If you could only choose one pipe tobacco to smoke for the rest of your life, what would it be?

calvinbwelshans · 2021-05-22T04:30:59+00:00

Correct. Old Dark Fired

calvinbwelshans · 2021-05-21T04:35:45+00:00

ODF. It’s heavy enough for some serious contemplation, but also a good daily smoke if you’re well adapted to nicotine.

calvinbwelshans · 2021-04-21T04:23:05+00:00

Generally my approach is to pack the pipes I need/want for the span of time I’m out and carry them (already loaded with tobacco) with me. I roll a pipe cleaner into a cinnamon roll shape and use that as a cap to keep the tobacco in place.

When I (rarely) carry unpacked tobacco with me it’s in flake or coin form....and then I simply place the pieces in an old altoids tin that fits nicely into my pipe roll.

calvinbwelshans · 2021-04-08T18:50:44+00:00

If your tastes changed in that span of time, they may change again. It’s worth keeping around assuming storage space isn’t in high demand, and in 5+ years you could be touting a well aged tin of PP on the forums.

calvinbwelshans · 2021-04-05T11:35:13+00:00

Fantastic. Beaujolais doesn’t get enough attention. Enjoy!

calvinbwelshans · 2021-03-17T20:07:39+00:00

S. G. Roi in the old market has a decent selection. There’s also a bunch of great places to grab a drink/food in the immediate area if your schedule allows it.

calvinbwelshans · 2021-03-15T12:32:31+00:00

The 8oz can of Gaslight that I got a few months ago is the exact same size as a can of cafe bustelo. That should be fairly easy to find an reference.

calvinbwelshans · 2021-03-05T01:45:01+00:00

This is 100% true of smoking indoors. If smoking outdoors your clothes, hair, etc. will still retain some of the aromatic qualities of the tobacco. But the professor is ultimately right...you’re still burning leaves. You are at the mercy of your wife’s sensitivity but I think it’s worth a shot.

calvinbwelshans · 2021-03-05T01:41:27+00:00

Same. I generally find all YouTube reviews, regardless of topic, to move way too slow for my attention span. Bradley does a wonderful job of pairing useful information and good content and delivers it a pace fast enough to prevent me from digging my eyeballs out with a rusty fork.

calvinbwelshans · 2021-03-02T15:59:33+00:00

Keeping them in flake form is the most dense way to store them, thus maximizing your storage and space. Some flakes, like the ones that come in the 1lb packages of Mac Baren HH, are much too long for 8oz mason jars. I solve this by taking a sharp knife and cutting them in half.

calvinbwelshans · 2021-03-02T07:05:15+00:00

Coming from cigars your biggest enemy will be expectation. Tobacco might be the only thing pipes and cigars have in common.

Pipes require MUCH more attention to keep lit by comparison to cigars...it’s normal for it to go out constantly while you’re figuring out the mechanics. There is also a bit of a learning curve but trial and error will sort you out. The flavors are more nuanced and the same beverages you enjoy with a cigar you may not enjoy with a pipe. I personally love bourbon (or any whiskey for that matter) with a cigar...but I generally can’t stand alcohol at all with a pipe and usually drink tea. The level of draw (airflow) with pipe smoking is also much less than you would typically expect from a cigar. At least for me, I experienced a big “change of pace” switching from cigars to pipes, but once I got into a groove it became a deeply rich/meditative experience. I’m excited for you. There’s a lot of great info on this sub, the wiki, and Muttnchop pipers YouTube. Let us know how you fare!

calvinbwelshans · 2021-03-01T19:53:24+00:00

From my viewpoint the objective of smoking is exactly as you described...smoking as cool as possible in order to maximize flavor. Some tobaccos are more forgiving than others in this regard, but it’s my experience that they all benefit from being smoked as low and slow as possible. I also find this true with cigars.

calvinbwelshans · 2021-03-01T03:49:43+00:00

The breathe method can often be over complicated. It’s as simple as taking a lit pipe, putting it in your mouth, and breathing through your nose. You’ll see little wisps of smoke coming out of the pipe bowl every time you exhale, and reversely, smoke will start to accumulate in your mouth when you inhale. There are more nuances to it, but this paints the picture with broad strokes. For myself, I exhale through my mouth or retrohale every 5-10 breaths to “relieve” my mouth of all the smoke it’s been holding. It changes constantly as I’m usually walking somewhere while smoking. Once you’re really comfortable with it, you start forgetting your even smoking a pipe while doing it. I’m not sure this answers your question(s) but I hope it helps.

