Changing Weather Changing Tastes

Now that summer is finally here, most of us have stored our winter clothes and have dug out our Bermuda shorts and flip flops. Similarly, some have put away their winter blends and are now enjoying their summer blends. Are you one of these folks? I am. Temperature tends to effect the flavor of certain blends.

The heat of summer will make hotter burning blends even hotter and "heavier" blends such as dense latakias and aromatics even heavier. Some might enjoy this while others might not. Lighter blends such as Virginias and lightly cased Virginias such as Stokebye Luxury Twist make for wonderful summer smoking. The gentle flavors that were barely detectable to the tastebuds and nose in the thin air of winter suddenly become quite pronounced in summer.

The summer heat, as with all things summer, will also cause a tendency to smoke a little slower. This also bring out flavors and scents that go unnoticed during the colder months. Pipe selection can also play a part in your summer pipe smoking enjoyment. While some might say that thinner walled pipes will smoke cooler due to great heat dispersion I disagree.

It's a pipe not a radiator on a '68 Chevy. I frequently smoke my pipes in the 110+ degree desert weather and can tell you will great confidence that a thicker walled pipe smokes just a bit cooler in heat. I don't know why but that has been my experience.

I've also found that tobacco that is slightly drier than that which you'd smoke in winter months will burn cooler, cleaner and more flavorfully in the summer months. So join me in kicking off the summer solstice with the fresh, cool smoke of one of your favorite summer time blends.

Pending Tobacco Bans

This issue will be a departure from our usual pipe related tips. We'd like to take a moment to discuss the effort in the US and worldwide to ban the sale and eventually the use of tobacco.

Tobacco sales have been plagued by potential legislative bans for years. The brief cigar craze slowed the effort but now the movement has unprecedented momentum. Every day we hear of cities, both large and small, that have passed smoking bans. This is a trend that will not stop nor will it be reversed. Of the most concern to us here at VegasSmokes and to our customers is the recent talk of banning online tobacco sales.

This has been attempted for the past few years on many levels without much success until recently. In the past few weeks several states began to enforce the ban of online cigarette sales. Also, after much pressure the credit card companies by way of various gateway processing companies began to enforce a ban on the use of their credit cards for the purchase of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco online.

While this had an instantaneous effect on cigarettes and smokeless tobacco we as pipe smokers will also be effected. The rules and laws are so loosely written that only minor revision, if at all, is required to ban online tobacco sales. In much the same way online gaming was and is effectively controlled by credit card company enforcement so will be the fate of online tobacco sales.

Most all credit card processing companies no longer accept accounts that deal in online tobacco sales. The ones that do get a premium. Existing accounts such as ours have been put on notice as to how fine a line we are on. We also now have to use expensive and time costly age verification services for every order we process. So what does this all mean? Well, a few years or even months ago I would have suggested writing to our elected officials but it is our belief that that time has passed.

We've always known that once the credit card angle was invoked there would not be much we as pipe smokers could do. At the risk of sounding self serving I must say the following. The time is nearer than you think to asses how much you smoke on a monthly or yearly basis and times that by how many months or years you plan to continue to enjoy your pipes.

There are plenty of articles and how tos in the newsletter archive on aging and long terms storage so you can get prepared. I've been diligently putting away tobacco for the past few years and I personally will not be effected if and when tobacco becomes contraband. We carry only a few of the many lines of great pipe tobacco available at low prices so you can stock up.

Being our selection is relatively small compared to what can be had we also suggest looking for other tobaccos at your local brick and mortar tobacco shops. While it might cost a buck or two more than an online purchase you'll be helping and supporting those who are truly on the front lines of the anti-tobacco trend.

What is a Balanced Pipe?

I'm sure most of you have heard the term balance used to describe various pipes. We've also used this term so I thought I'd take some time to further explain the meaning and it's usage in relation to pipes.

There are to distinct types of balance.

One is the physical balance of a pipe and the other is the aesthetic balance. Physical balance is important because it related directly to how the pipe feels in the mouth and hand. A well balanced pipe is comfortable and exerts little pressure on the teeth while an unbalanced pipe can be pure drudgery. This aspect of balance is designed into the pipe or not.

