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Briars, meerschaums, and calabashes.

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Post Subject:

How do you care for your pipes ?

Reply from: pipe_smoker
Date: 08 Jul 2008, 17:58
How do you care for your pipes ?

Greatings ASP !
I've been wanting to do this post for some time now.
Answeres don't have to be long.
Just how do you fill, smoke and care for your pipes after your done
with the smoke.
Alot of new smokers have been joining our group recently and I
thought this would be a good time for a post like this.
I have alot to learn so I will to share until toward the end. I have a
problem with often tasting ashes as soon as I lite up.
I hope this post gets a lot of ASPers joyning in.
Pipe Smoker
in L. A..

Reply from: dre7
Date: 08 Jul 2008, 20:16
Re: How do you care for your pipes ?

For the most part, I pack using the Frank method. I like using a Zippo with
Coleman camp fuel and the plain ol Czech pipe tool. I'll give the ash and
dottle a little stir and let the pipe cool a bit before dumping, then insert
a pipe cleaner and let the pipe sit about a half hour or so. Then I'll
remove the cleaner, turn it around and use the clean end for a final brush.
If I think the bowl needs it, the cleaner gets folded in half to swab the
bowl. Then a good day or two sit in a pipe rest (not stand), with the bowl
facing up. After that, I'll rub a little lip balm on the stem and take it
off with a bit of toilet paper. I then lay a portion of the TP that didn't
touch lip balm across the heel of my left hand and twist the rim of the bowl
against it with my right. Then the pipe goes on the rack for a week or
more. I do this routine religiously and rarely do I need to do more than
that. Whenever I ream, I take my time with an oyster knife (preferred) or a
GBD reamer similar to the Klean Ream. I following that with a swab of 151
Rum (usually), Bushmill's or port.

My rotation is around 60 pipes. Disregarding the detail cleaning of grody
estate pipes (a whole other process), since I've been keeping track (3
years or so) I've yet to have a pipe go sour and only had to ream a handful.

Andrew


pipe smoker <marcmaxman@hotmail . com > wrote in message
news:dedee960-64ed-4f48-9d91-c622fbca97eb@l42g2000hsc.googlegroups . com ...
> Greatings ASP !
> I've been wanting to do this post for some time now.
> Answeres don't have to be long.
> Just how do you fill, smoke and care for your pipes after your done
> with the smoke.
> Alot of new smokers have been joining our group recently and I
> thought this would be a good time for a post like this.
> I have alot to learn so I will to share until toward the end. I have a
> problem with often tasting ashes as soon as I lite up.
> I hope this post gets a lot of ASPers joyning in.
> Pipe Smoker
> in L. A..


Reply from: DTA
Date: 09 Jul 2008, 02:10
Re: How do you care for your pipes ?

I have 48 pipes in my rotation and smoke no more than two bowls before
cleaning.

After smoking I run a couple of cleaners through the pipe and bending them
and wipe out the bowl. I put it down and normally the next day or so clean.
I run a cleaner (sometimes more) through the stem and shank with everclear.
Then a couple of dry cleaners. I polish with a handiwipe the external stem
and briar surfaces. I wipe out the bowl with a Spontex (scotchbrite like)
pad. This cuts down on required reaming. Then I put the pipe on the rack
for 3 or more days of rest. Regular cleaning keeps my pipes fresh and
ready.

dt



Reply from: Ken Dixon
Date: 09 Jul 2008, 22:36
Re: How do you care for your pipes ?

I'm lazy. I run a pipe cleaner down the stem after each smoke but for
the most part that's it. I do have an old torn up t-shirt for
"polishing" before returning the pipe to the resting rack.
Once a year, or when a pipe goes funky, I do a full cleaning with
numerous pipe cleaners, Everclear (and in the most extreme cases the
salt treatment) followed by a little Briar Wipe.

