First steps down another slope

[Moglman]

I have taken my first steps into pipe smoking. I have purchased several cheapie pipes. I have been reading all the advice on good quality pipes, and I plan to make some better purchases soon. I learned that cleaning dirty estate pipes really blows. I need to figure out a good way for buffing out stems, and I assume it's a buffing wheel, though I'd like a simpler alternatuve.

Here are the first tobaccos I purchased, based entirely on reviews: Esoterica Stonehaven, CAO Midnight Ride, Astley's #99, C&D Easy Times, G&H Bob's Chocolate Flake, McClelland 2010 Virgina, McClelland 2015 Virginia Perique.

The only tobacco I've tried so far is the Stonehaven. I found it to be very smooth, straight tobacco taste, zero tongue bite, and fairly tasty. It lit fast, and once I learned how to pack the bowl, It kept a light pretty easily. There was a lot of bright white smoke. I plan to pick up some additional aromatics to learn what I like in these, and would welcome any suggestions.

http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/4263/briars110720055xm.jpg
http://img353.imageshack.us/img353/9216/tobacco110720050bw.jpg

[Wasch_24]

Cool man! I am really starting to dig the pipe smoking. It is a very nice change of pace IMO.

I'm gona get a chance to try some of that Stonehaven pretty soon in Sgresso's box pass on CW. :thumbsup:

[sgresso]

Todd I sent some stonehaven in you pipe bomb...
so in 2 days you get to try it.
The stuff I have is from 1990...

[sgresso]

The quickedt way to clean the inside of the pipe bit and shank is everclear or other high grade booze.
It leaves no taste and get the gunk out.
Do not use it on the outside thought because it can remove the finish.
I ususlly dip a cleaner or 2 and run it throught the pipe but and shank.

plain nutural shoe polish is a good buffing material for the pipe.
Just make sure its just carnuba wax and no additives.
just my .02 on cleaning estate pipes.

[Wasch_24]

Dude you sent me a pipe bomb!? WTH did I ever do to you!? :hysterica

[Moglman]

The quickedt way to clean the inside of the pipe bit and shank is everclear or other high grade booze.
It leaves no taste and get the gunk out.
Do not use it on the outside thought because it can remove the finish.
I ususlly dip a cleaner or 2 and run it throught the pipe but and shank.

plain nutural shoe polish is a good buffing material for the pipe.
Just make sure its just carnuba wax and no additives.
just my .02 on cleaning estate pipes.
Thanks for the advice, sgresso. I used Bacardi 151, but think everclear would be the better choice. I did the salt/alcohol mix for the bowl, and it helped a lot. Some were really dirty, and a 0.17" air rifle nylon cleaning brush in alcohol seemed to work well for the heavy buildup, but I was very careful to not score the inside of the shank. I didn't use this at all on the stem. The shoe polish is a good idea. I used some carnuba wood wax, but I don't think the carnuba was much over 30%. The stems are so oxidized, that hand polishing just seems to be futile, but I probably didn't work long enough at it.

I had a bowl of the Astley #99 tonight but I have no frame of reference to describe it. It was good, more latakia taste but pretty smooth, getting better further down the bowl. I had to relight quite a bit, but that's all on me. I still have the taste on my palate.

[Poni]

I used Bacardi 151, but think everclear would be the better choice.

I remember the first time I drank everclear. :noemotion

[Wasch_24]

I think Ted uses 151.

[tedski]

I remember the first time I drank everclear. :noemotion

I don't ...

In fact that whole evening is a blur ... :skew: :lookaroun

[sgresso]

whats wrong with the everclear?
i have a house drink i make with it dry vermouth and goldsclger its called a flaming squirrel

[schuellk]

whats wrong with the everclear?
i have a house drink i make with it dry vermouth and goldsclger its called a flaming squirrel

Are you sure that's the only that's flaming after drinking something like that? Make sure you don't break wind near anyone who's smoking!

[Hal]

Would Jack Daniels work if you don't have any Everclear???

:bouncetau

[rpb67]

Moglman.

Its called baby steps. Five pipes and a bunch of tobacco is not baby steps.

You went straight to insane and being an addict.

OMG !!! Congrats my man and enjoy those pipes.

[Wasch_24]

Moglman.

Its called baby steps. Five pipes and a bunch of tobacco is not baby steps.

You went straight to insane and being an addict.

OMG !!! Congrats my man and enjoy those pipes.:hysterica


This was acquired in less than three weeks.

http://www.botl.org/community/gallery/files/2/7/Tob-Haven-Open.jpg

[tedski]

Would Jack Daniels work if you don't have any Everclear???

Yes ... you can use almost any high proof liquor (Vodka, Bourbon, Run, etc). In fact, to keep it ultra cheap, you could use the 75 cent isopropyl alcohol that you find at your local drug store. Get the plain/clear stuff - not the mint/evergreen flavored.

Just remember not to get it on the outside of the pipe for more than a couple seconds as it will remove the stain finish.

[Hal]

Thanks Ted. It was a joke, but I see the point. :)

Todd, you have way too much money... send some my way wouldja??? lol

[Wasch_24]

Nah, the cigars and humidor were acquired over the course of a year. The pipes and tobaccos were acquired pretty rapidly though.

[Moglman]

Moglman.

Its called baby steps. Five pipes and a bunch of tobacco is not baby steps.

You went straight to insane and being an addict.

OMG !!! Congrats my man and enjoy those pipes.
It's funny, but it only takes one look at the excesses of others (Todd, Klugs, et al.) to realize I'm behind the curve. I need to pick it up! :rofl:

Seriously though, it really is amazing how much better a decent pipe smokes than a cheapo. I'll be learning for quite some time.

[caudio51]

I've been meaning to have my back set me up with a pipe to try. Maybe this weekend.