Sooooo, a newb question....

[Kyle Weiss]

The way I've read it is tounge bite is really tounge burn from pipe steam settling on the tounge while drawing. That bits such as Peterson p-lips divert the steam away from the tounge.

Not to be too terribly contrary, but I believe tongue bite and tongue burn are two separate issues (with similar symptoms), as I understand them:

Tongue bite: effect of mouth chemistry, tobacco chemistry (usually alkalinity) and the interaction and solubility of the two in an unpleasant fashion while smoking--usually due to chance/unfamiliarity with tobacco mix, or could be a new smoker's form of "weak tongue."

Tongue burn: effect of hot steam actually searing the tongue itself while smoking, either from an improperly-packed pipe, two strong a draw, or too dry a tobacco, issues of openness of the airway of the pipe (and not knowing how to control it properly) or a combination of any of those things compounded.

8)

 

[jlong]

I agree with that Kyle.

 

[monbla256]

Are you speaking specifically of the somewhat leathery "dryness" post smoke, that can even continue 12 hours later?

If so, that still happens to me, especially if I have two bowls in a sitting, or even a day.

The term "astringent" is a very subjective one (go figure...) so it's tough to point out exactly what you mean. Is it a chemical taste or just a mouth feeling?

I know when I'm around too much Perique I get some pretty hefty chemical taste I don't like that I had to attribute to the fact I don't like the stuff in huge amounts. The flavor won't go away for hours and hours, even with food and drink.

I recall a similar problem when I started to smoke a pipe 40 years ago, especially after I went to just "English" style of tobacco's and it was due to the AMOUNT of tobacco I was smoking, not really the TYPE. You did not mention how long you have been smoking, nor how many bowls a day you smoke. I think you will find that these two factors have a lot to due with what you are asking about. Everyone's mouth, tongue and nostrils reacts to tobacco in different manners, some less accepting to some types and amounts of these types of tobacco than others. As much as i like the taste of most straight Virginia's, nor how slowly I smoke them, my tongue and mouth don't work with them well so I don't smoke as much of them at any one time, and usually try to keep them to some sort of blend with several varieties and then only once a week at the most! Try cutting back some as well as changing types of blends as well as some of the ideas given as to hydration of your mouth while smoking given here. Remeber, the whole idea is PLEASURE in this habit, not quantity or strength. If 1 to 2 bowls a day of a blend is the most PLEASURABLE for you, then that's what you need to do ! RELAX and ENJOY

 

[Kyle Weiss]

I recall a similar problem when I started to smoke a pipe 40 years ago, especially after I went to just "English" style of tobacco's and it was due to the AMOUNT of tobacco I was smoking, not really the TYPE. You did not mention how long you have been smoking, nor how many bowls a day you smoke. I think you will find that these two factors have a lot to due with what you are asking about. Everyone's mouth, tongue and nostrils reacts to tobacco in different manners, some less accepting to some types and amounts of these types of tobacco than others. As much as i like the taste of most straight Virginia's, nor how slowly I smoke them, my tongue and mouth don't work with them well so I don't smoke as much of them at any one time, and usually try to keep them to some sort of blend with several varieties and then only once a week at the most! Try cutting back some as well as changing types of blends as well as some of the ideas given as to hydration of your mouth while smoking given here. Remeber, the whole idea is PLEASURE in this habit, not quantity or strength. If 1 to 2 bowls a day of a blend is the most PLEASURABLE for you, then that's what you need to do ! RELAX and ENJOY

You speak the truth in full, sir.

It was a simple matter of "weak tongue," and this problem has since been solved by both time and experience (which doesn't take long).