Ken in Miami

Reply from: Briarroot
Date: 09 Jul 2008, 09:03
Re: How do you care for your pipes ?

pipe smoker wrote:
> Greatings ASP !
> I've been wanting to do this post for some time now.
> Answeres don't have to be long.
> Just how do you fill, smoke and care for your pipes after your done
> with the smoke.
> Alot of new smokers have been joining our group recently and I
> thought this would be a good time for a post like this.
> I have alot to learn so I will to share until toward the end. I have a
> problem with often tasting ashes as soon as I lite up.
> I hope this post gets a lot of ASPers joyning in.
>

from the ASP FAQ:

"2.5 How Should I "Pack" My Pipe?

A pipe must be packed properly to ensure a good smoke; unfortunately,
learning to do this takes time and practice. In fact,
the art of packing a pipe is the most difficult task associated with
pipe smoking, and this can be very frustrating for the beginner. I
suspect that most people who have given up on trying to learn to smoke a
pipe did so primarily because they couldn't master packing a bowl
quickly enough to suit them.

The most common technique for packing a pipe is the "three layer"
method. The objective is to end up with a bowl that is evenly packed
from top to bottom; this is done by packing each layer progressively
tighter. Trickle tobacco into the bowl until it is slightly
overfull, then press very lightly with your finger until the bowl
appears half full. Fill the pipe again and press down until the pipe
is 2/3 to 3/4 full. Finally, overfill the pipe and press the top layer
down fairly firmly. When finished the tobacco should feel
"springy" to the touch. If it has no give at all, it's packed too tight.
If a touch leaves an indentation, it is packed too loosely.
Finally, test the "draw" by sucking air through the unlit pipe; the
resistance should be about like that felt when sipping a soft drink
through a straw. If the draw doesn't feel right, then empty the bowl and
start over. A slightly different touch must be used depending on the
size of the bowl and the cut and moisture level of the tobacco, but this
will become second nature with experience. In fact, you will undoubtedly
develop your own packing techniques with time, and you will find
yourself loading your pipe without even thinking about it.

If you find yourself frustrated by the fact that you simply can't get
the feel for packing your pipe, you might want to try a method
suggested by Mike Butera. Mike recommends chopping the tobacco, reducing
the ribbons into rectangles or squares about 1/4" long. The bowl is then
packed as described above. Some people have found that this method can
make the task of packing a bowl much easier.

2.6 How Should I Light My Pipe?

Barring such bizarre contraptions as parabolic mirrors, lasers, and
miniature blowtorches, there are three ways to light your pipe: with a
match, with a butane lighter, or with a fluid lighter (e.g. a "Zippo").

The wooden match is the traditional pipe lighting device. Strike the
match and hold it for a second or two while the sulfur burns off. Bring
the match to the tobacco surface and, while puffing gently, move the
match around the tobacco in a slow, even circle.

Butane lighters are more convenient than matches, and, unlike fluid
lighters, there is less risk of imparting an unpleasant taste to
your tobacco. If you wish to use a butane lighter, then purchase one
that is designed for pipes. Such lighters have an angled gas outlet that
makes it easier to direct the flame into the bowl while avoiding burned
fingers.

Fluid lighters share the convenience feature of butane, and they provide
the only truly reliable means of lighting a pipe in a stiff
wind. Zippo makes a lighter designed for pipes that has a circular hole
in the chimney which is placed over the bowl while the flame is "sucked"
into the tobacco. Other types of fluid lighters may be used as well, but
their broad flame makes it all too easy to char the rim of the pipe
bowl. The primary disadvantage to fluid lighters is that they can impart
a slight taste to the tobacco. Some swear that this can be prevented if
one merely waits a few seconds after igniting the lighter before
lighting the tobacco. I can still taste (smell?) the lighter fluid,
however, and I prefer my tobacco sans naphtha.

