I may be done with pipes

[gonefishing]

I may have jumped in the deep end boys! Cigars=easy Pipes=hard After accumulating 9 pipes and about 50 tins and some large samples from Natch, I have decided this may be the end :shock: I can't keep a pipe lit, it's wet, I have spent too many hours to count reading, trying to learn and for ****. :no: I get maybe 3 puffs and gone nothing. I have smoked it moist, dry, very dry, and even OTC's..... nothing. I have lit it a lot, a little, and in-between.....nothing. This is so nerve racking hobby ever.....well maybe golf Any advice before I sell everything and go back to my Padron's? I don't think I have one more bowl in me :x

 

[Centurian 803]

The only advice I can give is DON'T GIVE UP!!!!!! Do you have a friend or aquaintance who can mentor you through it? It really is worth the effort to get past the learning curve.

 

[Justpipes]

I guess it has to be something that you really want, because I just don't see it as that difficult.

 

[gonefishing]

I wish I had a mentor They all smoke cigars and I am in the boondocks of SD. No B&M, within 100 miles and that is a cigar place

 

[gonefishing]

I guess it has to be something that you really want, because I just don't see it as that difficult.

Really want huh? It is a hobby, I worked in the military......I don't want it that bad I guess :roll: Maybe if there was like more money at the end of the rainbow, I would "want" it more :shock: Poker payed off though

 

[Justpipes]

I guess it has to be something that you really want, because I just don't see it as that difficult.

Really want huh? It is a hobby, I worked in the military......I don't want it that bad I guess :roll: Maybe if there was like more money at the end of the rainbow, I would "want" it more :shock: Poker payed off though

Honestly, you probably just need to try some John Middleton Walnut and I believe you troubles would be over.

 

[Anonymous]

You have that problem on both extremes -- either packed way too loose, or way too tight. Either error will get you that result.

PLAY with it. Repeatedly doing it the same way will only get you more of the same result.

It's never going to behave like a cigar.

Re-lights are nothing to feel bad about.

A big draw and then another, thirty seconds later is not the way to go. Nurse it with more frequent, shallower sips.

Pipes are interactive.

Let it show you how it likes to be treated 8)

:face:

 

[gonefishing]

You have that problem on both extremes -- either packed way too loose, or way too tight. Either error will get you that result.

PLAY with it. Repeatedly doing it the same way will only get you more of the same result.

It's never going to behave like a cigar.

Re-lights are nothing to feel bad about.

A big draw and then another, thirty seconds later is not the way to go. Nurse it with more frequent, shallower sips.

Pipes are interactive.

Let it show you how it likes to be treated 8)

:face:

Albert Einstein Insanity 8) Nice... I like your style 8) Now if Obama could learn this

 

[gonefishing]

I guess it has to be something that you really want, because I just don't see it as that difficult.

Really want huh? It is a hobby, I worked in the military......I don't want it that bad I guess :roll: Maybe if there was like more money at the end of the rainbow, I would "want" it more :shock: Poker payed off though

Honestly, you probably just need to try some John Middleton Walnut and I believe you troubles would be over.

I was smoking my pipe over a fire pit of Walnut, maybe that is the problem.....the good baccy is getting sick :lol:

 

[Hermit]

I have a load of cigars I'm hot to trade for tobacco.

 

[Doc Manhattan]

Sorry if it's not working out for you right now.

I can't offer concrete advice as well as the wise and experienced fellows here, but two little things--apologies if you've tried these already:

1. A corn cob is, for many new smokers, the most forgiving. For that reason, I also think cobs are good teachers: if good quality tobacco in a cob is giving you a hot, unpleasant smoke, it tells you there's a problem with packing or smoking pace, and you can adjust.

2. Have you tried a blend with a strong cigar leaf flavor? It may not be what you're looking for in a pipe, but with all your cigar experience, you'll at least know when you're "getting it," and apply what's going right to other smokes.

Above all things, you have the luxury of time: you can always mason jar your open tobaccos, put your pipes aside a while (out of the sun is best), and revisit them only when a pipe really seems to strike your mood. It'll be waiting for you.

 

[Joseph76]

If you don't enjoy it, why bother? Pipe smoking isn't for everybody. I'm the opposite, after a dozen years of cigar smoking I re-discovered the pipe and learned how to pack, tamp, light, smoke properly; now I don't really enjoy cigars anymore, I find pipe tobacco far more satisfying on every level.

 

[gonefishing]

Sorry if it's not working out for you right now.

I can't offer concrete advice as well as the wise and experienced fellows here, but two little things--apologies if you've tried these already:

1. A corn cob is, for many new smokers, the most forgiving. For that reason, I also think cobs are good teachers: if good quality tobacco in a cob is giving you a hot, unpleasant smoke, it tells you there's a problem with packing or smoking pace, and you can adjust.

2. Have you tried a blend with a strong cigar leaf flavor? It may not be what you're looking for in a pipe, but with all your cigar experience, you'll at least know when you're "getting it," and apply what's going right to other smokes.

