Zeraph

I wasn't sure where to put this, but since its a 'ask for and gather info thread' thought it might fit here.

Anyone else here a pipe smoker (tobacco)?

I know the risks, but with how I feel (I have crippling depression) its totally worth it. I love the head high and after affects and the smell and...everything about it. Its just fun. The little tool to pack it, discovering new blends, etc.

So far, I've tried captain black and john kent #7. Both good, I recommend the latter.

I also recommend cleaning your pipe regularly (some people don't like too) as you get a better draw.

I am still at the stage where packing and lighting and keeping it lit can be a problem. But I get it half the time.

I just found this store near me that has over a dozen mixes and lets you try free samples in the store! I'm so excited to go back.

So anyone else smoke a pipe? had a grandfather that used to and miss it or something?

Share your experiences and especially recommendations on tobacco!

ironpham

I smoke a hookah. Not quite the same I suppose, but I feel you on the reasoning for smoking. As far as flavor goes, I've tried every flavor imaginable. The best flavor I've discovered is the Nakhla brand of lemon.

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Zeraph

Actually they are pretty close. But lemon, really?! Explain more please. That just doesn't sound right for a smoke.

ironpham

Well I think there is a difference in the tobacco smoked through a pipe and a hookah. Tobacco for a hookah is generally coated in a fruit flavored molasses. Of course there are plenty of exceptions (vanilla, chocolate, rose, etc.). You can get unflavored too, but it tastes like ass. Most of the fruits are pretty good, but to me, lemon has this freshness that stands out. Most of the people that I introduced lemon to said the same thing as you. They usually come out surprised and agree that it's the best or at least among the best.

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Wes Mantooth

I've been a pipe smoker for...jesus..going on 15 years now, not a regular smoker but I love a bowl every now and now then when I get the urge. I could probably recommend a TON of good tobaccos, I've collecting and aging them for years but I've developed a few favs along the way. Off the top of my head...

Old Gowrie - simple mix of Virginia and Perique put out by Rattray, nothing fancy but the flavor and smell are wonderful. I've never met anybody who hasn't fallen in love with this stuff after one bowlful.

Nightcap - I'm not sure if this is available in the states anymore (which is a crying shame....thankfully I've got a ton of it in the old pipe cupboard) but if you can find it, try it. If you LOVE Latakia, you'll love this blend.

Penzance - Amazing!

Old Companion - Great burley mix...if you love the smell of Granpa's pipe this will be right up your alley.

Carter Hall - Drug store smoke but pretty good for a simple cub cut burley. If you want to stuff a corn cub full of tobacco and smoke all day you can't go wrong with this stuff. Cheap and tasty.

Captain Black - C'mon its just a classic

Anyway you should be able to find all of the above at any self respecting tobacco shop (minus the nightcap) but some can get a little expensive...Old Gowrie for example is around $25 for 100g tin...hard to justify that sometimes but it is a damn fine smoke.

I'm not sure what got me into the hobby, my father and grandfather both smoked one but it was never really a nostalgia thing for me. I guess being a cigarette smoker I started trying different things, did (and still do sometimes) the cigar thing for awhile, got tired of it and moved on to pipes. It seemed every time I turned around I discovered some new pipe that I fell in love with another blend I become obsessed with and the hobby just took.

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Martian

I smoke custom blends from my tobacconist. Right now I'm smoking black cavendish, but I prefer to try a new blend each time I buy more.

Captain Black is a good go-to tobacco, but there are much better out there.

Packing your pipe takes practice. There's no real shortcut. Just remember the three tamp method, and you'll get it down eventually.

Oh, and clean your pipe after every smoke. No exceptions. You don't want it to sour on you.

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I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept
I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept
I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head
I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said

- Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

Zeraph

I'm starting to really realize that.

(just random video he has sooo many)

He recommends you don't clean it out. But then he uses a different pipe like every time (has like 50)

Martian

You should allow your pipe to rest for at least 24 hours between smokes regardless of whether you clean it or not. This may dictate a functional minimum number of pipes you'll need. I tend to use an n+1 rule -- so if I smoke twice per day, I should have three pipes. Since in practice I generally only smoke once per day and have three pipes I'm in good shape there. When I was unemployed I smoked more often, since I had more time, but there's no such thing as too many pipes.

If your pipe does sour (and you'll know when it happens) you will want to rest it for at least a week. You can get pipe treatments, but they're not recommended since they generally just mask the problem rather than fix it.

There's an argument to be made that not cleaning your pipe will allow the cake to build up faster, but a consistent cake is as important if not moreso than a thick one. In fact, if your cake is too thick it can cause problems of it's own. There's also the matter of all the unpleasant crud that builds up in the shank and stem; pipe tobacco is still tobacco and still contains all the nastiness that we all hear about tobacco containing. It'll clog up your stem if you don't run a pipe cleaner through it regularly.

So I don't care what random youtube guy says. Clean your pipe.

Pipes don't have to be expensive. You can get corncobs for less than $10 and they're perfectly serviceable. If you insist on briars estate pipes are also generally able to be had for cheap, though I'd avoid any that need work unless you have experience in that area.

I've had flavoured tobaccos -- peach, orange, vanilla, chocolate -- but I don't prefer them. A nice aromatic is my tobacco of preference. My favourite to date is a house blend called Khyber Pass. Unfortunately unless you're willing to come to Toronto you won't be able to get it.

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I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept
I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept
I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head
I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said

- Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

Zeraph

After more experience I completely endorse and agree that cleaning out the bowl is a good thing. I wouldn't use chemicals or anything. But one pipe (my original) that went sour, I fixed with soaking in whiskey for several days. And then letting dry for a week.

ellie

I've been really interested in hookahs for quite some time now. I received a free sample of peach-flavored stuff in the mail. Came when I went on an 'order free samples online' rampage. Amazing what'll show up in your mailbox! Anyways, there's a hookah smokers' lounge not too far from me. But I'm scared to go in there since I wouldn't know what the hell I was doing lol. Maybe I'll get brave some day soon!

Zeraph

You should try it, maybe it'll make you horny (probably not but worth looking into. This is from your other thread unless I'm mixing you up with someone).

Also, usually fine smokers (such as cigars, pipes, and hookahs) are very friendly. Just go in smile, and say I'm a new here. Many people will probably scramble to give you advice.

The other possibility is to go to a big antique store. They often sell em for half the price (like 20$).

animosity

I am glad I am not the only one considering picking up this habit. I have never been a fan of cigarets, but I used to smoke cigars on occasion. I keep running across pipes here and there. It makes me want to try it out. I could use an upper every once in a while.