How to Smoke a Pipe: Stuff&Things Guide Part 1: "Why Smoke a Pipe?"

[@dreamofmirrors]

10 years later this is still a top-shelf series on pipe smoking. Thank you, sir!

[@MayaGoodeAuthor]

Your first pipe story was adorable. I still smile when I think of my first pipe and wish it hadn't been lost in a move. A friend who smoked look tobacco, took me to a local pipe shop. I was 18 and distracted by the lovely pipes. The man behind the counter was absolutely charmed by me being this young girl looking at his pipes. He showed me almost every pipe in the store, showed be how to clean and pack. Everything. And then, he sold me a gorgeous little pipe that smoked beautifully, my zippo and some cherry candevish tobacco. My friend gave me an old bag for my pipe and tobacco and every time I pulled it out, the smell reminded me of that lovely day.

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

+Maya Goode - Sounds like some good memories!

[@MayaGoodeAuthor]

Stuff&Things Yeah, it's one of a few really special memories during a hard time.

[@pacificcoastpiper3949]

Maya Goode my first one was a whiskey aromatic in a Missouri meerschaum cob

[@FocusMedia96]

I smoke a pipe for the relaxation it gives, not to mention its a very old past time of a very old tradition, I don't know if any of my family members ever smoked a pipe, but I'm an old fashioned kinda guy, I like to embrace the past, old fashioned clothing and old fashioned ways of life, pipe smoking is a very old tradition and very few people in my town know it still exists haha, but its relaxing, I find I can sit in a park and chill out and have time to think about certain things. The tobacco's are varied and the community online is vast and wide! :)

[@KevinTwiner]

FocusMedia96 well said and good to meet you.

[@danielcrafton6676]

Hello, I'm a new 52year old pipe smoker. Just wanted to let you know how much a appreciate your videos. They have sure shortened my learning curve. Thank you from a new subscriber.

[@congerscott6064]

I smoke a pipe simply because I like it, I like everything about it, been doing it for years with no desire to quit, great video 👍.

[@rickklohn5492]

Thanks for the good information! At 57 I started affecting a pipe as an effort to reconnect with memories of my male lineage and have discovered the calming effects of the "ritual". My father used to quip, "a pipe gives a wise man time to think and a fool something to stick in his mouth." Thanks again for your help

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

+Rick Klohn - I like your father's saying. Very well said.

[@Bigsmokingwolf]

I for one would not worry about what society thinks, pipe smoking has always relaxed me. I have always found it funny that people will knock smoking, when they eat tons of smoke, chemical laden BBQ meats every day. Great videos dude, just found your channel a few day ago and subbed you to stay up with your videos, Cheers.....Big

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

Thanks for watching! Yes, people like to cast aspersions on others for what they do without looking at their own habits.

[@HarmonicaMustang]

Great story. Mine is not so different. I also was 18 years old when I decided to smoke a pipe. But, I wanted to try it somehow first before investing in a proper pipe and tobacco. So I looked up DIY pipes and found corncob pipes. So I bought a corncob from Tesco and began working it into a bowl. Next I needed a stem, so I took some bamboo and dried it. It turned out the hole I made for the stem was too big so I had to create layers of superglue in order to close it. So I had my first pipe. Now I needed tobacco. My mum had a herb garden so I took some mint and lavender and dried it. I heard it should be moist, but I left it out for too long and it was bone dry. Next, I saw pipe smokers in my community use some metal device to push down on the tobacco in the bowl. So I got a nail with a wide head. Finally, matches. So I packed my pipe, and tried to light it. Wind kept blowing my match out. Finally I got it to light. And it was a 30 second smoke, considering how dry the tobacco was. But I kind of liked it. So I tried smoking a couple more times when I've decided I want to continue this hobby. I went to the local tobacconist to get everything I need. Although he was a bit annoyed about dealing with an inexperienced kid, he let me take my time in choosing a pipe, choosing a tobacco and helped with what I need to get started e.g. pipe tool, pipe cleaners etc. and told me all the important things about packing, tongue-bite, caring for my pipe etc. I've been coming back to him ever since for new tobacco and we've become good friends.

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

+DJ Shuffle - Well, you certainly went about acquiring your first pipe and "tobacco" in an interesting way!