Above all things, you have the luxury of time: you can always mason jar your open tobaccos, put your pipes aside a while (out of the sun is best), and revisit them only when a pipe really seems to strike your mood. It'll be waiting for you.

Thanks Doc! I have tried some of your advice, I actually seem to do better in a briar than a cob for some reason. The cob really gets wet and I get the dreaded black liquid in my mouth :evil:

 

[Anonymous]

Keep a folded-up kleenex handy. Turn your pipe stem-down occasionally & blot that nasty liquid up. The more you get the hang of it (and every freaking tobacco is going to be different -- no one size fits all with pipeweeds as far as packing goes -- especially flakes) the less of it there'll be.

Persistence in a righteous course brings reward
[I Ching]

:face:

 

[Al in Canada]

I may have jumped in the deep end boys! Cigars=easy Pipes=hard After accumulating 9 pipes and about 50 tins and some large samples from Natch, I have decided this may be the end :shock: I can't keep a pipe lit, it's wet, I have spent too many hours to count reading, trying to learn and for ****. :no: I get maybe 3 puffs and gone nothing. I have smoked it moist, dry, very dry, and even OTC's..... nothing. I have lit it a lot, a little, and in-between.....nothing. This is so nerve racking hobby ever.....well maybe golf Any advice before I sell everything and go back to my Padron's? I don't think I have one more bowl in me :x

It sounds to me like a packing problem. But rejoice there is hope. If the pack is too loose the fire will quickly go out, if it is too tight the tobacco when lit will expand with heat and not allow the air to flow...and it will go out.

The first site lists several different methods of filling your pipe:

http://pipesmagazine.com/python/pipe-smoking/tobacco-pipe-packing-methods/

or a keep it simple method:
http://www.mccranies.com/pipes_pleasure.html

And it is worth the effort, when you can get beyond the problem of keeping it lit you will have the joy of seeking your holy grail(s), the perfect blend(s). And so many cigar smokers have told me there are just so many great tasting pipe tobaccos that they couldn't imagine it when they started, and so much cheaper than what their taste in cigars cost them. Even if you decide that aged tins of Balkan Sobranie are the only ones worth smoking it is much less per smoke than a top of the line cigar.

Good luck, relax and enjoy your pipe,

Al (in Canada)

 

[gandalfpc]

At the first hint of a gurgle either hit it with a quick pipe cleaner or gently blow to push the accumulated moisture towards the hot ember

If you build up lots of moisture it may be from exhaling through the pipe too much or from smoking the pipe too hot. It should stay cool enough so that it is not uncomfortable to the touch. Cool enough to hold against you cheek for the most part

Great links mentioned - all I can add is:

1) loose at the bottom of the bowl and tighter on top is crucial and is the drive of all the packing methods. This is because the bowl is a small furnace and will suffocate without the drafts in the bowl caused by the warm loose lower layer - at least that's how I understand it

2) pack to just below rim, false light, tamp back to just below rim, repeat until well lit, then only tamp -very lightly- just to compress the ash, not to compress the tobacco - which would ruin your loose bottom layer - unless you need to tighten it up a bit of course, which is par for the course at the very end, or needed if you packed a bit too loose to begin with

3) always draw while you tamp, you will learn from the change in air resistance how much is too much

4) in the three step method the first packing and tamping will create zero air resistance, with the final third packing providing gentle resistance

5) much easier to keep lit when you mostly sip from the pipe, sipping and breath smoking with the occasional puffs. If mostly puffing you will need good timing to keep lit without overheating -

6) if puffing, about 30 seconds between puffs should work best, with one or two puffs, never three. Some pipes will last for several minutes between puffs if packed well, such as a calabash.

 

[gkhanna74]

15 years ago, I almost gave up the pipe as well for the same reason(couldn't keep it lit long enough). However, this all changed when I : 1) learned the optimal way to load the pipe with tobacco, and 2) "opened" the air channel on my pipes. My frustration ceased. When loading a bowl, I basically leave an "air pocket" at the bottom of the bowl, so that the draw is unrestricted. I began to "open" my pipes (especially the nouthpieces on my bents) so that I didn't have to work so hard to keep the embers glowing.

It is possible -- I would stick with it

 

[happypipester]

The advice given so far has been great, and there's not a lot I can add, but I want to say good luck, and keep trying! It may take awhile to find what works best for you with pipes, but it is worth the effort...

There are some pretty good "how to smoke a pipe" videos on youtube, so perhaps checking out some of them would be helpful? Seeing someone actually packing, lighting and smoking a pipe can really be helpful IMHO.

Just me 2 cents worth, best wishes!
HP

 

[gandalfpc]

Happy's right - I learned all I needed to know in two days with YouTube when I set out.

Search for pipe packing methods, tobacco pipe tips, tobacco pipe lighting

You will soon fing a YouTube member with a bunch of videos whose style you like with priceless info

 

[gonefishing]

Thanks for all the replies and links, advice, words of wisdom (Yak), and encouragement! I will read some more, and watch some videos and report back