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We pipe smokers can be a ritualistic lot at the best of times, observing methods of packing and lighting passed down from smoker to smoker in order to elicit the absolute coolest, driest, most pleasurable smoke possible. Luckily most of us draw short of donning robes or ceremonial garb...anymore anyway. All this being said, let's throw some fuel on the fire and add a few more observances (in no particular order) to the list.
1. Throw in some pipe cleaners with every order.
Seriously, there is nothing worse than running out of pipe cleaners, and the last thing you want to do is have to make a run to your B&M or pay shipping on an order just because you forgot to resupply. Besides, you can never have too many, and you can use them for a lot of things, but the only thing you can use as a pipe cleaner is a pipe cleaner. Got too many? Throw a few packs at the kids and keep them busy for an hour or two.
2. If you're staying more than one night, unpack.
While it's good life advice in general, it goes doubly so for pipe smokers as you don't want the stale tobacco smell of your pipes permeating your clean clothes, especially if you're away for business, weddings, etc.
3. Keep a tasting journal.
To be fair here, I'm in favour of any excuse to write, and to get people writing, but keeping tasting notes can have other advantages. Not only is it forcing you to slow down and think about your smoke more, but a journal is something you can go back through and check on which blends you did or didn't like, and observe your evolving tastes. Try to include things like the date, temperature/weather conditions, and even any beverage you paired with your pipe.
4. Leave spare tampers everywhere.
In your car, office, home, boat, whatever, if you're there regularly and can smoke a pipe, leave a tamper somewhere. Have a cafe you frequent? Ask the staff if you can leave a tamper in their junk drawer. Some of the more red-blooded among you will insist that a finger tip will do in a pinch, but personally I like my fingers to not be covered ash and blisters. I guess I'm just strange like that.
5. Stick a pipe cleaner in it.
There's some contention on the issue of leaving a pipe cleaner in your shank/stem after smoking, but most of that revolves around the fact that after the cleaner has absorbed the excess moisture, it has nowhere to go. Once you're done with your smoke, stick a pipe cleaner in it and remove it in 15-20 minutes. Boom! Best of both worlds.
6. Always ask.
Even in smoke friendly bars, some owners/managers/customers are adverse to pipe and cigar smoke. Most of the time it'll be fine, but you can bet that the ones that say no would have kicked up a fuss if you'd just lit up without asking first. Besides, it's never a bad thing to be polite. Never.
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Comments
7. Leave lighters and/or matches everywhere. I'd argue that over tampers: I can tamp with my fingers but without fire...
For many years I have kept a journal of each smoke. I track the date, pipe, blend, any notes that may be of pertinence, and an overall grade. I've found it to be helpful, and entertaining, to read some of the entries made many years ago. It has shown me many patterns and trends in my taste for various tobaccos and blends. It is also a great way to tell which blends to stock up on and which ones to forget about completely.
Agree on the Journal idea. My journal keeps it brief -- pipe ID ... Tobacco ... Short comment on the experience (optional, no need to comment on cobs and Prince A on a summer evening). So when I decide to smoke me some Old Dublin, I can quickly find a pipe that likes that blend. And if I begin with the pipe, it takes but a moment to find a promising tobacco. Well worth the modest effort required. And as Jimmy said, it has it's entertaining moments.
in houston smoking is only allowed outside the establishment. in one particular pub i traveled to see a friend play in his band i asked the manager on duty first. he was glad i did and said itd be fine. he was appreciative and then i had some others sit at my table because they liked the aroma of the blend i chose. great conversations turned into a good time.
I have a cloth bag that one of my favorite Peterson's came in. I keep it stocked with pipe cleaners and extra matches. I use a cleaner after every smoke. When one smokes a lot of flakes it becomes part of the routine. It is a part of the ritual that I have adopted and completes a good smoke.
Oh God forbid you have to stop in at a B&M. The horror...
I've resorted to leaving a Czech tool on my key chain. Much like a bottle opener, it has come in handy more than I could have imagined.
I keep cleaners and pipe nails everywhere I can. In my truck, work truck, lunchbox and all over the house. I keep a Czech tool on my keys and keep my tampers, pipetools and pipeknife home mostly
I also like to keep some of the folding pipe stands handy along with wood matches. A pipe journal would probably be a good idea, but after 45 years of pipe smoking, it is probably a little late to start one. Happy New Year!
I CARRY A LARGE PAPER CLIP TO OPEN THE SMOKING HOLE IF IT GETS CLOGGED. WORKS PRETTY WELL.IT SERVES AS AN INEFFICIENT TAMPER AS WELL BUT WORKS OK.
The Pipe Smokers Journal on Amazon. It will cover all your needs for a journal plus includes pipe acquisition section and tobacco inventory.
Keep a generic pipe sock in your car: not only will it keep your pipe of the day from getting dinged up, it will minimize the old ash and dottle that inevitably find their way into the car's nooks and crannies.
My Lord, I'd just about kill to be able to smoke inside a bar or restaurant...how I miss those days!!!
@Rondy M. Reeves Jr. There's a couple you can smoke at here in Myrtle Beach, but even they get funny about pipe and cigar smoke. Such a shame.
Does anybody outthere have any opinions about Pokers? And not the ones you poke the fire with!
Here in Ireland smoking in bars and restaurants is very much.offlimits! So its nice to be able to light up in 1 or 2 bars!
We are so fortunate than within 8km of my home I have 4 pubs that allow smoking. My pipes and I and good whisky, happy days indeed.
PS apologies, greetings from Johannesburg, South Africa
@Ted Fortunate indeed, Ted. There's a few bars around the office that allow smoking, but even then they're not quite accustomed to pipe smokers.
Newbie pipe hound...
First time I've read your stuff. After 45 years I do 3,4, 5 just from otj. I like Tim's idea of the sock.