[@rvz77]

I myself, as well as most pipe enthusiasts enjoy pipe smoking as a form of relaxation. There is a zen quality to the methodical process prior to lighting up. Well put Bradley, It is a PAST TIME. My wife HATES IT. I ADORE ITS NUANCES. That being said, I wanted to mention about the scientist distillation or extraction of the nicotine from the plants. There is a difference in nicotine between pipe/cigar tobacco and cigarettes. In cigarettes, long ago, they discovered how to FREE-BASE the nicotine (much like crack;no joke) so it delivers into your system much quicker. Nicotine on its own is a slow delivery system, calming, and not as addictive as the 'free-based' quicker delivery system they created to implement in cigarettes. I was a former cigarette smoker as well. Same as you Bradley, I'm relatively the same age as you. Look into the differences in the nicotine molecular structures in its original state and those chemically altered & used in cigarettes. There are some interesting articles. Pipes/cigars & cigarettes are NOT one in the same. Take Care pipe smoking community.

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

+rvz77 - Yes, for the most part, you're definitely getting a much more pure and natural form of tobacco when you smoke a pipe. Thanks for watching!

[@rickydavis63]

Hi! I really enjoy your videos. I have taken Up pipe smoking over the past couple of weeks here and I am absolutely hooked on it. Not as a nicotine delivery system, but as a hobby. This hobby is enjoyable to me, as is all of the "work" that goes into it. One of my goals is to learn more about tobaccos and perhaps if there are certain types of tobaccos that may compliment certain things or even events. Learning is fun with this hobby. I bought a Peterson pipe from my local tobacco shop just a couple of weeks ago and discovered I enjoyed smoking so much I just ordered my second Peterson pipe to begin collecting and building a rotation of pipes. Smoking a pipe is a very contemplative hobby and in my mind, a great tool for reflection, especially at the end of the day.

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

I'm glad you're enjoying the hobby!

[@tristansteinhelfer8083]

I got into cigars this summer, and like having one or two as day, usually on my walks to work or the library. My grandpas pipe has been sitting in my room for like a year now, and I want to get into it. These videos seem like a perfect start

[@TheMagicianPiper]

Oh man Golden Eye lol how that brings back memories... Great tips Brad. Enjoying your videos from a new comer.

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

Thanks for watching!

[@50snow50]

I started smoking a pipe occasionally about a year ago and I can attest to the amazing contemplative qualities of smoking a pipe. I love just sitting with my pipe and thinking, especially when I am thinking about papers for school. Love the conversation with other people too. You mention ritual in the video, and I think that this is the most important aspect of smoking a pipe because it gives a centering aspect to the act of smoking. Thanks for the videos!

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

+50snow50 - Thanks for watching! Conversation over a pipe is definitely one of the best parts of the hobby.

[@50snow50]

+Stuff&Things My friend and I try to meet up once a week or so and smoke a pipe over great conversation. It is a great blessing to have that!

[@UFO4X]

I just happened to stumble upon this series and I must say, it was very interesting listening to your first journey into pipe smoking! Even though I’ve gained lots of knowledge over the past 3 years on the internet, I still like watching these, “How to Smoke a Pipe” videos. Always entertaining! Good job!

[@drjonado]

I agree with you on the relaxing/calming part of smoking. the right environment, the smell of the smoke. just a nice zen-like mental relaxation. I smoke less. I am an occasional hobby-ist smoker. I have deployed overseas multiple times. first time was Iraq...at least once a week we had some night time relaxation around a fire in a 55 gallon steel drum. all others smoked cigars...I was the odd ball with my pipe...a really really cheap pipe I bought at the "haji" shop. by the end of rotation that pipe was being held together by green duct tape....still have that one...I looked forward to each one of our camp fire nights.

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

+J Nadeau - I've wondered whether anyone ever smoked a pipe while deployed. It's great to hear you first-hand account! I can imagine LOTS of cracked shanks and broken stems, but good on you for stubbornly sticking with the pipe.

[@MrHQQX]

I "started" with my grandad right after the 18th b-day, that was once month thing during summer and I really didn't get into it. Since he died I haven't touched a pipe for like 3 years, but recently got back to it, I quit smoking a few months ago but was really missing the relaxation of smoking and the whole ritual. I've limited myself to one bowl a day just so I don't get nicotine dependency again and so far depending on the weather I smoke bowl every day or every other day. I'm really glad I got back to it and that I can now enjoy tobacco without the addiction.

[@distortzz]

Best pipe vloggers iv found. Thanks mate

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

distortzz - Glad you're enjoying the channel.

[@rangawhitearm]

I've smoked a pipe since I was 18 I'm 40 this year and the main reason i started was to slow me down a bit and relax. 4 of the men in my life who had major influences on me were pipe smokers. So to me it was only natural to go to pipes instead of cigarettes. Now i also love collecting estate pipes and trying different blends.

