How do you "Break in" a pipe?
How do you pick a shape for yourself?
How do you pick a shape for a gift?
What is the difference between "Aromatic and "Non aromatic" mean?
Why do people who smoke usually have more than one pipe?
How do you care for a Pipe?
What is Briar?
What is Meerschaum?

Q - How do you "Break in" a pipe?

A -  There used to be a theory that you start with a little bit of tobacco in the bottom of the bowl and work your way up, that relates very much to how far down you smoke a cigar. In England where pipe smoking was predominant, tobacco was and still is highly taxed. The Englishmen choosing to be conservative suffered the pangs of starting at the bottom and charring the bowl by smoking very little, at first only the bottom, then a third or quarter of the bowl and then half of the bowl and working its way up the top. We believe it is just as easy to start at the top and work your way down and pour out that "Dottle" as its called, which is the bottom-most part of the bowl. This would be the part of the tobacco, which acts as a filter for the entire smoke and will always be somewhat more bitter and harsh. The breaking-in of a pipe is just a matter of keeping it cool and clean, not puffing to hard, cleaning it and allowing it to dry out after every smoke and not to smoke it constantly.

Q - How do you pick a shape for yourself?

A -  Again what feels good. First of all it must feel comfortable in your hand, secondly you should find something that is well balanced and will not put a lot of strain on your teeth or your mouth. Everything is a matter of give and take, the thicker the bowl the cooler the smoke with the more absorption of heat to the briar, the thinner the bowl, the lighter the pipe, the hotter the smoke. A curve will be more balanced, a straight pipe will be less so. Again, the size of the bowl, the overall shape of the pipe, the capacity of the bowl, the thickness of the Briar are all a matter of personal taste, it's what looks good to you and feels good to you.

Q - How do you pick a shape for a gift?

A -  If you are buying a gift and you don't know what the smoker wants, try to pick a shape that is equivalent to his or her body shape. A tall man would get a longer pipe with a higher bowl; a short heavyset man would get a shorter pipe with a bigger bowl. For a large person you want a rounder larger bowl, for a slight person you want a narrower bowl. Think how it will look on the Gentlemen that will be smoking it. If a little man likes a big pipe he will be comfortable with it, but if you don't know that then match his stature with the shape of the pipe.

Q - What is the difference between "Aromatic and "Non aromatic" mean?

A -  Aromatic tobaccos are those that have flavorings or casings sprayed on the tobacco to produce a sweet or particular aroma. It varies from non-aromatic tobaccos, in that; non-aromatic tobaccos gather their aroma from a bouquet and tend to be less distinguishable in the essence of their aroma.

Q - Why do people who smoke usually have more than one pipe?

A -  Pipes need to cool and dry out between use. The same pipe smoked over and over without a rest period will become soggy and bitter. It is also a collectible and it is fun to have a change to match your moods.

Q - How do you care for a Pipe?

A -  Basically it is a matter of cleanliness and running a pipe cleaner through after every smoke. Scraping the carbon build-up out of the bowl when it gets more than a 32nd of an inch, which allows the pipe to dry out between smokes. The finish, if that matters to you, can be kept shiny and polished by rubbing the pipe when its warm along the edge of your nose or behind your ear to pick up its natural oils which will create a lovely patina on the briar (rub your finger alongside your nose and feel the natural oils secreted there).

Q - What is Briar?

A -  Briar is the root of the white heather plant. It is mined out of the ground, with some of the best Briar coming from Algeria and the Mediterrian region. It is particularly suitable to smoking and must be carefully treated if a good pipe is to be created from it.

Q - What is Meerschaum?

A -  Meerschaum, which means Sea Foam in German, is a deposit, similar to coal, which has been pressed under the earth for thousands and thousands of years. It is indigenous to Turkey and cannot be found anywhere else in the same form. There are two types of Meerschaum; blocked Meerschaum, which is the product as it is mined and pressed Meerschaum which is a less expensive and not as cool a smoking pipe. This is made from the shavings pressed together; much like pressed board to form a pipe.