Often the shape, size and length of the stem plays the biggest role in proper balance. Once the shape and size of the bowl is determined a skilled pipe carver fits a stem to it that will properly counter balance the load and weight of the bowl and add to the enjoyment of smoking that pipe. Some carvers do this consciencely and some carvers do this without much thought relying on their many years of experience. I've found this to be the case with many "high grade" pipes over the years. It should also be mentioned that what one pipe smoker finds to be of proper balance the next might not.

Just as several people who take a size 10 shoe might not all find the same shoe comfortable. Here is a quick and accurate test to determine a pipe's relative balance. Take the pipe stem between your first and middle fingers approximating the same distance where your teeth would be. Let the pipe hang naturally between your fingers. Before trying this with new pipes first do this with pipes you already have and you find to be the most comfortable.

This will set a base for you to judge other pipes. You'll soon discover your personal balance point.

The most obvious kind of aesthetic balance is the grain of the pipe. As a general rule of thumb grain should flow with or accentuate the shape of the bowl. Straight grain should be just that straight around the circumference of the entire bowl.

The straight grain should end in bird'seye or rough burl on the bowl rim and bird'seye that is well centered on the bowl heel. Flame grain flows across a pipe bowl at +/- 45 degrees and should end in centered bird'seye or rough burl on the front and back of the bowl. Cross grain should be more or less horizontal on opposing sides of the bowl. It should be even and equally proportioned in relation to the opposing side. Between the cross grain should be equally well centered bird'seye grain.

The bowl rim, if trimmed flat, should exhibit straight grain running in the same direction as the cross grain. The same basic generalities also apply to a bowl that has been sand blasted.

There are also many intangible qualities that can be defined as balance. It a long established fact that there exists a Golden Rule of proportion. Builders, architects, painters, sculpters and other artisans have used this rule for centuries. Pipe carvers do as well. In it's highest level the application of the rule is done without conscience thought. It is felt in the hands and seen in the eyes. This aspect of pipe balance can also be very subjective. The way a pipe flows, ubruptly ends, tapers and turns call out to our subconscieous creative minds. Sometimes a pipe can appear to one person as art in it's highest form and to another a hunk of wood.

Seasonal Pipe Tobacco

Do certain pipe tobaccos lend themselves to different seasons or times of the year? I think so. Now that the cooler weather has finally arrived I find myself smoking more blends with latakia such as English or Balkan style blends. For me, these blends seem some what richer and more complex especially when smoked outside in the cool air of autumn.

I can taste flavors that are almost undetectable while smoking during the warmer months. The smoke is heavier and less wispy in the thin air and lingers longer. That rich, thick smoke brings about a certain feeling of satisfaction and has a calming effect.

Perfect for watching the leaves change colors and seeing mother nature and father time work their collective wonders. The warm pipe bowl is a comfort in my hand and gives me a sense of well being knowing that all is right in the world in that small place and time.

During the Holidays I find myself guided towards tasty aromatic blends. They remind me of the past, my Grandfather, traditions and the sweet peacefulness that comes during these special times of the year.

They also help our friends and loved ones remember us just as we remember the enticing tobacco smells of those that came before us. There is simply nothing quite like the cozy feeling of a room filled with wonderful pipe smoke, a home cooked feast and those we care about.

How Many Pipes Should Be In Your Rotation

This is a question that is presented to us on a regular basis. The answer has to be based on several variables such as the following;

1. How often do you smoke?
2. What type of tobacco do you smoke?
3. Does your smoking style lend itself more towards ending up with a somewhat dry or wet pipe?
4. Do you smoke the same tobacco all day?

As a general rule you should allow at least 1 to 2 hours for your pipe to rest after you finish smoking. This allows enough time for your pipe to properly cool down and dry out, for the most part. The time of tobacco you smoke plays a role too.

