Quote:
Originally Posted by Mercury
Tobacco pipes, guys. 
My sister brought me back a pretty neat looking pipe from her recent trip to Spain. I love to hold it, for some reason. It makes me feel like a thinking man. I havent gotten around to loading it with any pipe tobacco yet, though. I'm kind of apprehensive, too. I'm just not sure what to expect.
Any advice on what kind of tobacco's to smoke? Or technique? |
Tobac pipes are unlike any other smoking utensil, in that they require some practice and skill to enjoy properly. If you get some tobacco, pick up a pamphlet on how to properly pack your pipe (if they have one, which they most likely will; if not, you're already on the internet). It will give you a good start. You also should expect to re-light the thing like five million times during a bowl, which will take anywhere from 30min to over an hour to smoke. When you smoke it, think of it as "sipping" a bit o' big smokey flavor off the pipe. You puff a cigar, and even a cig, but you sip a pipe. It's a subtle and gentle process. Puffing too hard will make your pipe get too hot, and you will risk burning through it. Also, light with wooden matches if possible (your tobacco store will have them, don't be shy about asking), or a regular butane lighter if need be. Don't use one of those welding torch crack lighters. Too much risk of burning the pipe.
Pipe smoking is pretty fun stuff. Because you have to exercise some breath control, it tends to force you to relax, and puts you in a more contemplative place. Plus, it's a pipe. You can't help but evoke Sherlock Holmes, Einstein, or Gandalf when you smoke it. Mix that with the right music and atmosphere, and you can't help but enjoy rich, deep dreams (pipe dreams, if you will).
I like freehand style pipes myself. I have one just like the one below, except with no finish, which is the Rev's #1 pipe. (I probably have a dozen, including a few corn cobs and a few nice ones).
The Rev