Talk:Airflow: The Key to Smoking Pleasure

To bore or not to bore?

I am an old pipe smoker for more than 30 years. I don't own an expensive pipe but among the pipes I do have, I've found that some of them have become my favorites and some not so much. I have just begun pipe carving and I'm very interested in make the best pipe I can. After reading this article on opening up the stem bore and the fact that some believe in it and some don't, I have this to offer to any non-believer. I took one of my less favorite pipes which always smoked real hot. I couldn't keep it burning and never was able to smoke it to the bottom because the tobacco at the bottom was wet. This morning I used a 3/32 inch bit and by hand twisted it into the air hole in several places along the bit end slit which opened it up. I couldn't even get a pipe cleaner all the way through the stem before. I cleaned it up good and loaded it up. I wouldn't have believed the difference it made in the smoke quality and ease of smoking the pipe, and although I haven't been able to find my favorite tobacco yet, for the first time ever, I am able to actually tast the tobacco and I like what I'm smoking. Thanks so much for the information. P.S. I'm still reading. James Laughlin, Stanton, TX, 432-599-3473 James L. (talk)

James, you might want to read Scott and my comments on your previous post in Talk:Pipe Tobacco Today - Frank (talk)