View Full Version : Cigar/Pipe Smoking 101
I start this thread to discuss anything related to the art of smoking pipe tobaccos and cigars. Newbies will be offered the possibility of harassing our resident experts (yeah, both of you, Rich and Rick). I had the idea following an exchange of PM with Rene, who’s quite curious to try his cigars.
Don’t forget that classic Internet piece of wisdom: we have all been newbies at some point.
(recycling two old photos, I’m too lazy now to take new ones)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2095/1534281786_0c790f78df.jpg
http://www.shavemyface.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11795/normal_ddod_07_09_08.jpg
So I guess my first question is: how am I supposed to smoke flakes?
been smoking for over 20 years and I still have trouble with flakes.
Ive had the best luck by breaking / cutting the flakes into little cubes and then letting them dry to a crisp.
Dribble the cubes into the pipe and puff gently.
Sometimes it works well....others :rolleyes:
msandoval858
09-26-2007, 10:05 AM
Flakes...
I was a tobacconist many moons ago so I know a thing or two about pipes and cigars. Like Rick said, flakes give everyone hell :rofl
The interesting thing about a good flake is you can be versitile with them and find what works best for you. A sharp pair of scissors is great for cutting them into small cubes and works nicely, especially for pipes that have a tendency to smoke a bit hot.
I usually crumble them up by hand majority of the time, kind of a half rubbed out consistency. This seems to give a good smoke, steady burning rate, and doesn't modify the flavor.
Another method is a fully rubbed out flake, almost to shag consistency. This is really easy to pack properly and will burn very smooth however I think it modifies the taste of the tobacco and can easily bring out the "grassy" flavor in some of the lesser matured tobaccos. The one I always smoke this way is McClelland Dark Star, mostly because the flakes are already very well stoved to an almost black color which eliminates almost any hint of "grassy" flavor you get from some. And of course it's the only way I can keep that stuff lit :rofl
As for drying them out, that works well for many guys. Some will rub them to the desired consistency and nuke them in the microwave for a few seconds. I tried that a few times and it did work pretty well if you like a dryer tobacco. Personally I like all my tobaccos right out of the can and just tought myself to smoke them that way over the years. With some of the wetter flakes such as McClelland's, I'll pack my bowl the way I want it and let the pipe rest for an hour or two before lighting. Perfect every time.
Great, a third expert ! :D That’s perfect, I have a pipe smoking session with friends this evening. Right now: Hal O’ The Wynd in my Peterson Churchwarden. Very nice and balanced. I think I’m a sucker for Virginia.
qhsdoitall
09-26-2007, 12:35 PM
Yes, flakes are a pain in the you know what at times. I rub them out between thumb and forefinger and then let it sit out for about an 1 - 1 1/2 hours before smoking. This is one where I might dedicate a pipe to Virgina Flakes. McClelland's 2015 comes to mind as an example.
Not sure how much an expert I'm going to be on recent stuff though. I smoked 3-4 pipes a day for 18 years but that was a number of years ago. I only smoke 1-2 times a month now and a lot of my stuff is gone. I'll try though. :D
William
09-26-2007, 01:15 PM
I have never smoked a pipe in my life but have secretly wanted too! I went into London the other week and couldn't resist going into a top shop in Mayfair that specialized in Pipes, Tobacco and Cigars. I love this type of shop and as an ex/none none smoker, I can really appreciate the ambiance of the place and of course the sensational aromas that are so alluring:drool. What amazed me was that this shop had a hermetically sealed room for the cigars and tobacco. I found it fascinating and marveled at some of the designs of the pipes and materials used in their construction. I thought some were simply breath taking. So were the prices mind you:eek:.
I wander if during the posts to follow our experts could answer a few questions that I have been wandering about for some time?
• What is the difference between the shapes of the pipes and is there any advantage with one over the other?
• Which brand and shape of pipe do you recommend and why?
• What Tobacco would you recommend for a beginner?
• What other paraphernalia do you need to get going?
How do you prepare the tobacco and pipe for smoking?
• Should you inhale? It seems this changes with who you ask?
