Breaking In A New Pipe

 

Breaking in a New Long Arm Wooden Pipe

 

The typical reaction when somebody is presented with a long smoking pipe is trepidation about how it will smoke. After all, a 12” pipe, which is short by Long Arm Pipes standards, is longer than most people have smoked out of. 

Smoking from a longer pipe just takes a little practice. The first few draws may be harsh. The pipe needs to be smoked from to develop carbonization of the bowl. Within a little time, the carbonization creates a resistant barrier on the bowl wall that will mellow the smoke out, so you will actually be able to taste the contents. This is the same for traditional tobacco pipes where the smoker aims to develop a carbonized “cake” layer, created when tobacco is smoked in the wood bowl, making the pipe smooth and tasteful. 

To start up new long arm pipe, load up the bowl 1/4 to 1/2 way and take small draws. Small draws are better. The problem I see with first time users is they take too large a draw. You need to remember that the long stem absorbs the heat of the smoke, so it is difficult to realize how much smoke is moving through. Once you find your own “sweet spot” in how long to pull, you will really appreciate how a long stemmed pipe is better for smoking.