Any pipe smokers here?

Keeping it lit is the art of smoking.

Packing the bowl, lighting/charring the top, tamping ash gently, then relighting for an even burn are the elements of the art. But there is also the intake and frequency. Not to 'puff' too deeply or too often.

I have an old picture of me and my pipe. How do I upload an image?

Alan wrote: Keeping it lit is the art of smoking.

Packing the bowl, lighting/charring the top, tamping ash gently, then relighting for an even burn are the elements of the art. But there is also the intake and frequency. Not to 'puff' too deeply or too often.

I have an old picture of me and my pipe. How do I upload an image?

Add file, (near the bottom while posting) press insert and submit...

Jamie Stick wrote: Have we got any pipe smokers? If so, pictures of your pipes appreciated! What was your last bowl?

You bet! Kentucky Nougat for me. Actually running a little low but in my draw at the moment I've got Irish Flake (flake is when you break it up into smaller pieces yourself), Dunhill's Early Morning Pipe and another vanilla aromatic flake.

I've got three pipes including a Church Warden which is actually ideal for resting on the desk in front of me when I'm playing Counter Strike

Spoilt myself with a lovely Pierre Cardin pipe lighter last year too.

I'm a member of the vape crowd. Used to smoke tobacco (in pipes and otherwise) for recreational purposes but stopped and switched to vaping. I also have a vape pipe and use it perhaps once every few months. Not quite as satisfying as the real deal, but good enough to keep me from relapsing

I love smoking the pipe, but I haven't had one in years. I smoke cigarettes and cigars, though. I do have some glass pipes, but I don't think those count. :laugh:

Haven't gotten into Pipe Smoking, but I do smoke cigars, which is on the same vein of appreciation for tobacco as it should be smoked, rather than corporate cigarettes lol. Definitely need to get a pipe & pipe-tool, not sure whether to get wood or synthetic. Leaning towards wood. Suggestions?

The wood pipes are almost always referred to as briar pipes because they're made from briar wood (the only exception being the rare few that are made from another kind of wood). Metal pipes, also commonly referred to as Falcons, are specific aesthetic choice. They can also be expensive, more so than a briar pipe. There is also one other option which I'll mention although it is not the last choice for types of pipes and that is cob.

Briar
Pros: versatile, varies in price, several choices in style/shape/size
Cons: requires patience to learn, too many choices

Metal
Pros: unique, customizable
Cons: expensive, not intuitive

Cob
Pros: won't ruin it if you mess up, durable, cheap
Cons: learning curve required, negative associations with cob pipes (i.e. cob pipe = hick/red neck)

I would strongly suggest one of the following
Grabow: Link Here
Keywoodie: Link Here
Or go to your local tobbaconist and ask to see their selection of estate pipes (meaning used pipes).

The last option is a good idea anyway because you'll learn a lot quicker about the hobby and figure out whether it's for you or not.

Unrelated to the question, below are pictures of my pipes.









And yes, the churchwarden picture is the manufactures' picture. I haven't taken one yet.

Jamie, that's a really nice pipe hold for the church warden.

M Gray, I highly recommend briar. Some people think the shape of your face/head determine the pipe shape. I don't know how that is done or even if it's really true. I usually smoke a bend-style (half or full) though I have pipes of all shapes. I suggest a short straight to start with.