Beginner Pipe Smoking Sessions Personal Notes

OutdoorsSmoke_21191

Today, after taking in knowledge from several generous people from this forum, started back my pipe tobacco journey. These are simply my thoughts and opinions. Keep in perspective, from a new hobbyist.

1. Started with KBV BURLEY MORNING PIPE tobacco (from @Stubble). Flavors I tasted: sweet cream and sugary notes over mild flavored coffee. I will look up this tobacco and flavor profile later.
2. Definitely too loosely filled bowl at first. Many relights. Noticed very audible drawing sounds from bowl. Most body of smoke and flavor was on initial relights. I used a soft flame lighter.
3. Remembering not to draw too fast and be patient…I wasn’t at first. Many relights. Set pipe aside for 10 minutes. I was expecting too much too fast.
4. Tamping became my friend. Started experimenting by slowly tamping to get tobacco more compressed to see if I could get a better and more consistent burn. Eureka! Tamped and compressed more than I thought I should and got longer burn time, more consistent body of smoke and consistent flavor. I enjoyed this discovery.
5. Patience during the learning and self discovery process must become internalized in order to focus on the positives and reaping enjoyment from the experience.
6. I enjoyed my session thoroughly. I discovered a few things I can use during my next session.
7. Overall, I had fun.

Rdp77

Some things you just can’t be told. You gotta just figure them out yourself. I’m glad it’s working out for you.

OutdoorsSmoke_21191

Ok at my own expense, I must share with you all something new I learned, that you guys will find funny. As most of you know I’m new to piping. I received my first tobacco order yesterday. Out of the order I had one tin. I tried and tried to unscrew that damn lid. Mind you, I’m an avid weightlifter and practice jiu jitsu regularly. So to say the least, I have a pretty damn good grip strength. So again, tried and tried to get that lid open. No luck. Now I’m perturbed. I take said tin into my shop and put it in my vice and still can’t unscrew the effing thing. Even more annoyed. Blood pressure is rising. Knowing I have unused glass jars, I say eff it, I crank the vice tighter and crush the sides in about 3/4”. Top is still on!!!! I then decide prying it open is my last effort before chucking it like frisbee across my field. As I’m bringing the flathead screwdriver to the lid edge I notice a couple flat spots on the edge of the tin bottom. Hmmmm I think to myself, looks like a good spot to slide the screwdriver against for leverage. I barely insert the screwdriver into the lid and instantly hear a vacuum seal of air release. I let out a loud audible’ holeeee shiiiiiiit, you godda be kidding me, it’s vacuum sealed’!!!

Now I know 🤔😔🙄

Yakster

Oh, yeah, I use the small knife blade on my pipe knife to release the vacuum on tins when opening them.

OutdoorsSmoke_21191

@Yakster said:
Oh, yeah, I use the small knife blade on my pipe knife to release the vacuum on tins when opening them.

Now you tell me 🤣🤣🤣

Yakster

A coin should also work.

OutdoorsSmoke_21191

Like Rusty @Rdp77 says….some things you just have figure out yourself. 🧐🤔🤣

OutdoorsSmoke_21191

So far, in my piping journey, I’ve been drawn to Virginian and Latakia. I love the boldness of these tobaccos.

Does anyone have a suggestion on a blend that is heavy with both of these?

Thank you in advance.

Amos_Umwhat

@OutdoorsSmoke_21191 said:
So far, in my piping journey, I’ve been drawn to Virginian and Latakia. I love the boldness of these tobaccos.

Does anyone have a suggestion on a blend that is heavy with both of these?

Thank you in advance.

Well, you have some pure latakia, you could try looking for Full Virginia Flake (FVF) tobacco, and then experiment with adding latakia in measured ratios and see what really tickles your fancy.

For example, Robert McConnell's Red Virginia, or maybe the Folded Flake which I think is all, or nearly all Virginia and then your latakia. I'd start with one part Lat to four parts Virginia. Let it rest in a small jar for a day or two, then try it. Change ratios and see if you like your new blend better?

Should you decide to add some Black Cavendish to this, which I sometimes do, remember that a very small amount of Black Cav goes a long, long way. Long way. No foolin'.

OutdoorsSmoke_21191

@Amos_Umwhat said:

@OutdoorsSmoke_21191 said:
So far, in my piping journey, I’ve been drawn to Virginian and Latakia. I love the boldness of these tobaccos.

Does anyone have a suggestion on a blend that is heavy with both of these?

Thank you in advance.

Well, you have some pure latakia, you could try looking for Full Virginia Flake (FVF) tobacco, and then experiment with adding latakia in measured ratios and see what really tickles your fancy.

For example, Robert McConnell's Red Virginia, or maybe the Folded Flake which I think is all, or nearly all Virginia and then your latakia. I'd start with one part Lat to four parts Virginia. Let it rest in a small jar for a day or two, then try it. Change ratios and see if you like your new blend better?

