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Pipe Packing and Smoking techniques: Difference between revisions
Pipe Packing and Smoking techniques (view source)
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=== Material === | === Material === | ||
[[File: | [[File:Costello1_converted.jpg|thumb|[[Castello]] Old Antiquari GG pipe made of '''briar wood''', courtesy of pipes2smoke.com]] | ||
{{Main|Materials and Construction}} | {{Main|Materials and Construction}} | ||
For your first pipe, you'd do well to select one made of [[briar]], the [[Pipe Making|pipe-making]] material most commonly used due to its durability, heat resistance, and pleasing appearance. Other materials such as [[clay]], [[meerschaum]] and [[ | <revive zone="17" align="left" caption="Many thanks to Missouri Meerschaum Company for their Underwriting support" /> | ||
For your first pipe, you'd do well to select one made of [[briar]], the [[Pipe Making|pipe-making]] material most commonly used due to its durability, heat resistance, and pleasing appearance. Other materials such as [[clay]], [[meerschaum]] and [[porcelain]] are also used to make pipes, but these materials are fragile and lack the smoking characteristics and ease of use of briar. [[Materials_and_Construction#Corncob|Corncob]] pipes are the least expensive option for a first pipe, and they are a viable alternative to briar that offers a predictable smoking experience whereas briar pipes very considerably. Potential disadvantages to cobs are they often have very small bowls—the part of the pipe that holds the tobacco—and brittle plastic stems that are quite easy to bite through, although replacement stems are available, and extremely inexpensive. | |||
Most briar pipes have stems made of vulcanite (rubber) or lucite (acrylic). Either material works fine, and stem material is purely a matter of personal choice. Vulcanite is softer, which many find more comfortable, but lucite is more durable and resists oxidation. | Most briar pipes have stems made of vulcanite (rubber) or lucite (acrylic). Either material works fine, and stem material is purely a matter of personal choice. Vulcanite is softer, which many find more comfortable, but lucite is more durable and resists oxidation. | ||
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=== Shape and size === | === Shape and size === | ||
The shape of a pipe is entirely a matter of personal taste. Many pipe smokers prefer pipes that are bent, as they "hang" better, putting less strain on the teeth and jaw. Others prefer straight-stemmed pipes, predominately for aesthetic reasons and that it keeps the smoke out of the eyes, but also because it is easier to insert a pipe cleaner to absorb the condensate that occasionally collects in the shank while smoking. For a detailed study of pipe shapes and pipe anatomy, see [[Materials and Construction] | The shape of a pipe is entirely a matter of personal taste. Many pipe smokers prefer pipes that are bent, as they "hang" better, putting less strain on the teeth and jaw. Others prefer straight-stemmed pipes, predominately for aesthetic reasons and that it keeps the smoke out of the eyes, but also because it is easier to insert a pipe cleaner to absorb the condensate that occasionally collects in the shank while smoking. For a detailed study of pipe shapes and pipe anatomy, see [[Materials and Construction]]. | ||
In terms of size, you'll probably want to avoid very small pipes, as they tend to smoke hot, and very large ones, as they are often harder for a novice to keep lit and may hold too much tobacco to finish comfortably, initially. | In terms of size, you'll probably want to avoid very small pipes, as they tend to smoke hot, and very large ones, as they are often harder for a novice to keep lit and may hold too much tobacco to finish comfortably, initially. | ||
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=== Price === | === Price === | ||
Pipes range in price from a couple of dollars to several thousand; it is recommended that you spend a modest amount for your first pipe. By purchasing a moderately-priced pipe, you will not be out a large sum if you determine that pipe smoking isn't for you. Try not to purchase one of those pipes you may find in plastic bubble packaging at your local discount store if you can avoid it; instead, seek out a good tobacconist and ask for his or her recommendation. Not only will this give you a broader selection from which to choose, but the tobacconist is likely to have some good advice on how to get started. Don't be afraid to tell the shop owner that you're a novice. He or she will figure this out pretty quickly on their own anyway, and it is in their own best interest to help you select a pipe and tobacco that they think you'll enjoy | Pipes range in price from a couple of dollars to several thousand; it is recommended that you spend a modest amount for your first pipe. By purchasing a moderately-priced pipe, you will not be out a large sum if you determine that pipe smoking isn't for you. Try not to purchase one of those pipes you may find in plastic bubble packaging at your local discount store if you can avoid it; instead, seek out a good tobacconist and ask for his or her recommendation. Not only will this give you a broader selection from which to choose, but the tobacconist is likely to have some good advice on how to get started. Don't be afraid to tell the shop owner that you're a novice. He or she will figure this out pretty quickly on their own anyway, and it is in their own best interest to help you select a pipe and tobacco that they think you'll enjoy. | ||
;Basket pipes | ;Basket pipes | ||
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=== Filters === | === Filters === | ||
<revive zone="15" align="right" caption="An excellent selection of Filter pipes is available at CIGARWORLD (A New Pipedia Underwriter)" /> | |||
