What’s Changed?
From your humble beginnings in this fine leaf burning adventure, what has changed for you?
For me….
Almost zero aromatic or flavored tobacco.
Fancy accessories are cool but prefer more modest ones because they work better. Tried and true, if you will.
PAD has become less about acquisition. It has evolved into many box checks in order to purchase.
TAD is no longer about acquisition of whatever tobaccos or latest and greatest release. Purchases are required to match my preferred flavor profiles and hopefully, come with a deal or sale.
I mostly enjoy pipes with smaller bowls and under 6”. My philosophy…shorter and smaller pipes feel better in my hand and allow me abbreviated smoking sessions and more variety.
Comments
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I’ve never been much for the fancy accessories. The ones I do have were gifts that never seem to get used. I would have to say the biggest thing that has changed for me is the selective buying as well. I’d rather buy a pound of something I know I’ll enjoy smoking than buy two ounces of something new “just because “. But, I’m not sure if I have ever bought just two ounces of something either.
When I do buy something new I still follow the rule of three…one to smoke, one to store, and one to share.If it don’t bother me, it don’t bother me. Just leave me alone.
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I got a boatload of samples from the forum from that lottery fiasco, some I enjoyed and have re-stocked as staples, some I liked just arent available anymore and some were just not in my wheelhouse but I tried them. I'll buy a bit that sound intriguing just to try, sometimes they pan out and become a staple, sometimes they go in the trash.
A little dirt never hurt3 -
Have my pad and tad under control now. Only buying what tobacco sounds like its in my wheelhouse.
Trapped in the People's Communist Republic of Massachusetts.
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I love my corn cobs. I'm really lazy, so, this tracks. I have traded out a lot of different things in order to build a cellar of stuff I like. Chris told me a couple of years ago to go easy on the Latakia purchasing as he's seen many people like it for one year then never go back to it. He was right. I've learned I love the dark fired Kentucky blends. Most. Hard wood smoked is always better 😘
Edit: Oh, and I like to break out my fancy gear during the fancy season, Christmas.
Nolite Oblivisci Peniculus Dentes
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@Hawks said:
I love my corn cobs. I'm really lazy, so, this tracks. I have traded out a lot of different things in order to build a cellar of stuff I like. Chris told me a couple of years ago to go easy on the Latakia purchasing as he's seen many people like it for one year then never go back to it. He was right. I've learned I love the dark fired Kentucky blends. Most. Hard wood smoked is always better 😘Edit: Oh, and I like to break out my fancy gear during the fancy season, Christmas.
I’m actually glad you said that. My cob is by far my favorite pipe and I have recently decided I like Latakia heavy blends and have been contemplating ordering a few of them.
I also have found that I like my tobacco dry, almost crumbly dry. I’m only 6ish months in on my piping journey though and definitely not a daily piper. I haven’t even been able to finish off all the “starter samplers” you guys have sent me yet. Not even close actually. Oh and fancy gear? I use a bic and often tamper with my finger. 😂
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Oh, so many years, so much change.
I began by searching for that great cherry aroma, and maple. Now, I'm a forever Latakia lover, but not every bowl. Virginia tobacco is so great in the morning, Oriental, KDF, Perique, all have their place. I left almost all aromatics behind long ago, but occasionally the mood strikes.
Pipe acquisition? I felt that spending much on a pipe was a waste of $, but that was largely because I didn't have the $. A couple cobs, and Dr. Grabow was my friend. I have to watch myself these days, they look so seductive in those pictures.
Pipe maintenance? I used to pull the stem frequently and blow out the moisture during smoking. I ruined a few pipes before I figured out this was bad. Tried filters, found they suck. They're horrible. Learned that not reaming from time to time, cake built up and actually can split the pipe. Who'd a thunk it?
Tamping. Originally I thought that the tamper was to pack the tobacco in. It's not. Use the tamper and puff before attempting a relight, usually brings things back to life.
Packing. I've always had a tendency to overpack. I've learned not to, but still have to be conscious of what I'm doing.
Smoking. When I started, I thought that I should smoke the whole bowl in one session, with clouds of smoke and a continuous burn. I've learned the slow start and retrohale. Relights are okay, not a thing to be avoided at all costs. If the pipe gets too hot, the smoke changes flavor. Set it down.
I think that a lot of what we expected was programmed into us by the corporations promoting cigarette use over a hundred years ago. "You've only got 10 minutes, hot box a cigarette and get your ass back to work" was the message. I think that much of the resulting tobacco related damage to health is rooted in that ethos.
That's all I've got, well, a quick synopsis.
Post edited by Amos_Umwhat on"If you do not read the newspapers you're uninformed. If you do read the newspapers, you're misinformed." -- Mark Twain6
