1) Packing : every flake (probably, every tobacco) packs differently. One consequence of which is that, with my short attention span, if I lay off a given weed for a while, I have to re-learn how to pack it all over again.

This is, if you're me, (and fortunately, you're not) more than ample justification for keeping the smokeular menu reduced to two or three entrees. Not to mention that, once you get the pipeular affinities involved worked out, there's always a well-rested briar ready for whatever the choice happens to be.

2) Drool : A tip from Marty that's greatly improved my pipes' performances (not like the problem was what I was doing with them or anything) --

a. Stick the stem further into your mouth than you ordinarily do, and

b. tilt the bowl up higher than the bit.

Seems awkward & silly at first but that can't be helped.

It works. Far less moisture accumulation, easier on the tongue, and far fewer maintainance cleaners used. What does accumulate inside the stem runs down to the bit, making it easy to blot with a kleenex (unless you're fond of drinking it).

Funny, I was just thinking about this thread the other day. Maybe you're improving your telepathy skills after all, Yak.

I am a wet smoker, and often I have a drink of some kind handy, even if it's just water or club soda. I tell you what, I quickly learned to keep the stem "above the water line" and the simple repositioning of the stem (even changing sides of the mouth) helped tremendously with mouth-to-pipe moisture issues.

I have also discovered each pipe along with each tobacco likes to be backed a particular way, likely for each person. I have, since originally posting this thread, discovered two pipe/tobacco combos that I know exactly how to approach and will get expected results, which was a fantastic milestone and reward for my observation and patience.

Sometimes, but not always, this stuff is just a big, smokey Rubik's Cube. Posting this stuff here helps, because now past-Kyle can travel to the future and read it and gain some insight. By the way, past-Kyle, the Dodgers were doing well but are totally losing it now. Act accordingly.