You should not be inhaling smoke when enjoying your pipe, so a filter is, in the opinion of many, superfluous. One major drawback to most filtering systems is that they tend to affect the taste of the tobacco—for the worse—if not kept meticulously clean. With that said, in some parts of the world, particularly Central Europe, pipe filters are quite common. Many of the pipes sold there have a cavity in the shank—that part of the pipe that connects the bowl to the stem—designed to accommodate 9mm filters. There is absolutely nothing wrong with using a filter in your pipe. If you prefer filters, then by all means use them. Nevertheless, you don't need them. | You should not be inhaling smoke when enjoying your pipe, so a filter is, in the opinion of many, superfluous. One major drawback to most filtering systems is that they tend to affect the taste of the tobacco—for the worse—if not kept meticulously clean. With that said, in some parts of the world, particularly Central Europe, pipe filters are quite common. Many of the pipes sold there have a cavity in the shank—that part of the pipe that connects the bowl to the stem—designed to accommodate 9mm filters. There is absolutely nothing wrong with using a filter in your pipe. If you prefer filters, then by all means use them. Nevertheless, you don't need them. | ||
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If you find yourself frustrated by the fact that you simply can't get the feel for packing your pipe, you might want to try a method suggested by Mike Butera. Mike recommends chopping the tobacco, reducing the ribbons into rectangles or squares about 1/4" long. The bowl is then packed as described above. Some people have found that this method can make the task of packing a bowl much easier. This is also known as a "Cube Cut" in witch the tobacco is already sliced into the squares mentioned above. I have found that, although packing the pipe with a "Cube Cut" is easier and quicker, it can lead to tobacco flowing up the stem and into the users mouth, resulting in a rather unpleasant experience. | If you find yourself frustrated by the fact that you simply can't get the feel for packing your pipe, you might want to try a method suggested by Mike Butera. Mike recommends chopping the tobacco, reducing the ribbons into rectangles or squares about 1/4" long. The bowl is then packed as described above. Some people have found that this method can make the task of packing a bowl much easier. This is also known as a "Cube Cut" in witch the tobacco is already sliced into the squares mentioned above. I have found that, although packing the pipe with a "Cube Cut" is easier and quicker, it can lead to tobacco flowing up the stem and into the users mouth, resulting in a rather unpleasant experience. | ||
A recent pipe-packing technique known as "The Frank Method" has grown in favor, presented at the 2004 [[Chicagoland International Pipe & Tobacciana Show]]. See the following | A recent pipe-packing technique known as "The Frank Method" has grown in favor, presented at the 2004 [[Chicagoland International Pipe & Tobacciana Show]]. See the following link: [http://www.newyorkpipeclub.com/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=415823&module_id=37917 New York Pipe Club's presentation]. Here's a set of YouTube videos posted by Herr Frank demonstrating his pipe filling method [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJP0JaNRw6Q Frank Method]. | ||
If you have whole-leaf tobacco in your home and you can't cut it in the traditional strip cut or don't have the patience for it, you may be using the Gripp packing method (Gripp derived from the name of its creator, Raylan Gripp ). The method consists of using whole tobacco leaves of your availability and removing the central veins. After that, cut the leaves to lengths so that, when inserted into the bowl of the tube, the equivalent of one and a half centimeters of leaves can be left out of the bowl of your tube. This surplus is very important to maintain because, if it is necessary to remove all tobacco from the bowl for possible adjustments, it can be done in a single movement. Add more than the thickness of the bowl of your tube so that there is minimal pressure on the tobacco so that it remains firmly inside the hole. Place the leaves parallel to each other and add to the bowl in the direction of the flow of air that will pass through the chamber. Heads up! The leaves should not be twisted but should be placed next to each other. Twisting may stop the flow of air in the chamber. If the tobacco has become loose, remove it, add a few more leaves the same size as the initials and put it back in the bowl. Test the flow. Being in the smoker's favor, with the help of scissors, make a cut close to the edge of the bowl. In this method it is not necessary to maintain a minimum space between the tobacco and the edge of the bowl as it will not expand upon receiving heat and, if it expands, it will not jump out of the bowl due to pressure. This method is interesting because it maintains the same air flow throughout the smoke, requiring few lighting and is also a good option for those who need to fill their pipe previously to be smoked on the street. The tutorial is available at @ pipe.university | If you have whole-leaf tobacco in your home and you can't cut it in the traditional strip cut or don't have the patience for it, you may be using the Gripp packing method (Gripp derived from the name of its creator, Raylan Gripp ). The method consists of using whole tobacco leaves of your availability and removing the central veins. After that, cut the leaves to lengths so that, when inserted into the bowl of the tube, the equivalent of one and a half centimeters of leaves can be left out of the bowl of your tube. This surplus is very important to maintain because, if it is necessary to remove all tobacco from the bowl for possible adjustments, it can be done in a single movement. Add more than the thickness of the bowl of your tube so that there is minimal pressure on the tobacco so that it remains firmly inside the hole. Place the leaves parallel to each other and add to the bowl in the direction of the flow of air that will pass through the chamber. Heads up! The leaves should not be twisted but should be placed next to each other. Twisting may stop the flow of air in the chamber. If the tobacco has become loose, remove it, add a few more leaves the same size as the initials and put it back in the bowl. Test the flow. Being in the smoker's favor, with the help of scissors, make a cut close to the edge of the bowl. In this method it is not necessary to maintain a minimum space between the tobacco and the edge of the bowl as it will not expand upon receiving heat and, if it expands, it will not jump out of the bowl due to pressure. This method is interesting because it maintains the same air flow throughout the smoke, requiring few lighting and is also a good option for those who need to fill their pipe previously to be smoked on the street. The tutorial is available at @ pipe.university | ||