Aromatic tobacco burns slightly wetter and tends to cause a pipe to retain moisture longer. Virginias tend to burn cleaner and drier and sometimes the pipe can be put back in action in as little as 30 - 45 minutes. If you are accustomed to smoking your pipe enough to conflict with these suggested times then you should be using 2 or more pipes in your daily rotation. If you are a "wet" smoker or have a few cherished pipes that matter to smoker a tad on the wet side than you should also be using 2 or more pipes in your daily rotation.

As discussed in a previous newsletter, it is best to dedicate a pipe for each type of tobacco that you smoke. So, if you smoke more than one type of tobacco during the coarse of the day than you'll need to add more pipes into your daily rotation. Each pipe in your rotation should have the minimum of two days off after being used for the day and cleaned every five to ten bowls depending on the tobacco smoked and your smoking habits.

Well let's not and say we did and sum up with the following general rules of thumb; If you smoke on a daily basis and have a good pipe cleaning and care schedule established the bare minimum amount of pipes in your rotation should be no less than three.

Seven would be the ideal minimum and would ensure well rested, fresh pipes and spread out your time spent cleaning. What's right for you? Simply take these suggested minimum rotations and factor in the four questions above. Me? I'm a minimum 21 kinda guy.

I smoke 3 types of tobacco each day and keep my pipes dedicated within reason. Aromatic in the morn, VA mid day and a smooth English blend in the evenings. I also like to let my pipes rest for a week and set aside one night a week for cleaning. Yup, 21 for me but I always find an excuse for more.

How To Re-hydrate Pipe Tobacco

We've all had it happen, reach for that tobacco you've been craving and it's dry as a bone. Who came up with that expression anyway? First we'll cover what Not to do.

DON'T

• Do not use apple slices or other fruit. You'll run the risk of mold and gumming up your bowl.
• Do not leave it in the bath while you shower. Although this does work your tobacco will pick up the perfumes of bath soaps and shampoo.
• Do not use tap water.

DO

• Be gentle with the dry tobacco or you'll end up with a pile of dust even if you rehydrate correctly.
• Mix 1 teaspoon of white vinegar in 1 quart of water. Distilled water is best.
• Spread out the dry tobacco in a flat glass or stainless steel bowl or tray.
• Lightly spray the tobacco with the prepared water. Start with very little.
• Cover the tobacco with a lid or plastic wrap so the water adsorbs rather than evaporates. Repeat if necessary
• Once back to the correct moisture level allow the tobacco to sit for a day before smoking.

If done correctly and patiently your tobacco with be almost as good as new.

Which is Cooler, Sandblasted or Smooth?

I've heard many times in the past that sandblasted pipes smoke cooler than smooth pipes due to the greater surface area. After many years of taking this to be a somewhat statement I decided to put it to the test. Here's how I set up the test.

• Two identical, new Savinelli Model 316 pipes (one rustic/sandblast and one smooth matte) were used.
• Each was smoked ten times over a ten day period for the purpose of breaking them in.
• Gawith & Hoggarth Balkan Blend was used exclusively for break in and testing.
• Each was filled and packed to the top with an equal portion of tobacco for the test.
• Each was placed in a plastic folding pipe stand.
• Each was not moved from the pipe stand or touched during the test.
• Each was lit with 3 matches.
• Each received 1 full draw on the pipe every 30 seconds.
• Each was tamped every 10 draws.
• Test was conducted 10 minutes into the bowl.
• Bowl temperature was taken using a fine point metal probes attached to digital thermometers (identical models) that were placed on the right side of the bowl at the midway point and held tight to the bowl with the help of the plastic pipe stand.
• At 30 minutes both pipes were allowed to go out.

Here are my observations during the test.

• The rustic pipe was actually hotter during the first 10 minutes prior to "official testing".
• At the 10 minute point the rustic was 6 degrees hotter the the smooth.
• At 15 minutes the rustic was 4 degrees cooler.
• At 20 minutes the rustic was 2.5 degrees cooler.
• At 25 minutes the rustic was 3.5 degrees cooler.
• At 30 minutes the rustic was 4 degrees cooler.
• At 35 minutes (after the pipes went out) the rustic was 18 degrees cooler.