2.7 How Do I Keep My Pipe Lit?

Don't be overly concerned if you have difficulty keeping your pipe lit
at first. It is not unusual for even experienced smokers to have to
re-light several times, especially toward the bottom of the bowl. Try to
relax and enjoy yourself--that is the whole point, after all. You'll
find it much easier to keep your pipe lit with practice.

CHARRING LIGHT. The best way to keep your pipe lit is to light it
correctly at the beginning. Most people light their pipe twice.
Light the pipe as described above and puff a half dozen times or so.
Then tamp the surface of the tobacco down with your pipe tool and
re-light. The first lighting, often called the "charring light," will
char the top of the tobacco and prepare this surface for the second
lighting which will, with practice, take you through most of the bowl.

TAMPING. While smoking, ash residue will form at the top of the tobacco.
This residue should be gently tamped down periodically during the course
of a smoke and prior to re-lighting. This tamping serves to keep the
tobacco--which expands as it burns--properly packed and promotes even
burning. If the pipe has an especially tall bowl, the ash may sometimes
become so thick that it is difficult to re-light the tobacco below it.
If this occurs, loosen the ash gently with your pipe tool, dump the ash,
tamp, and re-light.

SMOKING PACE. The pace at which you smoke (i.e. the rhythm at which you
puff your pipe) is very important. With practice and experimentation you
will achieve the perfect pace for you. The idea is to puff frequently
enough to keep the tobacco lit, but not so frequently as to cause the
pipe to burn too hot, which contributes to tongue bite and may damage
your pipe. If you can't hold the bowl of your pipe comfortably in your
hand, or if you can't hold the side of the bowl against your face for
more than a few seconds, then you're smoking too fast. If this happens,
set the pipe down for a few minutes to cool, then re-light and start
again. Someone once described the perfect smoking pace as one where the
pipe is always on the verge of going out.

2.8 How Should I Clean My Pipe?

Your pipe should be cleaned after each smoke. To do this, first let the
pipe cool and then scoop or dump out any ash and "dottle"
(unburned tobacco that sometimes remains in the bottom of the bowl). Do
not bang the pipe against a hard surface, as this may result in a
cracked shank or broken stem. If you must, hold the bowl of the pipe in
one hand and strike the top of the bowl against the open palm of the
opposite hand. Once the bowl is empty, run a pipe cleaner through the
stem until it just enters the bowl and remove it. Repeat with additional
cleaners until they come out clean (many people, myself included, will
use both ends of a pipe cleaner before switching to a new one). Finally,
take one of the used cleaners, bend it into a "U" shape, and wipe out
the ash clinging to the sides of the bowl. [NOTE: Some people prefer to
leave the ash in the bowl, believing that it promotes a good cake. If
you like, try both ways and see what works best for you.] Set the pipe
aside to dry completely. *Ideally*, the pipe should be allowed to "rest"
for around 48 hours before smoking it again, but you might have to forgo
this luxury until you have enough pipes to do so.

Periodically, you'll want to clean your pipe a bit more thoroughly. In
addition to the steps above, you'll also want to carefully remove the
stem from the shank and wipe out the "gunk" that collects in the
mortise; a cotton swab (e.g. a "Q-tip") works well for this task. Some
people also advocate periodic cleaning of the stem and shank with pipe
cleaners soaked in alcohol (preferably some form of grain alcohol),
particularly if the pipe begins to taste a bit musty or sour. Do not,
however, get alcohol anywhere near the bowl of a meerschaum pipe."


The ASP FAQ is posted here from time to time though it seems largely
ignored. For those interested, the entire FAQ can be dredged up from
Google's archives here:
* groups.google . com /group/alt.smokers.pipes/msg/1bd1b87db15204e0

Links to various FAQs and other great pipe smoking resources can be
found here: * w w w .aspipes.org/


Regards,

Tim Parker ... McClelland's - Blakeney's Best Tawny Flake in a basket
billiard

--
"To take from one, because it is thought his own industry and that of
his fathers has acquired too much, in order to spare others who have not
exercised equal industry and skill, is to violate arbitrarily the first
principle of association: the guarantee to everyone the free exercise of
his industry and the fruits acquired by it." - Thomas Jefferson.

