Pipe Smokers?

[Thunderbolt]

I was sitting reading a book last night, and I felt like a smoke...

I'm a non-smoker. I probably smoke a pipe or a cigar every 3 or 4 months or so, when the mood or situation suits me.

I had a cigar back in December on a trip. On a boat in the Pacific Ocean, good friends, good drink and a good cigar.

However, I have a nice Stanwell pipe my wife bought me a number of years ago. I have a friend who got me started trying it and I still do smoke it every now and then.

Last night was one of those times. The mood was right, the scotch was smooth and warming. The pipe just put a point on everything. The tobacco was a mild burley, very smooth and it never "bit" my tongue, like cigars do.

I never inhale. I just puff lightly and let the smoke roll around in my mouth then exhale. I enjoy the whole process of getting the pipe out, choosing the tobacco (I know, the purists say one pipe/one tobacco, but I'm not a purist), packing the bowl, a charring match, then pack again, then a lighting match.

Anyway, are there any fellow kilted pipe smokers out there? What's your favorite pipe, tobaccos and time to enjoy your pipe?

This is a link to the pipe I like the most:

http://www.cupojoes.com/cgi-bin/lpgm...item=stacol63m

And you?

T.

[Monkey@Arms]

I used to be a big pipe smoker, loved the interactiveness (is that a word?) of it all, and the fact I could keep one going for close to two hours while sitting reading. Then came the time when I no longer had two hours to sit and smoke. Now its only cigars on weekends. My favorite pipes were my bent Petersons, and my one Dunhill purchased at the Royal Navy Hong Kong China Fleet Club. I smoked Rattray's of Perth, I think it was Professionals Blend. Funny, now its pipes that "bite" me, never cigars. If I ever come across a corncob again, I may have to pick one up and some tobacco, for a disposable pipe to take on a vacation, just for the heck of it.

Best regards,

Jake

[The Wizard of BC]

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.

[Clockwork John]

I have three pipes- a King's Cross Featherweight bent Billiard, a Comoy's Bantam straight Billiard, and a no name 1/2 bent Dublin.

I usually smoke aromatics and Navy blends. My regulars are Mac Baren's Plumcake and a bulk whiskey cavendish from my local tobacconist.

My favorite time to smoke is when I'm with friends who also smoke. I'll also take a good book and a good scotch or stout and go sit outside when the weather permits.

[demobud]

I quit smoking about six years ago but I do confess to wanting a pipe or cigar on occaision. I still have a small humidor with some "imported" cigars from my last trip overseas, just in case!

[Nick]

I've been smoking a pipe for six years now. My usual tobacco is Mac Baren's Scottish Blend, but I just picked up 25 g of "Highland Whisky" from Greens of Leeds. It's quite good, though I'll probably stick by the MB as a standard.

I've got several pipes, including a Stanwell Hans Christien Andersen churchwarden and two calabashes, one from the '60s and another probably from the 1910s (the 'bashes are the coolest, dryest, best smoke I've ever had. I miss them). Those are good sit on the porch with a book and a drink pipes, but my usual pipes were two Dr. Grabows, a bent and a straight. I prefered the bent, and in fact I've only got three straight stem pipes.

I didn't bring a pipe with me to England (don't ask why, I still haven't figured it out for myself), and went a couple months without. I ended up buying myself a nice pipe at Greens, inexpensive but a great shape and feel in the hand. There were many other pipes in the case I would have loved, and when I went back the other day there were a number of churchwardens and minichurchies I'd love. But the budget means I'll have to stick to the one pipe for now. Plus, like the Grabows, I can toss it in my backpack and not be to worried about damage.

While taking a break with some other grad students in the department outside I was smoking my pipe, and one of them remarked that with the pipe, and my WWII greatcoat and fedora I looked "otherworldly". I rather liked that

[beowulf67]

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.

[beloitpiper]

I took up pipe smoking in Ireland. I have a Classic Aran with a smooth matte finish made by Peterson and I smoke their tobacco too. It flavor is called "Old Dublin" which, according to the tin, is "A supreme style of smoking mixture based on the renowned cool smoky aroma of Cyprus Latika. Added are selected Golden Virginia with aromatic Black Cavendish and sweet Greek Oriental Basma Grades." But admittedly, my favorite tobacco is Captain Black.

It's rather enjoyable. No inhaling like a cigarette, and you don't have to put dedicate a lot of time like you do with a cigar.

[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.

[Nick]

That's how I typically pack my pipes. I tried the Frank method, and was able to do it, just don't do it as much. I found it's easier to do it on a pipe with a wide rim, like a calabash or a briar with a thick bowl.