This is more of a promise to myself than anything else. I have 3 pipes, a corncob, and Dr. Grabow, and what I think is a Parker, It's been a long time since I've smoked a pipe, so long in fact that I forget that I have them. Cigars are easy, clip it, light it, and it's good to go.
Pipes on the other hand are a little more work, I think I worked out how tight to pack it, like drawing through a straw right? 3 layers each one tamped down a little less than the previous. The lighting thing is where I have the trouble, first I char the top then tamp it lightly and then relight. It seams it's good for between 5-10 minutes before needing to relight. In my attempt to keep it lit, it often gets too hot and then I get the tongue bite. Any suggestions?

This turned into more of a ramble that I had anticipated I get off work in and hour and a half, I'll get something to eat, and then I am smoking!
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smoke that pipe mate there is a almost calm satisfaction in geting a pipe sorted to smoke i would say to stop the tonge bite problem dont draw on it as hard as u would a cigar just light slow draw
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Actually, filling the pipe with the 3 layers method, the last layer is the one you press down the most, while the first one you should just drop it in.
Remember:
1st- baby (bottom layer)
2nd- mother
3rd - father (top layer)
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Thanks, Like I said it's been a while...
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Ok so I smoked last night, it was for the most part ok. I guess my biggest issue the small volume of smoke produced at the fact that the first two times I light it, it lasts about 10 minutes, and then every time after that it's out in 5 minutes or less. When it starts going out more often I tamp the ash down without pushing it, just using the weight of the tamp.

Also is the volume of smoke supposed to be so little? Way less than a cigar

If anyone has some tips let me know I feel like all I do is babysit this thing while I smoke it, and it's a lot of work for little reward.
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I find that I draw more on my pipe than I do on a cigar. I want to keep a cigar nice and cool to sip from tip to nub, but a pipe I want to keep hotter and "cherried" so that I can get a consistent smoke without much need for relight. I've worked this method of smoking to where I don't have the problem of tongue bite anymore.

It's been suggested before that I exhale gently through the pipe for a few breaths between draws to keep the pipe nice and lit. My biggest problem with this method is that I produce a lot of saliva, so pipe gargle starts up quickly when I try this. I've settled into a pattern of taking a few (2-4) quick puffs and examining the smoke before I draw. Still no tongue bite.

YMMV. Practice. I've found that you need to learn the quirks and foibles of each individual pipe to get your most enjoyable smoke out of it.
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:-) I agree 100%. Rules of thumb will get you close but each pipe will smoke a little differently even if you smoke the use the same tobacco and fill them the same.

Unlike practicing for a spelling bee, practice at pipe smoking is fun! :-)
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I've been having the same issues Quan, that and trying to smoke down the entire bowl. I can't get the last bit to burn. At least I'm having fun learning, cept getting the pop of hot ash in my mouth :-) I could be pulling too hard.

Hope the pipes treat ya well :-)

Chris
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