Having my first bowl

[bluenoser]

Well I think this sinus cold has finally let up enough that I'm thinking tomorrow I'm going to give my pipe a go for the first time (weather and sinuses dependant). I'll be filling it with carter hall, tamp with a golf tee. If I understand it right, lightly fill with baccy, tamp lightly, repeat until it's full and able to get decent draw through it? It's a hardwood pipe so I know to smoke slow to avoid ruining it, lighting with wooden matches. Any tips you can throw at me to help make my first bowl a good one?

[tmoran]

Sounds like you are all set. Bring an extra pipe cleaner or two in case you get some gurgle and so you don't get gross tobacco juice in your mouth. If you start to get a gurgle, run a pipe cleaner down the stem and shank to soak up the moisture. If you don't currently retrohale, or snork, give it a try. To me, this is even more important with pipes than cigars. Oh, and coffee. Burley and coffee are great together!

[AlanS]

Nice to see you come out of hibernation! Hope You enjoy your smoke.

[Pugsley]

Carter Hall is a great one to start with. After all these years it's still one of my go to tobaccos, and as Tim said, it's great with a cup of coffee.

[MrMotoyoshi]

I have a bit of a sore throat/cold now so I know your pain. A piece of advice I can give is something you already mentioned; pack lightly. I prefer the term fill your pipe than pack your pipe, it gives a softer image. You can always tamp down a loosely filled pipe, but can't untamp a bowl that was packed too tight.

[Bruck]

My only advice would be smoke slowly and steadily. Unlike smoking a cigar where you "pull" a mouthful of smoke, try to "sip" the pipe. Be patient, it takes practice, but it's worth it!

Also - be sure it's a _wooden_ golf tee

[Branzig]

Smoke slower than you think you need too.
Tamp tess than you think you need too.
Pack lighter than you think you need too.

And most importantly, enjoy that pipe sir!

[JollyRogers]

I'm going to be in that same boat, hopefully next weekend!

[Horseshoe]

The sipping is tough to do starting out. Have fun with it, and don't get frustrated! Just be prepared to re-light.

[Cool Breeze]

As stated above, don't get worked up if you have to relight a time or two. It's not a big deal with a pipe, as the flavors will be just as good after the relight. Pipes aren't like cigars in that respect.

Also, be patient. Many people don't get it just right their first few times. Pipes take some practice.

I'm a newb too and still learning a lot. The best thing I ever did was learn this method of pipe packing. It is brilliantly simple and works fantastic.
Plus I like hearing this guy talk.