Reply from: Michael Hudson
Date: 09 Jul 2008, 16:24
Re: How do you care for your pipes ?

On Jul 8, 11:58=A0am, pipe_smoker <marcmax...@hotmail . com > wrote:
> =A0 Greatings ASP !
> I've been wanting to do this post for some time now.
> Answeres don't have to be long.
> Just how do you fill, smoke and care for your =A0pipes after your done
> with the smoke.

DOTTLE!

I seem to be the polar opposite of most posters. If pipe abuse were a
crime, I'd be wanted in all fifty states, however many territories and
a protectorate or two. Right now, I've got two pipes (that I know of)
on the back porch with, I'm sure, tobacco refuse therein. I've got
four or so sitting outside the front door =96 in rests, to my eternal
credit! =96 and these, too, are dottled up. And thy got rained on
yesterday, too. Maybe four in the car, ditto dottle. There are maybe
three with me now, in my briefcase, none of them cleaned. I've given
up on a regular rotation/rest regimen (I did give each their seven
day's due for a time, but that got to be too much work). I do try to
give each a few days off between outings, but that doesn't always
work, either. I smoke probably two pipes on any given day, probably
seven or eight bowls between then. I do use cleaners, most times,
before smoking (although if the pipe's sat for a couple of days, and
it's dry, I'll probably just bang it against my heel and call it good)
but I use the big ol' cheapo craft variety that I buy at Walmart in
whacking great bags and cut them in half at home.

As you may have surmised, I'm not a hobbyist or collector, just a pipe
smoker. Although I have my favorites and do smoke some decent briars
and meers =96 I've a number of Petes, both briar and meer, Stanwells, a
GBD, a Sav, I think, and some other mid-grades in the starting lineup
=96 most of my pipes are utilitarian estates that, if one goes missing,
the media is not alerted and the Usual Suspects are free to go about
their business without fear of being rounded up. Old Grabow Omegas
(the big ones, mostly from the 1950's, with real stems) are among my
most prized smoking possessions and, you won't be surprised to learn,
most of these have a protective layer of goo, carefully built up over
time, that protects the rim. I'm also a fan of old cobs which litter
the premises like grains of sand at the shore.

Please understand that I'm not advocating my way; I'm merely
confessing my wicked, wicked ways. I know that I'm at outlier, in
this group, anyhow, but I enjoy my pipes and have absolutely no issues
whatever with all y'all who smoke the good 'uns and pamper them like
pets. I'm sure you enjoy them and I suspect you enjoy taking care of
them, and I'm very happy for your pleasures. I did try to go that
route, but it just wasn't my way.

Smoke what you like and blah, blah, blah...

Hudson
Dragons slain, virgins rescued, copy written.

Reply from: Richard Evans
Date: 09 Jul 2008, 19:12
Re: How do you care for your pipes ?

Michael Hudson <mah@reddotcommunications . com > wrote:

>Please understand that I'm not advocating my way; I'm merely
>confessing my wicked, wicked ways. I know that I'm at outlier, in
>this group, anyhow, but I enjoy my pipes and have absolutely no issues
>whatever with all y'all who smoke the good 'uns and pamper them like
>pets. I'm sure you enjoy them and I suspect you enjoy taking care of
>them, and I'm very happy for your pleasures. I did try to go that
>route, but it just wasn't my way.
>


Hello, my name is Dick, and I'm an outlier too. Your posting has given
me the courage to come out of the closet and admit it. Until now, I
thought I was the only one of my kind, but now I see I have at least
one kindred spirit. This thread bothered me so much I found myself up
at 3:00 am this morning cleaning pipes to be sure I was doing it
"right." Your posting has relieved me of a great deal of guilt. I've
just fired up one of the pipes I didn't get around to cleaning last
night with some cheap-ass bulk tobacco I bought at a local drug store
and I raise that pipe to you.