[@BrutherBriar]

Thanks for referring me to this. I enjoyed hearing your story. I too find pipe smoking to be a relaxing pass time. Definitely a stress relieving hobby, not addiction. I think that's one difference you hear between pipe/cigar smokers and cigarette smokers. One is thought on with enjoyment, and the other (more often than not) is seen as a vice.

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

+BrutherBriar - I agree. Thanks for watching!

[@puregrymra6359]

Im seriously thinking about buying my first pipe and these videos are really helping me, i really enjoy watching them as well and they keep me interested mas well :D thanks for the advice and keep up the good work on the videos!

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

Pure Shiftry - It's my pleasure! I'm glad you're finding the videos useful.

[@willywonka1815]

Pipe smoking is not a pastime or a hobby ,it's an absolute necessity dear chap

[@juliusfinkas]

wow your lighting has become better! Keep it up Bradley

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

Definitely a little less production value in these early videos!

[@tagheuer001]

I agree about the lesser stigma of piping in public. I've gotten nothing but compliment if I ever get feedback.

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

It's nice not to be yelled at by cigarette-haters all the time.

[@KevinTwiner]

Always a smile unless it’s A Latbomb

[@rvz77]

Over my few years of pipe smoking as a hobby have made quite a few purchases, though haven't found myself smoking them as much. Bradley, as you've mentioned in another video, I too am an individual who strangely likes delayed gratification. So I have many tobaccos that are just sitting there aging. If you'd like any to review, please let me know. I did the math; if I smoke 2-3 bowls a week, it'll take me 30 years to liquidate my supply of various tobaccos...PS, enjoy your channel. Keep up the good work sir...

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

+rvz77 - Wow. Sounds like you've definitely honed delayed gratification into an art form!

[@rvz77]

+Stuff&Things haha. I guess so. it's more so because I'm from the Chicagoland area. The seasons are quite variable here. finding time to smoke & waiting on the weather to cooperate shortens the time to ACTUALLY ENJOY a relaxing bowl outdoors.

[@pifferaio55]

Great video my friend. I enjoy all your vids. I love my pipes. Started late, for all the good reasons. Thank you for a great vibe and lots of knowledge!

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

Thanks 👍

[@isaacalexander5464]

Nice video sir. By the way, nice Ricky on the wall behind you!

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

+Isaac Alexander - Thanks! She is definitely a beaut.

[@pacificcoastpiper3949]

STUFFandTHINGS I was more distracted by the bass

[@madgenin8897]

Got a similar story. In my 20 i ve bought peterson killarney pipe - black saloon beauty and peterson irish whiskey tobacco. Too strong for novice pipe, too strong for newcomer. The second choice was dunhill mild blend. I still have tins from both. Then i left the pipe for 20 years. Last year i found the pipe, cleaned it and discovered Hal o the wynd. Now iam everyday smoker with 20 blends, 20 pipes.. Kind regards from czech republic

[@kkurilj]

Great video! Greetings from Croatia!

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

Greetings from the USA, and thanks for watching!

[@Jordan-tc6xu]

Great video bro! I also like to think about pipe smoking as a great quest - for that perfect pipe and perfect tobacco, kinda like the HG of pipe smoking :) Also pipe smokers are the easiest people to buy presents for. You can never fail with buying a present for a pipe smoker, and it doesn't have to be an expensive pipe. It can be tobacco, lighter, any pipe related accessory, and again it doesn't have to be expensive. My favorite present (and pipe for that matter) is this no-name-20-Euros Czech pipe that my wife brought me from Prague (the one on my photo). And talk about the delight when you discover that perfect tobacco. Though I have to disagree with you about the "hobbyist" vs "habitual" divide (pipe smoking is not a habit, it's a ritual), but hey, we don't have to agree on everything :) Best regards from Macedonia. Happy smokes :)

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

Jordan Arsov - Nice comment! I agree, pipe-smokers (or really anyone with a hobby) are indeed the easiest people to buy for. Thanks for watching!

[@greymetamorphosis]

Tried it cause I never got to and ended up loving it. Trying to make it a hobby but I have an addictive personality so we shall see.

[@JohnAmidon-c6r]

I'm 70 yesrs old and I've never smoked, 'though my dad smoked all three sources. Why start now? Two reasons, I think . For one, I blame Gandalf. Coolest dude ever! For the second, someone described pipe smoking as a good form of meditation and that struck a chord with me. So, here I go! Subbed. BTW. Good content !

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

Welcome!

[@alphatango1358]

Thanks for sharing your feelings and thoughts ... experiences ... greetings from New York..

