Pipe Smokers?

[Thunderbolt]

While it is seldom to see me without my pipe it is because, and I fully admit it, addicted.

I have about six pipes that I currently use but I'm not a purest either. I usually have my day pipe and keep it packed for those moments when I can grab a cup of coffee and a puff while I straighten my back from sitting at the sewing machine.

I usually smoke a blend of 3/4 Black Cavendish and 1/4 Virginia shade. No flavors, no extras.

I like the plain tobacco's as well. I'm not a fan of flavorings, or aromatics. No "cherry" or "maple" or whatever. The smoke may smell better from the aromatics, but I don't like the taste.

I enjoy cigars more, but I do have a pipe and a few different tobaccos that were mixed at the local pipe shop. I like smoking the pipe but haven't got the hang of keeping it lit for an extended period.

I used to have the same problem. Until I learned the best way to pack, char, pack, then light, I couldn't get it right at all.

I have a friend from Germany that brings me a small box of tiny "stones" that I put in the bottom of the bowl to absorb moisture and prevents "gurgling" from the moisture of the tobacco. I haven't seen them around here, although I haven't really looked for them yet.

BTW, here's the method I learned for packing. I never got it right until I started doing it this way.

-Sprinkle tobacco loosely into the bowl, until full. Loose is the key here.
-Pack with the flat-head tool to half the depth of the bowl, sprinke loose tobacco to the top once again.
-pack to half the depth of the first pack, or roughly to 1/4th the depth of the bowl. Fill to the top again to level with the top.
-Char with one match. Pack to about 1/4" below the rim, then light with the second match.
-Enjoy.

I gently puff constantly. Too fast and it gets hot, to slow and it doesn't taste right for me.

T.