Humm...

I haven't smoked a pipe for 45 years, but I do have a firm grasp of physics.

I not convinced of your claims, but do feel the need for an experiment.

I will set up an experiment when I get home if not too tired tonight, if not tonight I will do it tomorrow morning.

Something along the lines of two samples cut from the same St. James Flake weighed on a triple beam scale, then one rubbed out, and the other run through a herb grinder. I will smoke both (small) samples back to back (in the same small pipe)while using a stop watch to time each. I will take notes on burn rate, how hot it burns, tongue burn, flavor, etc.

Stand back! I'm gonna try Science!