Should you decide to add some Black Cavendish to this, which I sometimes do, remember that a very small amount of Black Cav goes a long, long way. Long way. No foolin'.

Steve thanks for the advice. I have both. I will begin the experiment. Keep you posted.

OutdoorsSmoke_21191

@Amos_Umwhat I miss spoke when I said Virginian… I meant Kentucky. Would you still recommend the same ratios?

Amos_Umwhat

@OutdoorsSmoke_21191 said:
@Amos_Umwhat I miss spoke when I said Virginian… I meant Kentucky. Would you still recommend the same ratios?

yes, but you'll probably end up with a higher latakia ratio as you go. Just start small.

OutdoorsSmoke_21191

So far I have tried 24 different tobaccos and have acquired 10 pipes. Between what I have left from forum members and what I’ve bought, I have another 27 to try. Thanks to the generous forum members (for tobacco, pipes, general answers and help) Steve @Stubble , Chris @Hawks , Steve @Amos_Umwhat , Pete @Vision , Rusty @Rdp77 , Chris @Yakster , Carl @rsherman24 , Edward @silvermouse and Jeremy @11thGenSoutherner I have been thoroughly, enjoying this journey.

Side note, I have tried, more than once and bought more KBV Burley Morning Pipe. It was my first attempt at tobacco. All I can offer of why, perhaps, sentimental??

I will be reviewing notes to find commonalities of what my palate has been gravitating towards. Post later.

Thank you all 🤙🏼

rsherman24

Obviously you need more.

Hawks

Try Uzumaki from KBV. I've been burning the heck out of that one lately. 🤙

OutdoorsSmoke_21191

A few more newbie learning comments…

• don’t be lazy cleaning your pipes. Meaning, don’t wait a long time… it’s a PITA!!
• Pipe buying disease is real.
• Pipe shapes, bowl diameter/depth, lengths and aesthetics change from what you initially think you like.
• Packing/tamping, especially the latter, is an art form.
• Tongue bite really is a thing
• Buying quality estate pipes can save money. Buy from a reputable source.
• The way a pipe feels in your hands is more important than looks when it comes to the smoking experience.
• Big bowls, like big ring guage cigars, doesn’t equal better smoking, imho.
• Smoking many different varieties of tobacco and taking notes is a smart way to develop your palate.

I’m definitely enjoying the hobby experience.

silvermouse

Good list, but the technical term is "pipe acquisition disorder" PAD....

Amos_Umwhat

@OutdoorsSmoke_21191 said:
So far, in my piping journey, I’ve been drawn to Virginian and Latakia. I love the boldness of these tobaccos.

Does anyone have a suggestion on a blend that is heavy with both of these?

Thank you in advance.

Loading my pipe this morning with Sextant and thought about this question. It's a G.L. Pease blend. I think @Stubble sent it to me a while back. Heavy on Latakia with oriental and Kentucky, If you haven't had it, you might add it to the list.

OutdoorsSmoke_21191

Missed this one somehow 🤔. Thank you @Amos_Umwhat

OutdoorsSmoke_21191

Fast approaching my one year mark of ‘seriously’ entertaining this pipe tobacco journey. Thought I would share a few more things I’ve learned to date. In no particular order.

1 Ribbon and shag have been the easiest to learn how to properly burn and enjoy tobacco.
2 Flake, cake, rope and to some extent cube cuts are more of a challenge when it comes to packing and burning properly. These are still a work in progress.
3 I enjoy smoking in the mornings more than any other time in the day/night.
4 Having knowledgeable mentors is extremely helpful and valuable. I appreciate mine.
5 Reading and researching is great but actual boots on the ground personal experimentation is where the knowledge and experience really comes from.
6 What you think you like will likely change as your palate develops.
7 Pipe shapes you think you like will likely change as feel, weight, length, aesthetics, etc play into your overall experience.
8 Just like cigars the piping (pipes, tobacco, tools, odds & ends, etc) rabbit hole is real.
9 Resist pipe acquisition disorder in the beginning. See #7 above.
10 Find others (forums members, clubs, etc to trade with and learn from.
11 When you find tobaccos you really enjoy buy more than you think you need. Never know when it may become unavailable. Also, buy more so you can trade or simply bless someone.
12 Don’t be a lazy pipe cleaner. Clean your pipes. Don’t wait. Clean your pipes. After all, you invested in your smoking tools.
13 Properly store and label your tobacco. Again, an investment.
14 High dollar pipes don’t necessarily smoke better than cheaper options. This is subjective of course. My humble opinion.
15 Enjoy the learning process and experience. This is what makes this hobby personal for you.

With that thanks to the following for helping, supplying and providing knowledge and guidance in this wonderful hobby.

@Hawks @Rdp77 @Stubble @Amos_Umwhat @Yakster @rsherman24 @Vision @ShawnOL @silvermouse

ShawnOL

I have no knowledge. The best I can do is to repeat what the knowledgeable guys here say.