Am I doing somethimg wrong here?

[gax1985]

Hello all !

Nagged by curiosty , I went out today and bought myself a Hardwood Meerschaum Missouri pipe , and a tin of Samuel Gawith's Chocolate Flake . Does this pipe need breakng in ? The first bowl I loaded it to 3/4 after rubbing it and packing it . I got some serious tongue bite and the bowl got hot very fast . So am I doing it wrong ? In terms of taste , it does not taste like it smells ! I appreciate all the help you guys can give ! Thanks

[lxskllr]

Flake is a little tougher than other styles, and in my limited experience, English tobaccos tend to be strong. It sounds to me like you were hotboxing it though. Smoke it slow and easy. It isn't a race, and you'll likely have to relight it a few times.

[gax1985]

Thanks for the info ! Is this pipe's bowl thinner in terms of the wall ? How long do you think is enough between pipe sessions ? Have you ever tried this tobacco ? Im letting it dry out to see if it would smoke any better !

[lxskllr]

Corncob is a good smoking pipe. It's best to rotate pipes, but if you aren't smoking several bowls a day, it isn't that big a deal. I've never tried that tobacco, and I haven't regularly smoked a pipe in years. Drying it may help a bit. I was always partial to moist tobaccos, but they can cause tongue bite. Just don't hit it hard while you're smoking. It isn't like a cigarette. A pipes better for mellow, contemplative sessions, when you can give it the time it requires.

[sirloot]

Corncob is a good smoking pipe. It's best to rotate pipes, but if you aren't smoking several bowls a day, it isn't that big a deal. I've never tried that tobacco, and I haven't regularly smoked a pipe in years. Drying it may help a bit. I was always partial to moist tobaccos, but they can cause tongue bite. Just don't hit it hard while you're smoking. It isn't like a cigarette. A pipes better for mellow, contemplative sessions, when you can give it the time it requires.

+1 ive also found that some of the flavored (ie cherry blends) for me always have abit of a tongue bite

best pipe advice its like a fine whiskey . you want to sip on it .. not chug like a beer

ive heard alot of people say pack a nice 3/4th bowl and smoke it for a few mins .. let it go out and come back and finish it a few hrs/to a day later .. it somehow mellows abit

some of the best pipe tobacco ive had came out of the big glass jars in the cigar store .. good smokes and usualy a good deal cheaper too

[gax1985]

Thanks for the advice folks I was eager to solve this riddle , and I am getting there ! The session lasted longer this time , andt the bowl was less hotter now ! The tongue bite is still there , especially when you light the bowl , also possibly because the tobacco is moister . Has this happened to you guys ?

[LincolnSnuff]

Samuel Gawith tobaccos are notorious for being packaged very wet, which will contribute to relights and puffing like a freight train to keep it lit. This causes too much heat and will give you tongue bite. I usually lay Squadron Leader out for about an hour minimum to dry before lighting up, and that is a ribbon cut. Flakes tend to take longer to dry if you don't rub them out first. Oh, and don't over tamp. Your draw should have minimal resistance for best results.

There is a learning curve with each individual pipe as well as tobaccos. Just keep trying and it will come naturally in time. Lots of info over at http://www.smokersforums.co.uk

[Ansel]

hey Gax check out PipeFriend on Youtube - he will teach you everything you need to know and then some!

http://www.youtube.com/user/PipeFriendCHS

[TommyGunBC]

I have the same pipe so to speak I have both the MM hardwood pipes , the cherry and the maple , and have some chocolate flake haven't tried it in the hardwood though . I find that the bowls on those pipes are too small and the regular cobs are better suited for the moister tobaccos like aromatics , I have a Peterson st patricks day edition that I smoke my chocolate flake out of exclusively and it is wonderful and smokes great , but yes you should rub the flake out on a piece of paper and spread it evenly and let it dry for 15-30 min before packing your pipe , although some flake smokers fold the flake into the bowl and just have at it but I haven't tried this yet and probably won't .

