So I was reading another thread and saw this...
I responded:
Result? Threadjack, as follows. (My apologies to the OP of that thread!)
So here I am.
To answer that last question: I've got a couple cobs, one a MM and one a cheap eBay cob from China.
I'm practicing on drugstore tobacco, Admiral's Choice Cherry Cavendish, because I don't want to waste decent (and expensive) stuff by failing to smoke it. (I was going to get Captain Black but then I asked SWMBO for her opinion on the options that were there and she said her dad smoked cherry and she'd like to smell that. I was happy to oblige. Perhaps a mere captain caveman such as myself should not attempt to smoke his Admiral? A rank issue?)
I also tried once with Milan Neapolitan.
http://www.milantobacco.com/milanpipetobacco.htm
I have their sample pack. Once I get the hang of smoking the pipe I'll try the non-aromatic and English samples but for now I'm saving them.
I'm not disappointed in my results, just chatting about it. I've loaded my pipes maybe 7 times and lit them about 40 times (based on match usage -- 1 box of 32 plus a few tries with a lighter). I've played with a variety of techniques I've read for charring, tamping, stirring, even poking a hole down the center (which was a disaster, next draw was a mouth full of ash). I don't think I've smoked one whole pipe's worth yet. I don't imagine that's a sufficient amount of practice.
I think care and appreciation are the biggest parts here with cigars. If a guy ruins a cigar, he's usually just smoking it to show off or celebrate an occasion and doesn't have any experience. Pipes can be fool-proof too and self-explanatory as long as you take it slow and care about what you are doing.
I responded:
My pipe proved that I'm a fool, I guess. Couldn't get the darn thing to stay lit for more than 30 seconds. I tried packing it 3 times using the Frank method, another technique I read elsewhere, then just guessing. Each time the result matched descriptions of how it ought to be. This fool's gonna need more practice!
Result? Threadjack, as follows. (My apologies to the OP of that thread!)
Practice makes perfect! Also, make sure your 'baccy isn't too wet when you fill (I dislike the term "pack") your pipe. No matter the method, it wont stay lit very well if it's too wet.
I was thinking it might be too wet. It feels a little more moist than I expect is appropriate. Any shortcuts for drying it, or just leave some out for a few days?
Edit: I should have googled first and posted second. Turns out sufficient drying might happen just leaving it out for a half hour.
No worries, we love to answer questions here!
Well in that case, continuing to jack this thread...slightly better success tonight, if you consider having to puff hard every 5 seconds to keep it alive and getting 3 minutes out of it good. I'm going to let some dry overnight...
Make your own thread if you wish. A "smoking journal" of sorts. We can all chime in with tips/tricks/hints/advice and you can keep a running tally of your smoking adventures to learn from.
Ok, have to ask... what tobacco are you using in what pipe?
So here I am.
To answer that last question: I've got a couple cobs, one a MM and one a cheap eBay cob from China.
I'm practicing on drugstore tobacco, Admiral's Choice Cherry Cavendish, because I don't want to waste decent (and expensive) stuff by failing to smoke it. (I was going to get Captain Black but then I asked SWMBO for her opinion on the options that were there and she said her dad smoked cherry and she'd like to smell that. I was happy to oblige. Perhaps a mere captain caveman such as myself should not attempt to smoke his Admiral? A rank issue?)
I also tried once with Milan Neapolitan.
http://www.milantobacco.com/milanpipetobacco.htm
I have their sample pack. Once I get the hang of smoking the pipe I'll try the non-aromatic and English samples but for now I'm saving them.
I'm not disappointed in my results, just chatting about it. I've loaded my pipes maybe 7 times and lit them about 40 times (based on match usage -- 1 box of 32 plus a few tries with a lighter). I've played with a variety of techniques I've read for charring, tamping, stirring, even poking a hole down the center (which was a disaster, next draw was a mouth full of ash). I don't think I've smoked one whole pipe's worth yet. I don't imagine that's a sufficient amount of practice.