So there you have it. The rustic pipe did indeed smoke cooler but I'd have to say that the few degrees during the first 30 minutes hardly constitutes a "cooler smoking pipe". I could not tell the difference. What I did notice was how fast the rustic pipe cooled down after the tobacco went out as compared to the smooth.

Short Term Pipe Tobacco Storage

There has been much written on the subject of long term pipe tobacco storage but not much on short term so I though I'd take the time to address the subject.

For the purposes of this discussion I'll be considering the storage of 4 ounces or less. In the past it was vogue to place apple slices, orange peels and other similar items in a pouch for the purposes of keep tobacco fresh ... this is not a good idea.

The fruits will start to break down with heat and light and spoil your tobacco. You'll be smoking and handling all forms of bacteria and fungus, some visible and some not. An unpleasant thought at the least. Pouch humidifiers work so much better if kept clean. Distilled water works best and will lengthen the disk's life.

How about the ziploc lock bags that we sometimes receive our pipe tobacco in? They are fine for a few days if kept sealed and out of direct light. If you live in a dry climate a pouch humidifier with be just what the doctor ordered ... so to speak.

Leather and vinyl pipe tobacco pouches work much better as well as being more dignified. Make sure the one you select has a supple rubber or latex liner. The cheapy kind usually has a plastic liner that will eventually crack and split.

In general roll up or snap type pouches work better than the zipper variety. The zippers on those let air pass and get just plain foul after a while. Keeping your tobacco in your pocket is OK for the very short term. Remember this .... when the temperature of tobacco rises so done the humidity.

When the temperature falls so does the humidity. Yes, I can give you the scientific explaination but I'll save you the boredom for the sake of brevity. That being said, assuming your tobacco was at perfect humidity when you set out in the morning, it will become to too damp when left in your pocket or anywhere else above "room temp" for any length of time and will lead to a hot, wet smoke.

All is not lost ... either lay out a bowl's worth of tobacco prior to smoking if convenient or simply pack the bowl about 10 - 15 minutes before your smoke break. Now what if your tobacco got cold and is now a bit on the dry side (again a hot smoke)? Almost a no brainer ... warm it up in your hand or pocket.

8 Tips for Your Croncob Pipes

We offer the following tips to lengthen the life of your corn cob pipe and enrich your smoking enjoyment.

1. Fill the pipe bowl with layers of tobacco that are not too tightly packed. This will keep your pipe more evenly lit.

2. Tamp your tobacco down gently and frequently to prevent your pipe from smoking hot.

3. Use pipe cleaners to keep the stem clear and avoid a wet smoke.

4. Never knock your pipe against a hard surface as this may cause breakage. Knock the pipe against the palm of your hand while holding the stem firmly in the middle.

5. Drawing gently in short puffs will help to prevent tongue bite. Settle the pipe in the corner of your mouth with your tongue against the mouthpiece and hands off the pipe.

6. Switching your pipes frequently helps to prevent bitterness while allowing your corn cob pipe to dry out for longer life. Having seven pipes in a one-per-day rotation is the best.

7. Smoke your first bowl of tobacco in a new pipe all the way through and do not allow it to go out. Long-time smokers tell us that if the first bowl goes out, the pipe will tend to go out at that same place each time you smoke.

8. If you enjoy an especially sweet smoke, try coating the inside of the new pipe bowl with honey before the first smoke.

The Right Pipe Cleaner For The Job

There are many things in life that are "one size fits all". Unfortunately pipe cleaners are not one of those things. Pipe cleaners come in many sizes and styles.

There are "regular", extra fluffy or absorbent, tapered, bristle and so called "churchwarden" pipe cleaners named for the extra long length. Regular pipe cleaners have been the bread and butter cleaner for a very long time. They are easy to find, fit just about any size pipe and do a very good job.

Some pipe smokers use them exclusively. While they work well in most cases I wanted to take the time to expand your pipe cleaner horizons. Each of the other styles serve a more specific purpose which I'll cover briefly for your reading pleasure.