[LincolnSnuff]

Folding and stuffing flakes provides a totally different experience than rubbing them out. Only do this if you have a lot of time on your hands to finish the bowl, as you will get a long, and IMO somewhat muted smoke with slower nic delivery. Tamping properly also becomes more difficult. I probably rub out 80% of the time with flakes.

Wow. After re-reading this, I am glad we don't have a "Out of Context Quotes" thread... lol

[gax1985]

Lol thanks for the help folks ! I frequently leave the can open now. To be honest , this tobacco has a decent taste, but you would have tomgo trough hoops to enjoy it just out of curiosity , has anyone bought estate pipes from ebay ? Also , any particular latakia blends you like the moat ? I was looking for a blend that is either Turkis or Latakian , or possibly both ! Thanks guys !

[dpete]

Can't help with the Latakia as I could never stand the stuff. I have purchased 30+ estate pipes on eBay so I can give you a few pointers.

1. Don't get carried away in the "fun" of bidding. It is real money after all but pay quickly, it will be appreciated (I've never sold anything there, just a buyer).
2. Don't bid more than you are willing to pay unless it is a pipe you are absolutely certain you really, really want. Then pay up.
3. Rare = hasn't been listed this week.
4. Be patient. If you lose an auction know that the same item or something similar (perhaps even better) will be just down the road.
5. There are more nice people than not on eBay. Treat sellers with polite kindness and chances are excellent you will receive the same.
6. Some pipes may be disappointing but if you haven't spent too much just chalk it up to experience. I've only had to return one pipe in over 10 years and that was because I was unfamiliar with the line and the pictures indicated the pipe was something different. Had I seen it in a shop I never would have purchased it for around $100. There are probably 6 other pipes that looked good online but not as satisfying as I thought they would be. They were much cheaper pipes and just added to the collection to be smoked rarely.

[Rattlesnake]

Can't help with the Latakia as I could never stand the stuff. I have purchased 30+ estate pipes on eBay so I can give you a few pointers.

1. Don't get carried away in the "fun" of bidding. It is real money after all but pay quickly, it will be appreciated (I've never sold anything there, just a buyer).
2. Don't bid more than you are willing to pay unless it is a pipe you are absolutely certain you really, really want. Then pay up.
3. Rare = hasn't been listed this week.
4. Be patient. If you lose an auction know that the same item or something similar (perhaps even better) will be just down the road.
5. There are more nice people than not on eBay. Treat sellers with polite kindness and chances are excellent you will receive the same.
6. Some pipes may be disappointing but if you haven't spent too much just chalk it up to experience. I've only had to return one pipe in over 10 years and that was because I was unfamiliar with the line and the pictures indicated the pipe was something different. Had I seen it in a shop I never would have purchased it for around $100. There are probably 6 other pipes that looked good online but not as satisfying as I thought they would be. They were much cheaper pipes and just added to the collection to be smoked rarely.

And that Ladies and Gentlemen is the truth.about Latikia, I too love Latakia,

[LincolnSnuff]

And that Ladies and Gentlemen is the truth.

Except that part about latakia. My favorite blends have latakia, and often a generous amount. You either love or hate latakia blends, but tastes can change over time.

For Gax1985, if you want to get into Latakia/Balkan blends I would suggest reading some reviews of the following over at http://www.tobaccoreviews.com

Samuel Gawith Squadron Leader
Dunhill My Mixture 965
Dunhill Nightcap
Balkan Sasieni
G.L. Pease Westminster
G.L. Pease Meridian
G.L. Pease Quiet Nights

This is just a list of some of my favorite blends, but I think a good starting point to see what you like. Balkan Sasieni is probably the most "Turkish" and the mildest of the bunch while Quiet Nights and Meridian are your classic "lat bombs."

[dpete]

Except that part about latakia.

When I was about 15 and not knowing any better I loaded up some cheap pipe with a whole bunch of the old Balkan Sobranie. Didn't throw up or anything but it unfortunately removed nearly all enjoyment I could ever get from any blend containing latakia and, believe me, I've tried through the years. Virginia/Perique ftw.