Reply from: jerrygarrison
Date: 09 Jul 2008, 21:58
Re: How do you care for your pipes ?

On Jul 9, 10:24=A0am, Michael Hudson <m...@reddotcommunications . com >
wrote:
> On Jul 8, 11:58=A0am, pipe_smoker <marcmax...@hotmail . com > wrote:
>
> > =A0 Greatings ASP !
> > I've been wanting to do this post for some time now.
> > Answeres don't have to be long.
> > Just how do you fill, smoke and care for your =A0pipes after your done
> > with the smoke.
>
> DOTTLE!
>
> I seem to be the polar opposite of most posters. =A0If pipe abuse were a
> crime, I'd be wanted in all fifty states, however many territories and
> a protectorate or two. =A0Right now, I've got two pipes (that I know of)
> on the back porch with, I'm sure, tobacco refuse therein. =A0I've got
> four or so sitting outside the front door =96 in rests, to my eternal
> credit! =96 and these, too, are dottled up. =A0And thy got rained on
> yesterday, too. =A0Maybe four in the car, ditto dottle. =A0There are mayb=
e
> three with me now, in my briefcase, none of them cleaned. =A0I've given
> up on a regular rotation/rest regimen (I did give each their seven
> day's due for a time, but that got to be too much work). =A0I do try to
> give each a few days off between outings, but that doesn't always
> work, either. =A0I smoke probably two pipes on any given day, probably
> seven or eight bowls between then. =A0I do use cleaners, most times,
> before smoking (although if the pipe's sat for a couple of days, and
> it's dry, I'll probably just bang it against my heel and call it good)
> but I use the big ol' cheapo craft variety that I buy at Walmart in
> whacking great bags and cut them in half at home.
>
> As you may have surmised, I'm not a hobbyist or collector, just a pipe
> smoker. =A0Although I have my favorites and do smoke some decent briars
> and meers =96 I've a number of Petes, both briar and meer, =A0Stanwells, =
a
> GBD, a Sav, I think, and some other mid-grades in the starting lineup
> =96 most of my pipes are utilitarian estates that, if one goes missing,
> the media is not alerted and the Usual Suspects are free to go about
> their business without fear of being rounded up. =A0Old Grabow Omegas
> (the big ones, mostly from the 1950's, with real stems) are among my
> most prized smoking possessions and, you won't be surprised to learn,
> most of these have a protective layer of goo, carefully built up over
> time, that protects the rim. =A0I'm also a fan of old cobs which litter
> the premises like grains of sand at the shore.
>
> Please understand that I'm not advocating my way; I'm merely
> confessing my wicked, wicked ways. =A0I know that I'm at outlier, in
> this group, anyhow, but I enjoy my pipes and have absolutely no issues
> whatever with all y'all who smoke the good 'uns and pamper them like
> pets. =A0I'm sure you enjoy them and I suspect you enjoy taking care of
> them, and I'm very happy for your pleasures. =A0I did try to go that
> route, but it just wasn't my way.
>
> Smoke what you like and blah, blah, blah...
>
> Hudson
> Dragons slain, virgins rescued, copy written.

Dang fellow Pipers,
Ya'll treat your pipes as if you got em dirty with one smoke. Come on
now fellows can't you get two or three smokes before you must polish
the bowl? My goodness, I love my pipes but I sure as heck don't pet em
as if they were not made of strong wood. I will bet all of you a bag
of 5100 that my pipes smoke just as well and are as long lasting as
any of yours. Don't you just love these discussions? :)
jerrygarrison

Reply from: radarman
Date: 10 Jul 2008, 04:25
Re: How do you care for your pipes ?

