Pipe smoking

[Robusto]

Just prompted by Deano's Dad's gift - a pipe.

Pipe smoking.
Have you?
Do you?
Would you?

[linfield100]

I tried a pipe quite a few years ago, difficult to get used to though.
Most tobaccos were too strong, but some of the aromatic ones were quite nice.

Tony

[Robusto]

I never have and I don't fancy the idea at all.

[Deano]

Hm I'd try it for the sake of it, but I doubt it'll ever be like a cigar to me. The whole essence of a cigar is its girth, smell, packed-leaf, box, label, and all sorts of other things that cigarettes and pipe tabacco don't do.

[Robusto]

Agree with all that, Deano. It's fetishistic in a non-rubber and tubing way, and that's what makes Havanas special.

[rokkitsci]

Just prompted by Deano's Dad's gift - a pipe.

Pipe smoking.
Have you?
Do you?
Would you?

Been a pipe smoker for over 30 years; however, in the past 2-3, it's been more stogies, less pipe.

They are two totally different experiences with different appeal and different drawbacks.

[Robusto]

Rok

What are the appeals and drawbacks, mate?

[Wildwood]

I used to smoke a pipe back in the late 1970s...I really wanted to like it, but I just used to get "hot tongue" all the time (sounds kinky that...). I really tried it to help get off ciggies, but after a while I realised that a very young looking 20 year old with a pipe and curly hair just looked a complete w&nker...

I love all the esoteric stuff with pipes though...the baccy mixes, the history etc etc...as I say, I really did want to like it...

Wildwood

[rokkitsci]

Rok

What are the appeals and drawbacks, mate?

Well, the appeal of a fine cigar has been discussed adequately amongst us, so I'll assume you want to know about pipes.

First off is "pipe ambiance." There's a stereotypical image of the kindly grandfather or the insightful Holmes that people tend to associate with pipe smokers which predisposes them to like or admire you.

Then there's the fact that the aroma of pipe tobacco, for the most part, is pleasant. I almost always get compliments on the way my pipe smoke smells. A lot of: "that reminds me of my grandfather" or "gee, that makes me think of my weird Uncle Albert."

Another factor is that YOU control the flavor of your pipe. There are myriad tobacco blends. Furthermore, the same tobacco in different pipes tastes and smokes differently.

There's also the satisfaction of smoking a well-packed pipe without having to frequently re-light it; an art, really.

There are; however, drawbacks. Cleaning the bloody things is a tedious and dirty job. Additionally, you have to carry around paraphernalia: the pipe(s) itself, tobacco, some form of pipe tool, an ignition device. And you can't just pull it out and fire it up. You must pack it just so, then torch it properly.

There is one similarity, though: both pipes and cigars lend themselves to tranquil contemplation. Not like a ciggie that you can just hang in your mouth while you muck out the stall.

Hope I've helped you understand a bit, Robusto.

[Robusto]

You have indeed, mate.

It's the cleaning that I wouldn't like because when I've seen a granddad freshening and de-clogging his pipe, there has always been a foul stench in the air. Revolting dead tobacco and saliva. Horrible!

[cohibaIV]

I think if a started on the Pipe as well as smoking cigars the missus would be packint the old suitcase!!!!

[t4tomuk]

The range of different tobaccos and aromas you can get for a pipe really are quite amazing. Whoever likened it to more like a cigar than cigarettes is right, I saw it as something you could do whilst sitting somewhere and enoying a nice view or contemplating some deep thoughts.

Cleaning and lugging it about can be a pain, as can just the general smell of the pipe after you've smoked in it abit as some of the ash stuff coats the end of the pipe, which it is supposed to to a certain degree, but it does smell rubbish.

There's always an unmistakeable aroma with pipe tobacco's though, you can be walking behind someone smoking a pipe and you'll know instantly they must be smoking a pipe as opposed to anything else.

[nicwing]

Have you?
I have in my time had about 4 pipes and in all about 6 tins of tobacco. I say tins because I only smoked the pipes when I was fishing and it keeps reasonably considering I only fish now and then.

Do you?
Hmmm, not for a while, it does, as Dame Edna was heard to say about Lesbianism "leave a nasty taste in the mouth".

However I could be partly to blame, I always went for fairly exotic tobacco. My brother got me a Meershaam (?) pipe from Istanbul and thanks to Vivian Stanshall's Sir Henry Rawlinson I had to smoke Perique in it (See Wikipedia:Perique, A farmer called Pierre Chenet is credited with first turning this local tobacco into the Perique in 1824 through the technique of pressure-fermentation. Considered the truffle of pipe tobaccos, it is used as a component in many blended pipe tobaccos, but is too strong to be smoked pure. At one time, the freshly moist Perique was also chewed, but none is now sold for this purpose. It is typically blended with pure Virginia to lend spice, strength, and coolness to the blend.)

Blew my head off.

Would you?
Not sure, I loved having a prop; for pointing, thinking and tapping on my teeth but can't say I enjoyed it as much as Cigars.

I think I might though, but something a tad lighter in future methinks.

[Robusto]

Do you?
Hmmm, not for a while, it does, as Dame Edna was heard to say about Lesbianism "leave a nasty taste in the mouth".

Fantastic! Another lover of Edna quotes!

[daverave999]

I tried it for a few months when I was still in uni. Not in public you understand. It was some briar thing I got for about three quid.

Went well with online poker and a bottle of cheap red wine, but I could never keep the damn thing lit so gave up in the end. Still got it somewhere.

I'm 28-if I smoke a cigar in a beer garden, I look cool. If I was smoking a pipe, people are likely to take the piss.

That said, if I managed to work out how to keep it lit then I may still be enjoying it alone.