Fluffy pipe cleaners are great for pipes with larger airways and passages. You should use them when you notice that a regular size pipe cleaner just isn't snug enough to do a thorough cleaning job. Don't force them down a stem if it feels too tight ... we've recovered many a broken off fluffy cleaner in folks prized pipes.

Fluffy cleaners also work great in the airway of the briar bowl itself which tends to be drilled larger than the stem. Tapered pipe cleaners work well on pipe that have a lot of bend to them. They will normally glide down the stems of even the most sharply bent pipes.

I know each of us has a pipe or two that might not take a regular pipe cleaner all the way from the button on the stem to the bottom of the bowl without separating the pipe ... perfect time to use the tapered cleaner. The bristle pipe cleaner is essentially a regular size pipe cleaner that has nylon bristle embedded along it's length. These are my favorites. They do a superb job of cleaning even the cruddiest of pipes while still maintaining good absorbency.

Using bristle cleaners will allow you to go longer between through cleaning of your pipe and when you have to it'll be less of challenging job. Churchwarden or extra long pipe cleaners are the only way to go for your long stemmed pipes. They can also be economical for your regular length pipes because you can cut them in halve or even thirds.

What ever you do, you owe it to yourself and your pipe smoking enjoyment to not skimp on pipe cleaners, don't use the ones that you find in arts and craft store and experiment with different types.

Keeping Your Bowl Rim Clean

A charred, sticky and caked bowl rim is nothing but an eyesore. There are a few things you can do to keep it looking good. For this article lets assume that your bowl rim is already clean or new.

First, never pack your pipe all the way to the top. +/- 1/4" from the top is ideal depending on the overall depth of the tobacco chamber. This will allow room for the tobacco to expand when you light and still not touch the top and will keep you from putting the bowl rim in direct contact with flame.

Second, take a little saliva and rub it on the bowl rim before you light. This will keep the flame from charring the briar.

And last but not least, always clean your bowl rim when you are finished smoking your pipe. While the pipe is still warm apply saliva to the rim and wipe with a soft cloth or paper towel until clean. Saliva does an amazing job of breaking down and cleaning tobacco gum and tar.

For more stubborn tar or pipes with a rusticated or burl rim an old toothbrush and saliva work wonders. I realized some of you might be put off by the use of saliva but give it a try and you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Super Fast Tobacco Aging

Now that the warm weather has arrived (at least here in Vegas where it has been 105+) I'd like to share an aging trick that I discovered quite by accident.

Take a tin of tobacco and place it on your dashboard in full sunlight or on a window sill in full sunlight. Leave it there for about 30 minutes +/-. Now take the tin inside and allow it to cool to room temperature.

You'll find that your tobacco will now taste and smoke very similar to tobacco that has been aged about 6 - 12 months. Of course there's no substitute for properly aged tobacco but this is a great way to improve the smoking quality of just about any type of tobacco.

This technique works especially well with Virginia style tobacco. If you'd like to try this with your favorite bulk tobacco simply use an old tin or small coffee can. Only do 2 - 4 ounces at a time.

Pipe and Tobacco Combinations

Pipes can sometimes be very finicky when it comes to the kind and type of tobacco that it will burn well. It pays to try 2 or 3 bowls of a specific tobacco in a specific pipe and record how it smoked. Then try a different tobacco and take note of the results. Continue to experiment until you find a tobacco that burns cool, dry and clean. You'll find that a pipe will burn one specific tobacco better than anything else you might pack in it.

You might also encounter the rare pipe that will burn most tobaccos equally well. Sometimes it comes down to engineering but often times it's inexplicable. As a rule of thumb tall narrow bowls burn flakes well and wide shallow bowls burn mixtures well.

Wide bowls also tend to tame hot burning tobaccos due to the greater surface area. The shape of the bowl can make a difference to. Conical or V shaped bowls will do a better job of burning tobacco that is hard to keep lit or has a tendency to smoke wet and will intensify the flavors of the tobacco. Cylindrical bowls that have basically the same diameter from top to bottom will tend to burn a bit cooler and slower which will bring out the subtleties in the tobacco.

As much as finding the right tobacco is a journey so is finding the magical combination of pipe and tobacco. Enjoy the ride!