On Wed, 9 Jul 2008 07:24:57 -0700 (PDT), Michael Hudson
<mah@reddotcommunications . com > wrote:

>On Jul 8, 11:58 am, pipe smoker <marcmax...@hotmail . com > wrote:
>>   Greatings ASP !
>> I've been wanting to do this post for some time now.
>> Answeres don't have to be long.
>> Just how do you fill, smoke and care for your  pipes after your done
>> with the smoke.
>
>DOTTLE!
>
>I seem to be the polar opposite of most posters. If pipe abuse were a
>crime, I'd be wanted in all fifty states, however many territories and
>a protectorate or two. Right now, I've got two pipes (that I know of)
>on the back porch with, I'm sure, tobacco refuse therein. I've got
>four or so sitting outside the front door – in rests, to my eternal
>credit! – and these, too, are dottled up. And thy got rained on
>yesterday, too. Maybe four in the car, ditto dottle. There are maybe
>three with me now, in my briefcase, none of them cleaned. I've given
>up on a regular rotation/rest regimen (I did give each their seven
>day's due for a time, but that got to be too much work). I do try to
>give each a few days off between outings, but that doesn't always
>work, either. I smoke probably two pipes on any given day, probably
>seven or eight bowls between then. I do use cleaners, most times,
>before smoking (although if the pipe's sat for a couple of days, and
>it's dry, I'll probably just bang it against my heel and call it good)
>but I use the big ol' cheapo craft variety that I buy at Walmart in
>whacking great bags and cut them in half at home.
>
>As you may have surmised, I'm not a hobbyist or collector, just a pipe
>smoker. Although I have my favorites and do smoke some decent briars
>and meers – I've a number of Petes, both briar and meer, Stanwells, a
>GBD, a Sav, I think, and some other mid-grades in the starting lineup
>– most of my pipes are utilitarian estates that, if one goes missing,
>the media is not alerted and the Usual Suspects are free to go about
>their business without fear of being rounded up. Old Grabow Omegas
>(the big ones, mostly from the 1950's, with real stems) are among my
>most prized smoking possessions and, you won't be surprised to learn,
>most of these have a protective layer of goo, carefully built up over
>time, that protects the rim. I'm also a fan of old cobs which litter
>the premises like grains of sand at the shore.
>
>Please understand that I'm not advocating my way; I'm merely
>confessing my wicked, wicked ways. I know that I'm at outlier, in
>this group, anyhow, but I enjoy my pipes and have absolutely no issues
>whatever with all y'all who smoke the good 'uns and pamper them like
>pets. I'm sure you enjoy them and I suspect you enjoy taking care of
>them, and I'm very happy for your pleasures. I did try to go that
>route, but it just wasn't my way.
>
>Smoke what you like and blah, blah, blah...
>
>Hudson
>Dragons slain, virgins rescued, copy written.


Right on... Right on... Right on...

Looking arouind my desk I see four that need to have the dottle
cleaned out.
Radarman

Reply from: Red
Date: 10 Jul 2008, 06:46
Re: How do you care for your pipes ?

On Jul 8, 8:58 am, pipe smoker <marcmax...@hotmail . com > wrote:
>   Greatings ASP !
> I've been wanting to do this post for some time now.
> Answeres don't have to be long.
> Just how do you fill, smoke and care for your  pipes after your done
> with the smoke.
>   Alot of new smokers have been joining our group recently and I
> thought this would be a good  time for a post like this.
> I have alot to learn so I will to share until toward the end. I have a
> problem with often tasting ashes as soon as I lite up.
>  I hope this post gets a lot of ASPers joyning in.
>                                     =
                     Pipe Smoker
> in L. A..