[@yinyangthang]

The ritualized process--similar to Japanese tea ceremony.

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

+yinyangthang - Very much so.

[@DillonTDavis]

Hey Bradley, I just came across your station recently and have been really enjoying your back catalogue of videos. Also, I was curious, since I couldn't help but notice your Beatles Revolver poster on the wall, if you had any interest in doing album reviews at some point?

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

+Dillon Davis - That's a thought. It might be outside of the scope of this channel currently, but I'll definitely keep it in mind. Thanks for watching!

[@benderbendingrodriguez6280]

I smoke pipes but it’s a different type of plant than tobacco 🌳

[@thesmoovepiper4356]

very nice video I also enjoy smoking a pipe and it is very relaxing and collect ur thoughts of the day I'm not a new pipe smoker I've been smoking a pipe sence I was 25yr old I'm 44 now I'm always looking for new pipes shapes and new tobacco's love ur videos keep them coming peace

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

+Peter Tucker - Thanks for watching!

[@thesmoovepiper4356]

:) your welcome u give alot of gd advice and suggestions I hope u do a video on pipe cleaning I'd like to see ur methods on that

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJKrhp99Zc5ja8k

[@thelowmein9143]

i just got a beautiful savanelli with those little balsa inserts, i love it.

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

Good! I hope you enjoy it.

[@Jaden48108]

I took your advice and procured a black rusticated Porto Cervo by Savinelli- it's by far the best smoking pipe in my arsenal. It has the balsa wood filter which doesn't affect the draw one bit and keeps the tongue bite at bay. The other thing I like about it is the rounded top which lends itself to the Frank Method of filling. Anywho- thanks for all the good info.

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

Thomas S. - Great! I'm glad you were able to pick up a pipe you really enjoy.

[@marievertus3056]

+Stuff&Things evangeliste telord

[@jaimepaullamb1187]

I have a very similar story. While pipe smoking is not a replacement for nicotine delivery, pipe smoking affords me that contemplative time out. A time to disengage that I got from cigarettes.

[@christomlin8892]

Bradley, I'm still new to the pipe smoking community. I started smoking as a way to help me relax and to help me fall asleep. I have bad insomnia nothing i have tried works other than smoking a pipe. I have tried a few aromatics and got bad tongue bite. I have tried the Peterson's Irish oak and it didn't give me any tongue bite and i liked the flavor. It tends to give me a slight head buzz though. Is there a tobacco that you would recommend for a night time smoke? Thanks!

[@pacificcoastpiper3949]

chris tomlin have you ever had a mixture like an English? Those are my nighttime blends

[@chrisfryday]

Subbed thanks for making this playlist

[@honuhalawahalepule653]

Good to see a younger physically fit pipe smoker dude. Smoke on my pipe PNW brother! 🔥 Tim from Pdx

[@honuhalawahalepule653]

I occasionally smoke a pipe because my grandparents smoked pipes including my grandmother. Also when I lite my pipe I send the smoke as a prayer toward heaven for all souls who have walked this Earth before me. ☁️

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

Thanks 👍

[@DanBanan69]

These videos are a great resource, thank you. I'm thinking of trying some pipe tobacco myself to see if I can slow down my intake of nicotine and put some enjoyment into what is now a mindless addiction (I'm using snuff to get my fix). I have one question: I see you smoke indoors, which I imagine many pipe smokers do. Everyone knows the smell that cigarette smoke leave, in the room itself, on your clothes, the furniture, etc. How is this aspect with pipe smoking? Does it reek like cigarettes? Does it stay in your clothes? Do you find it a problem at all? Again, thanks!

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

+Aculnahuacatl Tzaqualcatl - Thanks for watching! The lingering smell varies by blend, but in general, pipe tobacco doesn't leave the same sort of stale smell behind.

[@gundorethemighty]

stuff&things i been smoking for over 15 years . the only thing i would like to say is the lighter thing is a no no . just saying kinda ruins the flav of the tobacco . but im not trying to say your wrong people smoke the way they like to . only reason why i left this is i smoke my great grad father pipe an it really help me sit back an read a book :)

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

The idea that a lighter will "ruin" the flavor of your tobacco is an antiquated convention with no empirical data to back it up. A soft-flame butane lighter in particular won't impart any flavor to the tobacco or scorch it while lighting. Like you said though, people should "smoke the way they like to." Thanks for watching!

[@williamaylesbury367]

Great channel! I am new to that pipe-lifestyle, but i like it! How many bowls do you smoke a day?

