Very pleased with first smoke out of decent pipe

[Ropey]

I tried piping many years ago and never became that interested in it. I was using a small Grabow pipe -- which I found in a box the other day -- and never really saw the allure.

Today a decent, though by no means expensive, Italian "Molina" pipe arrived and I smoked some inexpensive, though decently-rated, John Bull English blend out of it. What a difference! It's really a uniquely sensual experience. Moreso than cigars, IMHO.

Whereas the best I could muster out of the (admittedly small) Grabow was about ~20 minutes with a large amount of dottle at the bottom, this one burned all the way down with only a small number of relights. There was literally only ash when I was done after ~45 minutes.

You can see the size differential in the pic below. I'm not entirely sure why the experience is so much better with this one. The only difference I see (other than the size), is that the Grabow's draft hole is about 0.75mm above the bottom of the bowl, whereas the Molina's sits at the very bottom.

Other than that, it would appear that a larger pipe gives a much more pleasant smoke. The Molina bowl is about 20mm dia. by 40mm deep whereas the Grabow is 17mm dia. by 32mm deep. Almost 75% larger volume.

I also like the bent stem in that I can do stuff without the bowl being up in my line of sight as much.

Anyway, I'm quite pleased and surprised.

[B daddy]

Cool, brother. Glad you enjoyed it. I'm pretty hooked. Been choosing the pipe about 2:1 over the cigars lately.

[Pugsley]

Another one hooked. Now set that hook and reel him in.

[Nature]

Thanks for sharing. Welcome back to pipes! I've only been piping a relatively short time, but I think you're correct, piping is a unique experience compared to cigars. More refined, with more nuances I believe. Don't get me wrong, I still like my cigars too. Waiting for you to inaugurate that meer.

[Ropey]

Waiting for you to inaugurate that meer.

Thanks, I'm a little nervous about that one, don't want to mess it up or drop it. Fortunately it's not a high-end one. Still waiting on shipping from Turkey, will post pics when it arrives

The thing that struck me was that the experience is so sensual. Almost a feminine experience. I don't mean that pipe smoking is a feminine thing to do -- I think there are even fewer female pipe smokers than cigar smokers. I mean that the experience is kind of more.. "curvy".. than cigars, if that makes any sense. It's softer and "rounder."

I think cigarettes are the most "masculine" smoking experience. Quick, linear, matter-of-fact. Cigars are slower and more swirly. And pipes seem to be very slow, very tactile and sensual.

[NeverBend]

Thanks, I'm a little nervous about that one, don't want to mess it up or drop it. Fortunately it's not a high-end one. Still waiting on shipping from Turkey, will post pics when it arrives

The thing that struck me was that the experience is so sensual. Almost a feminine experience. I don't mean that pipe smoking is a feminine thing to do -- I think there are even fewer female pipe smokers than cigar smokers. I mean that the experience is kind of more.. "curvy".. than cigars, if that makes any sense. It's softer and "rounder."

I think cigarettes are the most "masculine" smoking experience. Quick, linear, matter-of-fact. Cigars are slower and more swirly. And pipes seem to be very slow, very tactile and sensual.

Hi Ropey,

Glad that you had a great smoke. Yes, we pipers are sensual guys (anyone know what sensual means?).

I don't know that the size of the pipe mattered. I suspect that you packed it better and that the tobacco may have been more to your liking. As far as the quality of the pipe's smoke, there certainly are better smoking pipes and price isn't always the determining factor. You mentioned a key reason with your excellent observation about the placement of the draught hole being above the bottom of the bowl on the Grabow and the preferred placement on the Molina.

You'll do fine with the Meer and you won't drop it but there is a difference in the smoke, compared to briar, that you may like more or less.

Congrats!

Pete

[Nature]

Thanks, I'm a little nervous about that one, don't want to mess it up or drop it. Fortunately it's not a high-end one. Still waiting on shipping from Turkey, will post pics when it arrives

The thing that struck me was that the experience is so sensual. Almost a feminine experience. I don't mean that pipe smoking is a feminine thing to do -- I think there are even fewer female pipe smokers than cigar smokers. I mean that the experience is kind of more.. "curvy".. than cigars, if that makes any sense. It's softer and "rounder."

I think cigarettes are the most "masculine" smoking experience. Quick, linear, matter-of-fact. Cigars are slower and more swirly. And pipes seem to be very slow, very tactile and sensual.

I get what you're saying.
Maybe another comparison for me is like a Rock Band compared to a symphony?

[Ropey]

Maybe another comparison for me is like a Rock Band compared to a symphony?

Yes, that's a good one too.

[Branzig]

Many may think it is a bunch of mumbo jumbo, but a well constructed pipe can take a so-so smoking experience and elevate it to an excellent one

Glad you're getting hooked.