Howdy! I have been told by my fellows her on ASP, " I am Mr. Monk"
of pipe care. I like the thought!! I will smoke a pipe Two day in a
row. Always they a cleaned and polished after every smoke. I run
several cleaners through them till the come out clean. then after a
hour or so rest I take them apart and swab out the shank with tissue
and run a cleaner of 151 rum through it. the stem gets two or three
cleaners the first with 151 the last till its clean. I have a 35
pipe collection, so they all get a nice long rest in the racks. Never
had a bad smoke in the years of puffin.
Just my 00.02 worth YMMV
Red.
All quiet on the western front.

Reply from: pipe_smoker
Date: 10 Jul 2008, 11:09
Re: How do you care for your pipes ?

On Jul 9, 9:46 pm, Red <REDSR...@buffalo . com > wrote:
> On Jul 8, 8:58 am, pipe smoker <marcmax...@hotmail . com > wrote:
>
> >   Greatings ASP !
> > I've been wanting to do this post for some time now.
> > Answeres don't have to be long.
> > Just how do you fill, smoke and care for your  pipes after your done
> > with the smoke.
> >   Alot of new smokers have been joining our group recently and I
> > thought this would be a good  time for a post like this.
> > I have alot to learn so I will to share until toward the end. I have a
> > problem with often tasting ashes as soon as I lite up.
> >  I hope this post gets a lot of ASPers joyning in.
> >                                    =
                     Pipe Smoker
> > in L. A..
>
> Howdy!  I have been told by my fellows her on ASP, " I am Mr. Monk"
> of pipe care.  I like the thought!!  I will smoke a pipe Two day in a
> row.  Always they a cleaned and polished after every smoke.  I run
> several cleaners through them till the come out clean.  then after a
> hour or so rest I take them apart and swab out the shank with tissue
> and run a cleaner of 151 rum through it.  the stem gets two or three
> cleaners the first with 151  the last till its clean.  I have a 35
> pipe collection, so they all get a nice long rest in the racks.  Never
> had a bad smoke in the years of puffin.
> Just my 00.02 worth YMMV
> Red.
> All quiet on the western front.








Pipe Smoker here,
Thanks for all the support. This is my 2nd time trying to do this. I
lost the first attempt to some key I pushed accidently.
My ash problem that I had is gone.
I've had an off again on again problem of tasting ashes when liting up
in a clean pipe. I tried every way to fill he pipe but no
luck.
After starting this thread I rememberd that my Native American
friends use White Sage smoke to get rid of any negative
influence(sp?). So I did all my 103+ pipes, racks, tobacco jars and
the rest of my Apt. as well.
It worked ! I'm serious here. I smoke from 2-7 bowls a day and all my
smokes today were ash free !
Who knows ? I tried everything else so why not that?
I clean a pipe after I've smoked it and it has cooled down. I want
to get all the moisture out before it has time to soak into the Briar.
I keep useing pipe cleaners until they come out white.
Right now I'm behind by 2 pipes. Its a relaxing thing to do while
watching T. V.
I fill my pipe(if its loose tobacco) in thirds: titest bottum 1/3,
lighter 2/3 and almost loose from there to top. For Flake tobacco I
fold almost to the top then rub a little out to aid the lite.
I have what like call an eye--nose rotation .
2/3 of my pipes are for VA. VAper blends: 1/3 for blends with Latakia
and Orientals no scented or flavoring in any of what I smoke.
As to my type of rotation. With 103 pipes its easy to find one that is
pleaseing to look at and has no tobacco smell at all.
Thanks again to all that posted. I hope this thread was a help to
pipe smokers just starting out. Some of the posts really got me
laughing.
 
Pipe Smoker in L. A..

Reply from: randyw
Date: 10 Jul 2008, 15:44
Re: How do you care for your pipes ?

Let's take a closer look at this odd hobby of ours. First we spend an
inordinant amount of money on a small carved piece of wood. Then we
take chopped up varieties of tobacco leaves and assorted other debris,
and stuff them into the little piece of wood. Then we set the chopped
up leaves on fire, and pull the smoke from the burning leaves into our
mouths, and God forbid, into our lungs as well?