I think that covers it!:)
Cheers
msandoval858
09-26-2007, 02:38 PM
Yes, flakes are a pain in the you know what at times. I rub them out between thumb and forefinger and then let it sit out for about an 1 - 1 1/2 hours before smoking. This is one where I might dedicate a pipe to Virgina Flakes. McClelland's 2015 comes to mind as an example.
Not sure how much an expert I'm going to be on recent stuff though. I smoked 3-4 pipes a day for 18 years but that was a number of years ago. I only smoke 1-2 times a month now and a lot of my stuff is gone. I'll try though. :D
I personally think that if you are a big fan of Virginias, be it ribbon cut, flake, whatever, that dedicating a pipe to them is a very good idea. Good virginias tend to use very little (if any) dressings in the blends and have the pure natural taste of tobaccos that can easily be tainted by any residue in the pipe from orientals or aromatics.
For flakes I really like the smaller Italian made briars with a nice thick wall. Mastro de Paja, Ser Jacopo, etc. The smaller bowl makes them much more enjoyable as flakes tend to burn slower and often hotter depending on how you choose to rub them out.
Newbieish Pipe smoker here. ATM smoking Abingdon in a Bjarne Elsinore. I'm forcing myself to smoke a tin of each of Mr. Pease's blends. Current favorites are Caravan, Cairo, Charring Cross.
• What is the difference between the shapes of the pipes and is there any advantage with one over the other?
• Which brand and shape of pipe do you recommend and why?
• What Tobacco would you recommend for a beginner?
• What other paraphernalia do you need to get going?
How do you prepare the tobacco and pipe for smoking?
• Should you inhale? It seems this changes with who you ask?
I think that covers it!:)
Cheers
1. Personal preference.
2. Get a pipe that is pleasing to you and affordable.
3. Just jump right in and start smoking- take a gander at Tobaccoreviews.com and smokersforums.org
4. Pipe cleaners and tamper lighter or matches.
5. Only if you want to cough up a lung.
William
09-26-2007, 08:39 PM
5. Only if you want to cough up a lung.
:rofl
Thanks
How do you prepare the tobacco and pipe for smoking?
Seems like I missed this one; This takes abit of practice and patience. What finally worked for me is the Frank method. http://youtube.com/watch?v=kJP0JaNRw6Q
http://youtube.com/watch?v=9U5QbtyNxhA
http://youtube.com/watch?v=OMtHOAiO8CI
watch all three. I usually don't put a huge plug of Tobak on top, depending on how long I want to smoke.
How do I store tobacco once I open a tin?
msandoval858
10-12-2007, 10:15 AM
How do I store tobacco once I open a tin?
I personally like Mason jars for tobacco storage. It really depends how long you're going to have the tin around and what type of tobacco it is. Some, like McClellands, tend to be a bit on the wetter side so an open tin can easily be kept for a few weeks with no problems at all. Tobaccos like Cornell & Dehl, GL Pease, and others are a bit dryer and will benefit much more from being transferred to an air tight container.
qhsdoitall
10-12-2007, 12:25 PM
I personally like Mason jars for tobacco storage. It really depends how long you're going to have the tin around and what type of tobacco it is. Some, like McClellands, tend to be a bit on the wetter side so an open tin can easily be kept for a few weeks with no problems at all. Tobaccos like Cornell & Dehl, GL Pease, and others are a bit dryer and will benefit much more from being transferred to an air tight container.
Agree. Once you open a tin and your not going to use it up within a short time, you need to keep it from drying out. You can use the same techniques used for cigars. Rick might chime in with an igloo humidifier suggestion. Since I only have 1-2 tobaccos on hand at once it's not a big deal.
Here is an link for some bulk mason jars as an example. (http://www.freundcontainer.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_49618_A_AIR%2DSEAL+JARS+%2D+GLA SS)
Mike, Rich, thank you. I kind of suspected pouches and plastic lids sucked to no end. However, what about round, metallic tins like this one?
msandoval858
10-12-2007, 03:37 PM
Mike, Rich, thank you. I kind of suspected pouches and plastic lids sucked to no end. However, what about round, metallic tins like this one?