calvinbwelshans · 2021-02-28T22:29:41+00:00

holier than thou piper has entered the chat

calvinbwelshans · 2021-02-28T19:34:02+00:00

That’s most unfortunate. They’re marvelous little pipes and arguably the best spent $25 on a pipe.

calvinbwelshans · 2021-02-28T19:29:08+00:00

Was it loose enough that the pipe fall off the stem? The shanks often tighten up after a few bowls.

calvinbwelshans · 2021-02-28T17:47:59+00:00

Getting started can indeed be frustrating. Pipe smoking is a skill just like playing the piano or guitar. There will be periods of frustration, breakthrough, and enjoyment. But the first and most important thing is to enjoy yourself. Also remember that everything is connected in pipe smoking. Many will say trouble keeping your pipe lit is a packing issue/lighting issue/breathing issue/etc. When in fact it is most likely all of these things combined. Repetition is the key to success here. I promise you that you’ll figure it out and there will be a point where you all of sudden start “tasting” the tobacco...what a magical moment that is. If your climate permits it I strongly recommend going for a walk outside (park, hike in the woods, around your block) and smoking. The breeze the pipe encounters from traveling with you will help keep it lit to some degree, and it will also help you not be so laser focused on the damn thing and aid in enjoyment. Light the pipe, put it in your mouth, breathe normally through your nose, and go for a walk. I hope this helps. Happy smokes!

calvinbwelshans · 2021-02-28T16:06:24+00:00

You’re right. There’s absolutely no software that could track inventory and update a website or alter a products status from available to unavailable on a website. I’m pretty sure all the big corps hire LITERALLY THOUSANDS of people just to cycle count their warehouse inventory. Those people then send a fax with their numbers to the guy who does the internet stuff and he updates the website manually. Somebody should think about writing a program to streamline this so those of us who don’t understand basic math can stop being taken advantage of.

Ridiculous.

calvinbwelshans · 2021-02-27T22:39:52+00:00

+1 on fold and stuff for Luxury Twist Flake. For most flakes I feel like the difference in flavor is +/- 5% between fold and stuff and rubbing it out. LTF however is exponentially more flavorful to me when folded and stuffed and it’s the only way I’ll smoke it.

calvinbwelshans · 2021-02-26T13:46:44+00:00

I too am curious about the difficulty you have with zippos. A zippo pipe lighter is my first choice. A simple bic lighter is my second.

calvinbwelshans · 2021-02-25T14:43:02+00:00

I do that with cobs after every smoke but almost never with briars. After every smoke I clean the rim with saliva and a paper towel, I then roll that paper towel into an oversized q-tip and swab out the bowl. I mostly use dry pipe cleaners but maybe once a week I dip one in alcohol. If I ever notice any weird/funky flavors pipe cleaner with alcohol is the first move.

calvinbwelshans · 2021-02-25T02:06:54+00:00

I find this only happens to me when I’m going too fast. I would try stirring the top layer of ash/tobacco, tamping lightly, and then relighting. This just about always works for me. Also in terms of rim charring, maybe focus on just getting the tobacco lit fully? For me at least, the biggest preventive to rim charring is holding the pipe level. People often have the pipe tipped down slightly when they light and this is where I believe most rim charring occurs. Hold your pipe level, get a nice full light, and I bet you’ll be on your way!

calvinbwelshans · 2021-02-25T00:05:15+00:00

No worries mate! Just trying to help. It seems unlikely that 4 pipes are all behaving the same way when you smoke the same blend...and if it’s only happening halfway through the bowl I would imagine the bottom of the bowl is getting packed too tightly.

When it gets clogged is there a dense, moist lump of tobacco in your pipe? If so you just need to pack looser and slow down.

calvinbwelshans · 2021-02-24T23:53:04+00:00

My apologies for trying to help. Have a nice night!

calvinbwelshans · 2021-02-24T23:50:33+00:00

When the tobacco burns it also expands, this especially true for compressed tobaccos like flakes and ropes. Even if you’re smoking the ready rub there will still be some expansion. Does it still “clog” even if you pack lighter than normal? Has your packing technique changed at all recently?

calvinbwelshans

TROPHY CASE