What is it that drives most people up a wall when they come across people smoking pipes? Is it the odor, the novelty or the eccentricity? No one knows but one thing for sure, the greater the ire these people arouse the more they seem to enjoy their habit and dig their heels in. Some even consider it a cool art form and spend hours researching, reading and writing about the many different types of pipes through history.
If you cannot beat them, join them. The complete ensemble consists of a small bowl into which the tobacco (or sometimes even other stronger substances) are placed and lit. This connects with a shaft or shank which reaches to the mouth and through which the smoke is inhaled. This edge is commonly referred to as the bit.
These pipes are as varied in style as the material from which they are made from. The most popular is the briar bowl followed by bowls made from clay, corn cobs, and, a hydrated magnesium silicate called meerschaum. The latter comes from Turkey where it is obtained from natural shallow deposits.
Those who are experienced in pipe smoking would advise beginners to opt for the corn cob bowl. Not just because they are cheap but because they are simple to operate and straight forward in design. The main problem with these is the inferior supply of nicotine. However, with some practice on this, the smoker can upgrade to a style that delivers the nicotine more effectively.
A pipe is a visual statement about your self so it has to be selected with some thought. It should say something about you. The choice extends from the basic corn cob to rare designs made by world known brands. It is also possible to buy a used one which could have been spruced up and put on sale later. These are known as estate pipes.
If you are a novice and buying one for the first time you should look out for some things. Ensure there are no mechanical flaws particularly if the piece is second hand. For example there may be some fault that prevents the smoke from rising up the stem effectively. This would produce a damp and noisy smoke. Or there could be a defect with the filter. Check out the fills and the finish as these would affect its looks over time.
This brings us to how to smoke pipes. Choice of tobacco and the source from which it is obtained is very important to the pleasure derived from smoking in this fashion. Equally important is how to pack it and get the best experience out of it.
It is not like a cigarette that you smoke and put out the butt in an ash tray. Pipes have all kinds of accessories and materials which need to be taken care of and kept clean for the next use. Next is how you put the package together will decide whether smoking pipes is a good or bad experience for you. Practice will make perfect.
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