Smoking Pipes For Relaxation

Smoking pipes have retained their distinguished reputation while other forms of smoking have fallen to unfavorable acts.  While friends may choke at cigar smoke or hate the odor caused by cigarettes, they tend to lift their noses and deeply inhale at the smell of sweet pipe tobacco.  Even the most opposed to the addictive habit of smoking seem to be disarmed by the sweetness of smoking pipes.

Many noteworthy persons were users of smoking pipes.  Authors C.S. Lewis and Tolkien were both known to enjoy their pipes.  Artist Norman Rockwell loved his pipe to the point it was almost always included in any self portrait.  The character Sherlock Holmes might never have solved any crimes had it not been for his trusty "U" shaped pipe.

Just what is that makes smoking pipes a habit that is distinguished when other forms of tobacco smoking are disdained?  Some may point to the pipe as a leisurely activity, unlike the hurried and frantic smoking of cigarettes.  If this were true, the cigar should be just as acceptable, however the smoke creates a cloud that lowers its acceptance.  The smoking pipe offers a smell that is sweet and is a act of leisure.  Even nonsmokers often enjoy the scent created.  Individuals who enjoy the pipe, yet are novices in the field should take some time to learn about their pipe before heading out in public for a smoke.  The art of pipe smoking can easily be botched by those new to the leisurely activity.

Three skills must be mastered when using a smoking pipe.  The first is learning to pack the tobacco correctly.  A second is keeping the pipe lit and burning.  The third is curing a pipe.  Curing is the most difficult and yet one of the most important to enjoying the new pipe.  Packing is simply a matter of practice.  The tobacco must be tamped correctly for a good draw.  It is necessary to balance compacting the leaf and providing airflow.  Tamping lets the coal lower into the pipe bowl a little more with each draw the smoker makes.


It takes some devotion to cure smoking pipes.  Dedicated smokers will own several pipes and devote one to each leaf that is enjoyed.  The danger of mixing leaves in on pipe is an indistinct cure.  This flavor obtained by the bowl itself becomes deeper as time passes.  Mixing tobaccos allows false tastes and bitter flavors to arise.  When just starting smoking pipes, it is good to use a cheap pipe until the favorite tobacco leaf is found.  As the pipe is carefully maintained, the cure can begin to set and give even greater flavor to the leaf being smoked.  Avoid scratching the bowl when cleaning the pipe.