New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart

[Mister Moo]

Originally Posted by BigFrank

Thanks for the answer Mr. Moo. Would a straight VA be good for breaking in a new pipe? Ive got some Navy Flake bulk laying around that is rather light. I think it has a little perique in it, but I can't taste any of it in the blend. Or maybe some FVF.
I would like to dedicate the new pipe to either VA or VA/Per. I find that bent pipes smoke rather well with virginia's. For me at least.

Welllllll... yeahhhhh...... Sure. But but but.... this is the place for new pipe smokers to get down with their "burning questions" of the moment, so...

Thing is, even a well-rubbed Escudo flake can be a little touchy when it comes to filling a pipe uniformly (and burning through it evenly) compared to a nice pedestrian ribbon cut tobak. Not that that's the end of the world but, with a new pipe, I'd argue, give it a break for the a first few smokes. At least consider an ounce of a nice ribbon cut VA or VAPer to get a good start on some cake. And, you know, VA tends to burn hotter than burley and english tobak to, why NOT start with an ounce of Carter Hall, anyhow?

Fact is, when I get a new pipe and decide, "This sucker is destined for VA....", I'm now more likely to start it off (lately) with Carter Hall than a ribbon VA. I used to start any new pipe with any VA (flake, etc.) to see how it'd handle it right off the bat but finally decided, "Cut this chit out. It's just a little too hot and chunky for the first few smokes." A dozen or so smokes with Carter Hall won't ruin your pipe for FVF a month down the road; burning an airhole with some hot VA might.

Other opinions may vary. This is just my view. I would really appreciate hearing from other Old Farts on this issue, too. I will try to invite a special guest in to add some thoughts here as well.