Depends on the tin. Most of those metal ones never screw back on very tight once you pop the seal. I never had good luck keeping the tobacco from drying out in a short time. It just depends how much you smoke. If you are going to burn up the tin in a week or two, you can probably get by fine. Any longer than that, a transplant is in order.
I always tend to have multiple tins open when I'm enjoying my pipes (currently haven't picked one up awhile) since I'm a variety kind of guy. Once I open a tin it's going to be a month or two before it's gone.
MCsommerreid
10-13-2007, 03:40 PM
Lyrt, have you ever thought of doing perhaps a photography/photoshop tutorial? Some of your images are truly amazing, and I'd love to see how you do it.
Mike, your knowledge is appreciated. Now I’m scratching my head as I’m about to place a big order. I probably should open only two or three tins and leave the rest in their airtight environment.
Matt => no problem. I’ll keep my psd files and I’ll post a comprehensive tutorial when you see an image you like.
Once a tin is open you gotta smoke the baccy or put it in another container.
Rich is right: Once I open a tin I put it into my 128 qt Igloodor for storage in there.
If I buy in bulk, the mason jars are THE way to go.
When I need some baccy I take it out of the Igloodor and plop it into a Ziploc baggie. I roll up the baggie like a cigar and the tobacco stays pretty good for a week or 2.
Hmm, Igloodor... Basically, isn't it like a wine cellar?
Edit : hmmm, so I need a cooler, a hygrometer and propylene glycol.
Yes.....
a tobaccy cellar.
Alls I use is a soap dish with florists "oasis" (wet styrofoam)
The hygrometer for me is a waste of time.
I live in a desert so humidity isnt much of an issue and in the Igloordor a little moisture goes a loooong way.
Make sure to open it up about 1x a week for air to circulate and use ONLY distilled water with the foam.
You get mold in yo baccy and its "game over".
herzi
11-08-2007, 03:23 AM
Recently tabacconist told me this.
A real flake smoker takes the flake out of the tin, rolls it and presses it in the pipe. Could work but I didn't try it.
I found an interesting link
http://www.mac-baren.com/TopMenu/Expert-Knowledge/Flake-Tobacco/How-to-fill-a-pipe.aspx
Dude, I'm sick, don't show stuff like that. Now I have to try it.
Kenrup
11-30-2007, 12:22 AM
Yep, I got a try it too.
VetsJetsnGuns
02-25-2008, 01:45 AM
• What is the difference between the shapes of the pipes and is there any advantage with one over the other?
• Which brand and shape of pipe do you recommend and why?
• What Tobacco would you recommend for a beginner?
• What other paraphernalia do you need to get going?
• How do you prepare the tobacco and pipe for smoking?
• Should you inhale? It seems this changes with who you ask?
1.) I like the author shape- it's a deep bend, and I don't have to worry about tobacco juices rolling down the stem and into my mouth, as I do if I get careless with a straight pipe. The author bend is also easier on my teeth due to the angle it assumes when I'm smoking 'hands free'. It's very handy to have a self-standing pipe that will sit upright on it's own. My next pipe will be a self-standing Sherlock Holmes bend.
2.) Base it on the food and beer you like. If you like strong flavors, get strong flavored tobacco. Take this idea with you to the tobacco shop and talk it over with the tobacconist. I'd go for human interaction here. At an actual tobacco shop, you 'll be able to stick your nose in a lot of pipe tobacco jars. Most smoke shops let you have a pipeful (bowl) for free, so you can try before you buy. Most places will also sell you quantities of an ounce, or ounce-and-a-half, etc. so your committment is managed. You can even have the tobacconist mix a custom blend of whatever he's got in the store.
3.) tamper (large head nail in a pinch) butune lighter or bunch of matches and place to strike, pipe cleaners. Let the sulfer burn off the match before you light the pipe- prevent negative flavor transfer
4.) Again, I'd do this in the tobacco store for the first time. There's usually other smokers hanging around who can help with this, too, there's a million ways. Even packing the pipe varies a lot, got to be tight enough to support combustion, but must be an agreable draw (to you) This is NOT my strong suit.
