What shape for what type of tobacco?

[RevSmoke]

I have heard for about 30 years, the pipe snobs say that flakes and straight Virginias should be smoked in flake pipes - and those are narrow chambered and small.

Personally, I love a bigger chamber for my VAs, whether flakes or not.

But, to know what you'll like for them, you must try them.

If I can give any advice, it would be to keep Virginia and Virginia/Perique blends out of pipes in which you have smoked a lot of aromatic or Latakia rich blends. Why? VAs and VaPers have subtle nuances of flavor that can become hidden or obscured in pipes that have been cloyed by such types of tobaccos.

[Emjaysmash]

Originally Posted by RevSmoke

I have heard for about 30 years, the pipe snobs say that flakes and straight Virginias should be smoked in flake pipes - and those are narrow chambered and small.

Personally, I love a bigger chamber for my VAs, whether flakes or not.

But, to know what you'll like for them, you must try them.

If I can give any advice, it would be to keep Virginia and Virginia/Perique blends out of pipes in which you have smoked a lot of aromatic or Latakia rich blends. Why? VAs and VaPers have subtle nuances of flavor that can become hidden or obscured in pipes that have been cloyed by such types of tobaccos.

This is very interesting advice! I smoke predominantly English/Latakia blends, but have a pipe dedicated to aromatics. Since ive parted ways with aromatics for sometime, I was thinking of turning this into a VA/VaPer pipe. Maybe I should hold off on that...

[RevSmoke]

Originally Posted by Emjaysmash

This is very interesting advice! I smoke predominantly English/Latakia blends, but have a pipe dedicated to aromatics. Since ive parted ways with aromatics for sometime, I was thinking of turning this into a VA/VaPer pipe. Maybe I should hold off on that...

If you want to do that, just do a deep cleaning of your pipe. Stuff cotton balls into the bowl tightly, then with the bowl standing up (have the stem slightly elevated so it doesn't all run out), pour as high a proof alcohol as you have (or can obtain), soaking the cotton ball. Let sit for 30min. - 1 hour.

Make sure you have plenty of pipe cleaners and a reamer handy.

Remove cotton ball, ream and dry inside of bowl, run pipe cleaners through until they come out white. Let pipe stand for a couple days until dry.

Then, start smoking your VAs. You "may" find some residual flavorings left. If you do, simply continue smoking VAs in it until it builds a cake and smoke clean.

If you want to be a real purist, smoke your VaPers in a different pipe than your VA. The Perique is a fairly strong condiment tobacco as well. Personally, I don't, but...

[Emjaysmash]

Originally Posted by RevSmoke

If you want to do that, just do a deep cleaning of your pipe. Stuff cotton balls into the bowl tightly, then with the bowl standing up (have the stem slightly elevated so it doesn't all run out), pour as high a proof alcohol as you have (or can obtain), soaking the cotton ball. Let sit for 30min. - 1 hour.

Make sure you have plenty of pipe cleaners and a reamer handy.

Remove cotton ball, ream and dry inside of bowl, run pipe cleaners through until they come out white. Let pipe stand for a couple days until dry.

Then, start smoking your VAs. You "may" find some residual flavorings left. If you do, simply continue smoking VAs in it until it builds a cake and smoke clean.

If you want to be a real purist, smoke your VaPers in a different pipe than your VA. The Perique is a fairly strong condiment tobacco as well. Personally, I don't, but...

Well then, off to find some alcohol!

[drob]

Originally Posted by Emjaysmash

Well then, off to find some alcohol!

Everclear works the best, IMO.

[Curly Cut]

Originally Posted by RevSmoke

I have heard for about 30 years, the pipe snobs say that flakes and straight Virginias should be smoked in flake pipes - and those are narrow chambered and small.

Personally, I love a bigger chamber for my VAs, whether flakes or not.

But, to know what you'll like for them, you must try them.

If I can give any advice, it would be to keep Virginia and Virginia/Perique blends out of pipes in which you have smoked a lot of aromatic or Latakia rich blends. Why? VAs and VaPers have subtle nuances of flavor that can become hidden or obscured in pipes that have been cloyed by such types of tobaccos.

everything he just said.
i've never been one to agree that flakes smoke better in thinner chambered pipes.

smoke what you like in what you like to smoke. as he said as well, you gotta try em to find out.