Pipe Smokers?

**Bryan** · 2nd February 08, 06:36 PM

Hey if anyone has any questions regarding pipe smoking or tobacco, just ask. I run a tobacco store and have worked in the industry nine years now and am myself a pipe smoker. Regarding info you find on the net, don't believe everything you read, but feel free to ask me.

**berserkbishop** · 2nd February 08, 10:44 PM

Originally Posted by ccga3359

Now that is what I call traditional customer service. However I'm a little disconcerted with this being your first time smoking a pipe. Is it that you're switching from cigarettes or are you non-smoker thinking that a pipe will make you look debonair? I'm all for smoker's rights and think that the non-smoking establishment have gone way overboard but I'll also strongly discourage anyone from starting the habit in the first place.

Well, thanks for the concern but I am not new to smoking. I started smoking cigars with buddies a few years back on occasion. Always just loved the smell and taste of cigars. I only smoked one every couple of months back then. Later my life got much more stressful and my job did as well. Everyone I worked with smoked cigarettes on our breaks. I figured I was taking in enough second hand to kill me so I might as well get some first hand. Cigarettes became a habit from that point. As soon as I quit that job and moved to my current residence, I stopped smoking cigarettes and switched back to the occasional cigar. I have always loved the smell of a burning pipe tobacco so I thought I would substitute my occasional cigar with the occasional pipe. I hope that puts your mind at ease. I am by no means an addict or anything. I think last year I smoked 3 times, and I mean smoking anything. I just like to unwind if its been a particularly stressful day or whatever. Anyway, I hope that puts your mind at ease.

Bishop

**Bryan** · 3rd February 08, 08:22 AM

Originally Posted by Phil

The best pipes I ever smoked were the Peterson "system" bent ones and I wouldn't recommend anyone trying to start with a cheap pipe.

Actually, I have to disagree with you on that one point. Starting on a cheaper machine made pipe is the recommended way to start pipe smoking. First, there is a fine art to smoking a pipe and it takes the average person a few days to a few weeks to get it right. If done improperly, you can burn a hole straight through the bowl. Secondly, some people just don't take to pipe smoking. They try the pipe and it disagrees with them. I know, why would anyone NOT like pipe smoking?? But it happens.

You said you like the Peterson. Have you ever smoked any Danish pipes? My favorite pipe is a Nording Signature (it's a nude freehand) given to me by the pipe maker himself. It smokes like a dream!!

**CEF** · 3rd February 08, 10:37 AM

Ah, those hazy far off days.
I used to smoke Cigarettes, cigars, and a pipe, not all at once of course.
I gave up 5 years ago, I got bronchitis that I couldent shift for 2 months, by the time I was fit again I felt that I shoud try keep going and not light up again.
I have a lot of friends who can pick up and smoke at will then not bother for weeks, with me it was all or nothing.
My pipes though I kept, they reside in an old tankerd next to the stove, my two favourite's were a a Peterson, and 100 year old pipe with its own case an old gentleman gave me, lovely walnut bowl with an amber stem, I just coulcend part with them.
Regards
Cef

**RakesOfMallow** · 4th February 08, 07:02 PM

Just received my new Peterson in the post today, and better yet, my tobacco from Cup O' Joes came last Saturday! I only packed the bowl half way (as was the recommendation in an earlier post) and started the breaking in process. Looks like the bow is already carboned, but I'm going to take it really easy at first. Thanks for the info!

Cheers,

Tom

**berserkbishop** · 4th February 08, 11:10 PM

Here are the pipes MacMillan of Rathdown sent me all cleaned up and shiny! The one on the right looks really cool from the top because it is meerschaum (sp?) lined. I didnt get a pic of that one though. I have only smoked the Ropp on the left and love it. Thanks again MacMillan!

BB

**Phil** · 5th February 08, 01:45 AM

Originally Posted by Bryan

Actually, I have to disagree with you on that one point. Starting on a cheaper machine made pipe is the recommended way to start pipe smoking. First, there is a fine art to smoking a pipe and it takes the average person a few days to a few weeks to get it right. If done improperly, you can burn a hole straight through the bowl. Secondly, some people just don't take to pipe smoking. They try the pipe and it disagrees with them. I know, why would anyone NOT like pipe smoking?? But it happens.

You said you like the Peterson. Have you ever smoked any Danish pipes? My favorite pipe is a Nording Signature (it's a nude freehand) given to me by the pipe maker himself. It smokes like a dream!!

Nope - gave up the habit a few years ago now. The only cheaper sort of pipe that didn't burn your tongue and give you a mouthful of dregs was the Falcon with a metal stem and interchangeable bowls. I am just saying I knew a few people who tried pipe smoking but couldn't stick it out for long and they all used the cheapest pipes they could find.

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 5th February 08, 02:14 PM

Originally Posted by berserkbishop

Here are the pipes MacMillan of Rathdown sent me all cleaned up and shiny! The one on the right looks really cool from the top because it is meerschaum (sp?) lined. I didnt get a pic of that one though. I have only smoked the Ropp on the left and love it. Thanks again MacMillan!

BB

You are more than welcome! It seems you are a good and worthy custodian of all this stuff I'm unpacking after twenty-odd years in Ireland. If I find anything else cool I'll pass it along.
Best Regards!

**berserkbishop** · 5th February 08, 11:54 PM

Originally Posted by MacMillan of Rathdown

You are more than welcome! It seems you are a good and worthy custodian of all this stuff I'm unpacking after twenty-odd years in Ireland. If I find anything else cool I'll pass it along.
Best Regards!

I am happy that you approve and I am very proud of that kilt! Its going to another Burn's supper this weekend! I hope to get more pics than I was able to last time as I just found my digi camera. Anyway, 20 years in Ireland?

BB

**cacunn** · 7th February 08, 09:24 AM

I can remember a pouch I had about 30 years ago and from a quick web search on pipe pouches they still exist; it had a pocket accessed through the top that would hold tobacco, a zippered pocket on the bottom that would hold the pipe. The second pocket would only hold a straight stemmed pipe. A third small zipper pocket on the side would hold tamper, matches, pipe cleaner etc. For a general carry all I liked it.

For a tamper I found a metal cork screw at Bookstone, which had a bottle opener and cork screw. It was/is one where you unscrewed the cover over the screw inserted it into the head of the screw to make the handle. A real multi tasker, I could open a wine bottle, open a beer or soda bottle, tamp my pipe and use the screw to clean the bowl of the pipe.

I also had (have somewhere) a rather large bent pipe with a bowl that I thing you could put a quarter into the opening. I like the pipe but was inexpensive and the hole from the stem to the bowl was not well aligned. One day at the local pipe shop I found a small ceramic button that was designed to go into the bottom of pipe bowls to absorb some of the moisture. Naturally it was too small for this pipe. Not to be stopped and since I worked in a hobby ceramic shop I made my own out of a little clay. Once the clay was fired it worked fine and the pipe smoked a lot better.

I loved the pipe because when you needed to pause and think before answering a question, no one seem to think the delay as you loaded and started you pipe was inappropriate.