5.) Definitely not at first. But after you've been smoking a lot, it can add to the expereince. I now smoke a lot more cigars than pipes, and I don't inhale either. (I will inhale a cigarette, though.) But in the past I have inhaled pipe smoke, and I've enjoyed it. You're going to have to ease into it if you decide to do it. And healthwise, inhaling is much worse than not inhaling.
good luck. If you thought shave brushes were expensive, wait till you start pricing pipes... I would say ballpark a price of about $45 for your first pipe. You can get something that will manage heat properly, last a long time, and not negatively affect the smoke. Don't start this adventure in Walgreens or a supermarket. Hit a real tobacco shop.
good luck. If you thought shave brushes were expensive, wait till you start pricing pipes... I would say ballpark a price of about $45 for your first pipe. You can get something that will manage heat properly, last a long time, and not negatively affect the smoke. Don't start this adventure in Walgreens or a supermarket. Hit a real tobacco shop.
you ain't kidding.. I just picked up a Dunhill Christmas 2004 pipe (12 lords of leaping) for the "discounted" price of $700! But man is it a sweet pipe!
As a follow up, the Christmas pipe came in today!
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL146/1913657/19008149/306965927.jpg
PalmettoB
03-04-2008, 12:12 AM
Hey MD11, nice pipes!!!!
VetsJetsnGuns
03-04-2008, 04:14 AM
man, I gotta start flying a bigger airplane...
that whole set up is sweet. Who made the lighter?
man, I gotta start flying a bigger airplane...
that whole set up is sweet. Who made the lighter?
The lighter is S.T. DuPont.. my favorite brand from France :eek: .
msandoval858
03-04-2008, 12:21 PM
I love my ST Dupont. I have a black laquer and paladium one. Definately one of those investments that will last you a lifetime.
I'm so jealous........
Any of youse guys have a Corona Old Boy lighter.
.....more in my price range and I hear very good things about them.
I will NEVER....EVER..... buy another Colibri or Prometheus product again.
PERIOD. :mad:
They are junk.
VetsJetsnGuns
03-04-2008, 01:50 PM
I will NEVER....[I]EVER..... buy another Colibri or Prometheus product again.
PERIOD.
I have a colibri CEO and I love it. I just wish it would light when I wanted it to... I agree; colibri has serious issues in thier plumbing. I have two of them that have great features, except for the lighter itself. NOT dependable
msandoval858
03-04-2008, 02:30 PM
I'm so jealous........
Any of youse guys have a Corona Old Boy lighter.
.....more in my price range and I hear very good things about them.
I will NEVER....EVER..... buy another Colibri or Prometheus product again.
PERIOD. :mad:
They are junk.
I have a Corona Old Boy. The brushed finish one with the pipe shapes on it. It's lit every pipe I've smoked for the past 7 years and still works as well as the day I bought it. The finish is a bit messed up from being in my pocket, briefcase, pipe case, etc, but that doesn't effect the performance one bit.
I used to have a Corona and lost in while I was in the service. I also owned a couple of Calibri but I think they're all now made in China or something so the quality is WAY down.
msandoval858
03-04-2008, 10:38 PM
Colibri certainly deserves the reputation they have. The only ones that are even close to decent are the flint models. When I was in the tobacco business we had some many returns on defective Colibri lighters that we ultimately wound up boxing up the entire inventory and sending it back. 2 out of 3 were coming back, it was that bad.
Prometheus were a little better, but not by much.
Cutthroat_trout
03-05-2008, 03:54 PM
I have two Old Boys A matte black and the other pewter with pipe designs. They are go to pipe lighters. I use a gold ill Corona Double Corona for my cigars and works flawless every time. I still lust for S.T. Dupont.
michaelskar
03-14-2008, 10:37 AM
Not to rehash a previously discussed topic, but I find the "rolling and stuffing" method for flakes doesn't work too well for me...I find it difficult to light and as the tobacco expands the draw become nonexistent. It probably doesn't help that all of my pipes have pretty small bowls, so there isn't much room to expand...
For me, with flakes, I find breaking them up completely (I tear them like a savage beast) and gently packing the bowl (so the torn bits have room to expand) works best for me.
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