Ok, I just learned about the proper use of a tamper. I just thought it was a way to pack a pipe, yeah I was wrong. For packing my pipe, I used a combination folding and balling it up a bit to fill it about half way. Then I broke up some to fill it all the rest of the way. I lit it with a kitchen match and after a few puffs, I used the tamper after the tobacco rose up some. Then I re-lit it to start smoking it. I loved the smell, not over powering, a nice pleasant one. I even did the cigar thing of taking in a good mouthful and exhaling it through my nose, to help with the flavor. Not harsh at all, on the medium type strength side for me. I used the tamper four times while smoking the pipe and it stayed lit until it was finished. Besides getting some more of the OGS, I'll need to get some tobacco in bulk, which I think I found. Overall a nice and pleasant experience, which I will do more of after my dinner.
Think I'm going to order a two con cob pipe set, decent price shipped. Gonna need for those "drug store" tobaccos as so far local tobacco stores only carry them, no tins.
That’s typical for most tobacco stores, generally carrying few if any pipes, and only bulk aromatics and/or the drugstore brands. I’m very fortunate to have a quality pipe shop nearby with an extensive pipe and tin selection, and a longtime tobacconist owner. I’ve been his customer for 39 years.
Pretty much what to expect from small towns. Back in Rochester, NY, tobacco shops had lots of choices.
One of those nights of dozing off early and getting up in the early morning hours. And what did I do, make coffee and pack a bowl...........
Just curious as to know how pipe smokers here clean their pipes, basically what solution you use, alcohol (drinking and rubbing), salt water, etc. And how frequently you do it.
I never use anything but vodka. Swab the stem every use. Salt and alcohol is very occasionally to treat cake. Never heard of salt water, sound like a bad idea. Rubbing alcohol is toxic when inhaled, that's why we use ordinary liquor instead.
Here’s a little better pic of the Morta. Smoking Newminister 700 Navy Flake in it right now in the garage. Turned off fairly cool again, or I would be on the deck.
I use Vodka or Everclear. I suppose any spirits would work, but I don’t want any taste imparted to the shank from bourbon, rum, etc. I don’t know for a fact that would happen. I’ve also read that rubbing alcohol is okay as long as you let it thoroughly dry before smoking. In fact one commercial cleaner I know of smelled exactly like wintergreen rubbing alcohol. I use vodka or Everclear on a pipe cleaner pretty much after each smoke. I dip maybe an inch into the spirits, run that through the stem and shank, and then run a dry pipe cleaner through. I reassemble the pipe pretty quickly, then let it dry for several days. Actually I don’t smoke the same pipe for maybe a couple of weeks or more.
Hopefully in the next few days, my Cristiano and two corn cobs will be here so I can also give my pipes a break.
Orlik Golden Slice in my Tony Warner. That's pretty much 90% of my smokes. Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk
And fortunately I've found a local shop willing to order more Orlik for me, as very few shops here carry much in tins. Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk
That said, are there any decent bulks while I'm waiting on my orders? Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk
