoted more time and energy in recent times to cigars.  However, I've decided to get back into pipes and find BoB as a great place to assist in this journey.  After SEVERAL relights this evening, I realize that I need help, so I'm glad I've got a wealth of folks to learn from.  Rather than simply lurk about as a guest, I figured I'd set up a profile and try to join in conversation where I can!

I'm into aromatics and so far have limited my experience to Boswell and Pipeworks & Wilke blends.  I've got 3 briars and 1 meer to my name, so my rotation is somewhat ready...

Welcome aboard. This really is a nice place...