Smokers Forums

Today I would like to write a little about amazing Forums that I am member of.

I have placed on my blog few links to that place I’m talking about a long time before, and now it’s the right time to write a bit more about that place.

Well, this place is one of the kind. I’m thinking and talking here about place called Smokers Forums – in my opinion a wonderful online community.

Smokers Forums

I have picked up smoking pipe in about October 2004. Just after that I have been looking for any informations about pipes, tobaccos which I love, and pipe smoking in general in many online places.

Well, I have found Smokers Forums and joined them in April 2005 for the first time. And since I have joined I was impressed with friendliness and great atmosphere of that place.

Then I have finished my studying and moved myself to London, thinking to start there something new there. I have been visiting Smokers Forums for quite a long time, but because of work and hard internet access, I’ve been quite rare visitor. That was a reason that my first account was deleted one day, but that’s not the point.  When I left my work, and was back home because of some personal issues I have joined  Smokers Forums again in March 2007.

Well, after all those years I’ve been there I must say this is very unusual place! one of the best places I ever been.  Pipesters here are so friendly, generous and helpful. I made some wonderful friendships there with people all over the world. Some great friendships! Thank you for that.

Smokers Forums is one of those places where you can ask and get an answer! So you don’t need to be afraid asking. Members are so friendly as I said before.  This is a place where you can learn so many things about pipe smoking, ie.  slow puffing, packing a pipe,  how to refurbish  an estate pipe, and many, many more!

Well, as always thank you for stopping by. I hope this little praise might encourage you to visit us at http://www.smokersforums.co.uk/ and maybe you might decide to become a member?

Best!

Marcels Duchamp pipe for Enrico Donati

Marcel Duchamp carved a wooden pipe for Donati

Enrico Donati was a close friend of Marcel Duchamp, as well as a fellow surrealist painter.

Donati says that there is no story behind this pipe and that it was given to him by Duchamp as a token of their friendship.

Carved on the front of the bowl is “Marcel à Enrico.” The inscription of these few simple words is what really exposes the intimate side of Marcel Duchamp.

So here it is

Tyler Lane Pipes

Here is a friend, very talented pipe maker I would like to introduce you to his great website:

http://www.tylerlanepipes.com/index.php

Trever and Emily Talbert

In this post I would to introduce you to wonderful blog by Trever Talbert, where you can find priceless information about pipe making, pipe shapes, tobaccos.

Highly recommended!

http://talbertpipes.blogspot.com/

And website with his pipes http://talbertpipes.com/

Norman Rockwell and pipe

Norman Rockwell, 20th century American painter and illustrator.

Here are some of his great works – of course with our favorite theme 🙂

Barcelona Pipe Club and Contest on photography

Here are few pictures that were send to Barcelona Pipe Club for photography competition.

by Santiago González Barros

by Inmaculada Reina Segovia

by Copérnico García

For more pictures please visit Barcelona Pipe Club website

How to Smoke a Tobacco Pipe

On WikiHow I have found a chapter called: How to Smoke a Tobacco Pipe

from wikiHow – The How to Manual That You Can Edit
The art of pipe smoking is a fully underestimated task of complete enjoyment for all! Here is how to smoke your pipe to enjoy it the most!

Steps

1. Find a pipe that fits you. There are many tobacconists around the world who would be more than happy to help you find the perfect pipe. Prices range from six dollars to several thousand.
2. Find the right tobacco for you. There are many varieties: aromatics, American blends, English blends, Virginias, Burleys, and many more. A tobacconist will be able to help there, as well. People completely new to smoking may enjoy an aromatic or lighter strength tobacco, while someone coming from cigarettes or cigars might prefer a heavier type of blend. Buy small amounts representing several different genres.
3. Fill your bowl. Fill loosely with tobacco and compress it lightly (using a “child’s touch”). Compressed halfway from the bottom of the bowl to the top. Fill again to the top and compress with a little more force (a “woman’s touch”). This time halfway from the top of the previous packing to the top. Now top it off and compress a bit harder (a “man’s touch”). Again half way from the last point to the top. Should leave roughly a 1/8th of an inch gap from the tobacco to the top of the bowl. You need to make sure it is not so tight that you cannot draw through it; you should be able to draw air though with little or no resistance. The tobacco should be springy to the touch. It’s best to have your tobacconist or an experienced pipe smoker show you. Correct packing takes a little practice, and has a lot of impact on how enjoyable your experience will be.
4. Light the pipe with a wooden match or a pipe lighter. Let the match burn off the sulfur a few seconds. Move the flame around the surface of the tobacco while drawing gently until evenly lit, then tamp gently with a tamper. Let it go out, then relight the same way.
5. Puff slowly and rhythmically. Patience is rewarded. Puffing too fast will result in tongue bite – a burning sensation on the tongue.
6. Tamp the tobacco gently periodically throughout the smoke to ensure the bowl remains correctly packed while smoking. Don’t worry if the pipe goes out from time to time – it will. Simply relight.
7. Make sure you smoke your pipe to the end to create a nice “cake” at the bottom and side of your pipe bowl.
8. Relax and enjoy. Pipe smoking is the quintessential art of smoking.

Tips

• Above all, be patient, and take things slow. For most, the pipe smoking experience isn’t pleasant until skills in packing, lighting, tamping, and smoking cadence are mastered, and you’ve found some tobacco blends and a pipe that suit you. Tongue bite means you’re doing something wrong. If you don’t like it at first, keep experimenting, and discuss your new hobby with experienced smokers.
• Keep a pipe cleaner handy. At the first sign of moisture coming through the stem of the pipe, stick the pipe cleaner into the stem and let it absorb any condensation.
• If the pipe gets hot, let it go out and cool down. Smoking a pipe too hot won’t taste good, and it may damage your pipe and/or your tongue. A good guide as to whether your pipe is too hot is if you can’t hold the bowl against your cheek comfortably then let it cool down.
• Allow briar pipes time to rest between smokes – the consensus is at least a day. Consider adding some corn cob pipes to your rotation while you build your collection of briar pipes. A meerschaum pipe is a great investment due to their smoking quality and the fact that they don’t need to rest between smokes.
• Avoid buying the cheap “basket” or department store briar pipes. A corn cob pipe will smoke much better than a cheap briar, and cost much less if finances are a problem.
• Never buy a metal (brass or silver) pipe. They look very unusual and striking but remember – metal conducts heat. These are for show. You will seriously burn yourself with these.
• Allow a nice cake to grow in the bowl of the pipe. This protects the bowl from cracking. After a while, it will become necessary to scrape some of the cake off, but you may want to consult your tobacconist about that.
• Whenever you are finished with a pipe, allow it to cool and then polish it using pipe polish and a clean, lint free cloth. This helps to preserve the shine and appearance, as well as protecting the bowl from heat, dirt, and corrosion.

Warnings

• Smoking can cause cancer and has been linked to heart disease.
• Don’t smoke if it is illegal to do so in your area.
• Pipe smoking is only marginally safer than cigarette smoking.

Things You’ll Need

• A good pipe
• Pipe tamper/tool
• Reamer (you won’t need this right away for cleaning)
• Pipe cleaners
• Tobacco
• A knowledgeable tobacconist!
• Pipe polish
• Clean, lint free cloth

Related wikiHows

• How to Smoke a Cigarette
• How to Meditate
• How to Do Nothing
• How to Clean a Pipe Screen

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world’s largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Smoke a Tobacco Pipe. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to handle Plug & Twist – Great Guide

How to handle Plug & Twist tobaccos – another great video how to prepare and pack your pipe with Plugs and Twists Tobaccos