So, I got 2 new pipes since I last wrote. I bought two Molina Barasso filtered pipes. I am finding that these are my favorite pipes lately. I find that when it’s time to let them rest and switch to a different pipe, I actually get a little sad. That’s how fond of them I have grown.

They are both Billiards, one blue with a saddle bit, the other unfinished sandblast. Olove the way both of them are weathering or wearing in very well. The Blue is starting to come off a little, so you can see the briar starting to show through a bit. The unfinished one is is starting to develop a nice patina to it from the oils from my hands and those from the tobacco. I think they look good.

My next pipes will likely be Molina pipes as they are affordable but are filtered as well. They are not “cheap” as one might think due to the price point. I have seen Molina pipes at around $1000 USD, so they are not wanting for quality. I just don’t have that kind of money lying around so I’ll stick with the more inexpensive ones.

I have also started custom blending tobaccos for that “just right” flavor and aroma. It’s been an interesting trip so far. I have some tobacco from a local tobacconist that is a black Cavendish. I have added a little cherry tobacco to it for a nice taste and aroma that is full-bodied smoke that is easy on the palette and doesn’t have a lot of tongue bite. I will never mix anything with my Captain Black Royal though. That is one of my favorite smokes.

I will have pictures of my new pipes in my next post. 73’s for now, NR326 out…

Pipe smoking isn’t something you see around everyday. It’s something that was very common just two generations ago. My grandad smoked a pipe for a long time. Of course he smoked cigarettes as well. I guess I’m kind of like him in the sense that I love all things tobacco. Except for cigars, you can keep them.

I remember the first few times I tried to smoke a pipe. It was a compete disaster. I didn’t know what kind of tobacco to use so I picked up some Half&Half Pipe tobacco. It was horrible. Even used filters in the pipe. But I got “tongue bite” so bad that I was miserable. Of course the way I was packing the bowl and smoking it wasn’t the proper way.

Turns out, I was all wrong. So this time when I started smoking a pipe, I read a few tutorials, watched a few videos and I’m on my way. I followed the instructions that I was given, and now I know how this process works. No longer do I suffer from “tongue bite”. I “learned” how to smoke the pipe.

At first I was smoking the pipe like I was smoking a cigarette. It was like I tried to smoke a bowl of tobacco in the same amount of time it took me to smoke a cigarette. I got bit so bad it wasn’t funny. It caused me to quit. Cut to 20 years later and I’m trying it again.

I have tried many different tobaccos and my favorite is from a local Tobacconist and is a black Cavendish aromatic called “Midnight”. I now know that pipe smoking is a ritual that I have taken on fully. I puff on my pipe most days. I find it helps me to relax and write. I’ve learned to take my time, not only in preparing the pipe, but the smoking of it as well. You have to go slow. It’s okay if it goes out You can re-light the bowl.

So the lesson in the end is to take your time, be thoughtful, contemplative and puff slowly. Take the time. In the end, it’s worth it.