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

+William Aylesbury - Thanks for watching! Sometimes none, sometimes three or four. It varies wildly.

[@drohegda]

My Friend such really well done videos your observations are genuine and well taken by myself, you are very knowledgeable ,and I Thank You very much. can i ask if you are of Irish Nationality or was that an easy one.i am new and read and watching everything trying like CSNY said and the Bible to separate the wheat from the chaff.

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

Most Americans are a combination of several different ethnicities. I'm mostly English, German, and Norwegian, with a little bit of Irish as well.

[@drohegda]

thank you i english nationality also.

[@raybrensike42]

Why in the world do cigars taste so different than pipe tobacco? Same plant, right? Two different worlds as far as taste and smell is concerned.

[@Timthornton1]

I came here because I was looking for a new addiction

[@willywonka1815]

Life without a pipe would be absolutely ,utterly and totally unbearable

[@dena180]

i started smoking a pipe because i liked the act of smoking, and weed is too expensive lol. i still smoke weed, but way less. because the craving of smoking is now not associated with craving a high.

[@rebkong]

you only look the hipster when you wearing the funny hat bubba but you make the nice video

[@ethan6864]

Dude what is that little cork thing in the stuff in the beginning? they sent me one of those with my pipe and i don't know what it is.

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

In the ashtray? Most pipe ashtrays include a cork knocker for you to use to empty your pipe without hitting the rim on something hard. I never really use it.

[@dave03085]

Christ the muscles on him and he smokes

[@quantumleap1593]

Never tried a pipe going to today wish me luck 😮

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

Good luck!

[@SLVshadow]

I think I got the same bass as you, Fender P-Bass Special DLX?

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

That's the one!

[@zabaanshenaas]

I've noticed that a lot of hipster types tend to vape.

[@siredith8846]

I make sure I’m out of sight as much as possible while smoking a pipe. I hate the attention.

[@nickcage3703]

I just smoke because it tastes good and is a good excuse to be outside and relax in nature.

[@siredith8846]

Why do you cover the bowl with your fingers while puffing?

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

It helps with the draw when it's not burning well. Helps to get a concentrated blast of air in the bowl.

[@methanbasscover]

What the lighter please? Old Boy?

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

Peterson pipe lighter.

[@jimmywalker1568]

Why I smoke a pipe it is relaxing

[@BackseatCharlie]

Just like you i started with an aromatic blend and for some reason I still keep buying aros even though I get no flavor. i tried the gl pease and that smells like the shoe section of big 5 and i didnt enjoy it. I also have an orlik golden sliced(which you like) and i still dont get flavor. T_T

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

+Bada Bass - No flavor, huh? Well, I don't really know what to tell you. I appreciate you watching though.

[@BackseatCharlie]

+Stuff&Things no worries, great videos!

[@ArmyMan3241]

When quit smoking cigarettes by vaping for a while then decided to try smoking a pipe again I got a little bit of tongue bite because I wasn't used to tobacco any more but I didn't like flavored tobacco or roll your own tobacco any more RYO tasted dirty that was from the first and second time a played with e cigs flavored tobacco tasted chemical and little cigarette like in the after taste

[@siredith8846]

Your first pipe salesman sounds like Basil Fawlty.

[@williamjp7352]

Loving the videos, Bradley. I think I've watched all of them already (apart from the Minecraft stuff -- I'm not a gamer, sorry). Anyway, keep up the great work. All the best. Ah, hipsters...... wundergroundmusic.com/hipster-slips-disk-under-weight-of-own-pretentiousness/

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

william pye - Ha! Good link.

[@mreunome]

just a tip . . . you need to tamp your pipe in between puffs and you'll find you won't have to relight as often. Just press down gently to allow the embers to heat the unlit tobacco up. See if it works for you.

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

Yep. I mention that very thing in subsequent videos in the series.

[@colby7490]

Love this series. Thanks for sharing with me and everyone else and passing along information that most everyone else would do so in a condescending way! Subscribed to your channel, check out mine!

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

+Colby and Cadie - I appreciate the feedback! I will definitely take a look at your channel when I get the chance.

[@TheBez58]

Lighting your pipe with butane major fail , matches dear boy matches

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

+john berrisford - Are you being facetious? A soft-flame butane lighter works quite well. The only butane lighters I would avoid are the "torch-style" lighters that send out a very concentrated jet of flame. Thanks for watching!

[@pacificcoastpiper3949]

STUFFandTHINGS those are perfect for cigars though

[@graysongreco4292]

I don’t even smoke why am I here

[@airsoftguy7171]

you make me want to be a phlebotomist.