Coatings are a shortcut and we all know about shortcuts. The 1/4 and 1/2 bowl advice is either incorrect or misstated. The key with a new pipe and really any is whatever fill you use, it must be smoked to the end or risk a sour pipe. I don't smoke regularly anymore and have some big bowl pipes so I often smoke less than a full pipe. Also, a lot of what's being said here doesn't apply to a lot of the pipes I see being smoked in these messages as they come "pre-caked." I'm talking naked briar. The sour pipe part applies across the board though -- if you routinely do not finish bowls, you run into problems.
I agree with you on naked briar, and smoking to the end. The pipes I have had prolonged break-in with, my Stefano and Chacoms, all were naked briar. On the other hand, my Nordings and Neerup pipes, Peterson, and others, had a carbon coating. I do believe you have better results to start with a little less than a full bowl. 1/4 or 1/2 may be taking that to an extreme. But I have seen new pipes that started out with full bowls build more cake toward the top. Personally, I think just something under a full bowl works, whether it's 2/3 or 3/4 or 4/5 full.
also @Lo'Gosh Pre caked pipes- I just smoke em like they are broken in. On naked briar, I use 100proof vodka to remove any stain from the bowl chamber and clean the wood. This helps the tobacco stick to the bowl and form dry cake. I believe this works like the Brandy rinse method, though I only do it once.
I finished off last nights pipe this morning then repacked it and smoked it again this evening. Last night I smoked on it while I walked down to the store and again on the way back. I only managed to smoke half of it so I just left it on the shelf for this morning to enjoy with my coffee. I managed to slip out for a full bowl full late this evening after the kids went to bed. Flea Market Kaywoodie and Captain Black Gold
Again, the key is smoke what you load. I can see what you say about a very full new pipe though. Another I used to hear is that with naked briar, you want to be careful abou smoking real hot early in the pipe's life. I can't really speak to that in that I never smoke all that hot anyway.
Some Mac Bare Vanilla Creme in my MM Maplewood pipe. MM pipes are such great smokers for being so "cheap". Gotta love em! Also, kind of off topic for this thread, but i figure it's more likely to be seen here and my other thread hasn't really been seen at all. Any of you gents use or know anyone who uses Barrister and Mann Latha soaps; and perhaps have on hand any empty tubs you or they might be willing to get rid of? Trying to better organize my shave supplies and the B&M tubs would be perfect for the loose soap pucks I have mussin everything up, lol. Thanks. =)
Yeah, sadly, I tried that a couple months ago with a Mac Baren tin and some Stirling Vanilla Sandalwood; and the problem with the tobacco tins is that they rust quite fast. Luckily I was able to save the soap. However it's now sitting piled on a soap dish with a few others. I figured the B&M ones would work perfect; as they're the perfect size, they wont rust and they stack well. Sadly, Maggard gets all their B&M for samples in guge buckets; so no empty jars to buy. Oh well. Hopefully I'll stumble across a few. lol
No pipe this evening. I was out and about earlier and its too cold for me out now. My apartments have a no smoking inside policy so I'll wait for warmer weather. Seeing all the higher end tobacco you guys are smoking makes me want something better then the grocery store tobacco I have now. When I trade with Jim I may have to stop into the pipe shop in Asheville and see if anything is within my meager budget.
We have a place called "Al's Newsstand" here and the images that name conjures up are probably quite accurate to what the place is. It certainly isn't a high end tobacco shop. But they have their own "house blends" which I can only assume are something they buy in bulk from some distributer. They aren't nearly as expensive as premium tobaccos but are light years ahead of the Borkum Riffs and so on.
The local store I know of is Pipes Etc. They tend to be expensive. They also sell some wetshaving stuff.
All of us here love to give business to a local little guy; especially if we have a good one around. But I'd say check out Pipes and Cigars and WV smoke shop. You can get some "high end" tobacco from either at a low price. As an example, Lane Crown Achievement. Once the most expensive tobacco available due to it's components. So expensive, it was phased out. Now brought back and at what is not only a lower price than original, but low period! Still made with the same components to the exact same standars; but at I think $7.99 a tin! I think you'll find some very good stuff well within budget. =D And remember, don't necessarily shy away from stuff that looks "cheap". Like John Bull. Great tobacco, and a great value. Looks like a "Grocery Store" blend in a pouch, and is about $2-3 a pouch. But is FAR from being a cheap or poor product. Hope I've been of some help. =)
