First Attempt - Dismal Failure!

[Scotchman]

Good evening gents,

Thought I'd share my first attempt.

I've been spending a few weeks reading up on this lovely hobby. Everything about it appeals to me - slowing down, enjoying a smoke, the ties to history and tradition, the learning curve, the many facets to explore.

However, all that research didn't prepare me for my first smoke.

Got all my paraphernalia and triple stuffed some Peterson's Sherlock Holmes into my cheap B&M briar. Charred it with a match. Let it go out. But the relight... I've never tasted such a nasty ashy mouthful.

I'm not sure what I did wrong. My best guess is the tobacco was too moist, I puffed too quickly, or I burnt the hell out of the pipe itself.

I had to dump the contents and run a pipe cleaner through it. Just checked it 20 minutes ago and the pipe still smells like an ashtray.

Does anyone have any pointers?

I'm going to have another go when I get a chance this weekend. I'm determined to persevere and learn!

 

[peteguy]

All of the things you mentioned are the cause. Try again, and don't fret. There is a learning curve but you are on the right path. Dry 3x longer than you think and sip 2x lighter.

Oh, and I am sure they pipe is fine.

 

[ashdigger]

RELAX. It’s a process. Don’t over think it.

Did I mention RELAX?

 

[Sigmund]

Pack the tobacco very lightly. If it feels wet and sticky dry it until it feels more or less dry. Start again.

 

[reloader]

Its hard to get everything right the first time around, especially if there isn't an experienced pipe smoker around to show you how its done. You'll get the hang of it in no time. Drier tobacco is better, a lighter pack is better to start and you don't need to get the tobacco lit the first time. You can always take a few puffs and then put another match or soft flame to it and gently puff to get it going again. Happy puffing.

 

[RustiePyles CPG]

RELAX. It’s a process. Don’t over think it.

Did I mention RELAX?

You might also try relaxing...

 

[Sigmund]

Yes to everything reloader said. Do not push the tobacco hard. The first light is the charing light. Tobacco will rise up and expand. It will go out. Then lightly tamp it...just super light. Then relight. It may take a few times. Dont torch it or your mouth. Take your time and get it lit.

Let me add. The word tamp isnt quite right. The word tends to imply force. You are really just lightly compressing the tobacco. Airflow is your friend. So take it easy.

 

[PipeIT]

RELAX. It’s a process. Don’t over think it.

Did I mention RELAX?

Ooooh I love your new Avatar!

 

[Green Hill piper]

Nobody gets it right the first time. Been smoking for 15 years and the occasional bullshit bowl WILL come up. Keep trying, when you get it you'll get it and you'll never forget. Muscle memory is a amazing thing.

 

[anotherbob]

one of the things that keeps the non crazies away from pipe smoking is the steep learning curve.

 

[kcghost]

Just relax and try it again. The learning curve we keep talking about is a real thing. Remember to dry your tobacco, don't fill your bowl so tightly, and most importantly slow the cadence of smoking. For some of us it took years to learn this.

 

[hall222]

Same thing happened to me. Took awhile (4 or 5 months) to get dialed in. Once you do it's all good from there.

 

[VDL_Piper]

Remember "there is no pipe", just take your time. Your puffs should be like a frightened teenager hiding in a wardrobe from a serial killer, lest he might hear you breathing.

 

[MattRVA]

It’s a process and welcome to the club, we’ve all been there. Just take it easy and persevere. Your taste will develop over time as your technique improves, then you will know what blends you like and which ones you don’t, which blends work for you and the ones that don’t. Pack light, tamp infrequently, slow down.

 

[bullet08]

Have you smoked any tobacco before? If not, your palate isn't ready for it. It's very possible from a beginner who hasn't had tobacco before to think everything about pipe tastes like an ashtray. How to help with that? Smoke cheaper stuff until you get your bearing. Try English blend. Latakia is uniquely not tobacco like.

 

[ThermionicScott]

one of the things that keeps the non crazies away from pipe smoking…

 

[lupy1234]

I have had a few pipes that produced that flavor/taste. Take your time and try again a few more times. If still same taste, go to your B&M and find a used pipe if they have a selection. You won't need that break in period. I went on a road trip forgot my pipe and went to Boswell's and got a used one. Works great and no need to break it in.

 

[Scotchman]

Have you smoked any tobacco before? If not, your palate isn't ready for it. It's very possible from a beginner who hasn't had tobacco before to think everything about pipe tastes like an ashtray. How to help with that? Smoke cheaper stuff until you get your bearing. Try English blend. Latakia is uniquely not tobacco like.

It's my first experience with tobacco. I suppose my greenness has shone right through. Thank you for the advice. I've got two English samples coming in the mail

 

[El Capitán]

Most of us started with codger blends like half and half. Try that to build your palate.

 

[LeafErikson]

I would start with a codger blend like sir Walter Raleigh, half and half, or sir Walter Raleigh. Lightly FILL the pipe. Don’t necessarily PACK the pipe. Light once and smoke until it goes out. Gently tamp down, light again and enjoy. The slower the better and don’t worry about relights. You want to make sure you give it a really good light when you light it up the second time so that you have a good ember going.