I pretty much smoke my favorite pipes, without worrying about any kind
of rotation. I used to smoke all kinds of tobacco in my pipes, not
really caring about the ghosting effects of aromatic tobaccos. I've
sense learned not to do this anymore, and have one pipe I use for
aromatics, and this one doesn't get used all that much anymore. I have
been known to dump out the dottle after a smoke, and then filler up
again and smoke away. None of my bowls have cracks, none have ever had
a burn-out in the base. After some ten years of smoking pipes, I've
only had to have one repair, and this was because I was a klutz, and
dropped my treasured Big Ben, on the concrete floor of my garage,
which made the stem too loose. The repair went well, and she still
smokes like a dream.

I do clean my pipes, when I think they're in need of a cleaning. I
don't polish the stems, and I don't wax the outside of my pipes. I
don't chew or bite my stems, so there are virtually no bite marks on
my pipes, except for the one's I've purchased in estate sales.

So, I guess I'm in the minority, as to being not overly excessive at
caring for my pipes. But to my fellow puffers I say, do whatever you
want to do with your pipes. Enjoy a good smoke, with a good draught of
your favorite swill, and be kind to one another. I'm a firm believer
in what comes around, goes around. Later Guy's...


On Jul 8, 11:58 am, pipe smoker <marcmax...@hotmail . com > wrote:
>   Greatings ASP !
> I've been wanting to do this post for some time now.
> Answeres don't have to be long.
> Just how do you fill, smoke and care for your  pipes after your done
> with the smoke.
>   Alot of new smokers have been joining our group recently and I
> thought this would be a good  time for a post like this.
> I have alot to learn so I will to share until toward the end. I have a
> problem with often tasting ashes as soon as I lite up.
>  I hope this post gets a lot of ASPers joyning in.
>                                     =
                     Pipe Smoker
> in L. A..


Reply from: schnorrer
Date: 10 Jul 2008, 21:48
Re: How do you care for your pipes ?

1) I have a dozen pipes, 7 are in rotation.
2) After a smoke, I run a cleaner through the stem (tapered cleaner
with bents). I then pull it out and discard it. It goes most of the
way down the stem, and seems to soak up some dark juice which I figure
is a good thing. Also, it pulls out any loose bits of tobacco so they
are not in my mouth next time I smoke.
3) I wipe the bitt dry before putting the pipe away to reduce
oxidation
4) My pipes are kept upright in a stand
5) One pipe per day is used. I smoke 2-3 bowls a day. After a days
use, it goes into the rack and not used until I have smoked the other
six pipes in line. Each pipe is smoked 3 to 6 times before I
consider giving it a "deep" cleaning. A deep cleaning is everclear on
a bristle cleaner, q-tips, and dry fluffy pipe cleaners.
6) I ream once in a blue moon
7) I polish stems and bowls rarely
8) Some of my pipes look pretty and shiny. Others are dented,
scratched and oxidized. I don't care.

They seem to smoke well, never sour. A freshly cleaned pipe tastes
best to me, but even a "used" pipe that has been smoke a couple of
time tastes fine to me so I don't stress about it.
I think I get away with this because I only smoke one or two brands of
Virginias that burn to a light, dry ash. I have one pipe for
aromatics (hardly used), and corncobs for misc. tobacco.

That's my story and I am sticking to it.

On Jul 8, 8:58 am, pipe smoker <marcmax...@hotmail . com > wrote:
>   Greatings ASP !
> I've been wanting to do this post for some time now.
> Answeres don't have to be long.
> Just how do you fill, smoke and care for your  pipes after your done
> with the smoke.
>   Alot of new smokers have been joining our group recently and I
> thought this would be a good  time for a post like this.
> I have alot to learn so I will to share until toward the end. I have a
> problem with often tasting ashes as soon as I lite up.
>  I hope this post gets a lot of ASPers joyning in.
>                                     =
                     Pipe Smoker
> in L. A..





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