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I cut half the tin for at-home use and leave the other half for on-the-go smokes. I peel the flake lengthwise by hand like string-cheese, then I cut them fine. I'll leave it spread out on a metal tray to dry for a day or two, then pack my bowl lightly. I get an even, rich cool smoke with minimal...

For you flake and coin aficionados: what is your preferred method of loading your bowl: fold, hand-rub or cut?? Personally, if I'm going to smoke at home, I'll cut it fine, small cubes if the flake is thick enough. I usually hand-rub coin or carefully cut, then thoroughly mix in a small tray if...

After some web-sleuthing I learned that Dr. Plumb's bowls are GBD 'seconds' maybe a slight flaw or some filler, but solid nonetheless. Like I suspected, a good knockaround daily smoker for $30-$40, which is just fine for me. Thanks!

Has anyone had any experience with Dr. Plum's Pipes from the UK?? Haven't heard much about them, but they seem (and are priced) like they would make a good solid knock-around pipe. . .

Definitely on my wish list: nothing like your very own custom blend! Think of it as a "chemistry set for pipe-smokers."

I tried using the halcyon wax I use for polishing my bowls, worked great!

I got a small sample of Wallace with my order from Tobaccopipes.com (they send five half-ounce sample packets of assorted blends to first-time buyers with a promotional code.) It was the first flake I ever tried and I absolutely loved it! Tried it folded and hand-rubbed, prefer the latter...

Thank you all for your advice! I started out by swabbing the inside of the bowl with a pipe cleaner dipped in Everclear, allowed it to sit overnight to completely dry and then wrapped some fine grit sandpaper around my reamer and carefully worked it.  First smoke was with some Half & Half: I...

I eBayed an unsmoked vintage 60's Medico Crest Gothic (briar, not brylon) The inside of the bowl appears stained and finished. I've never seen that before: the couple of pipes that I've bought new were either unfinished wood or charred inside the bowl. I'm wondering how to break it in, if I...

My first foray into the world of Latakia's was Frog Morton's Cellar, which came highly recommended for those wanting to transition from aromatics to English and Balkan blends.  The whiskey overtones and smokiness of Latakia combine wonderfully and reminded me of a shot of Johnny Walker "Double...

One advantage that pipe smoking has over other fine indulgences such as cigars or wine is the collectability factor: once you smoke a cigar, its gone, and I've never heard wine enthusiasts rave about a particular vintage goblet. Pipes have that wonderful "Collect and trade with your friends"...

In the hashtag-in-your-face-instant-gratification-attention-deficit-disorder world of the 21st Century, it seems that many 'gentlemanly activities' are becoming a thing of the past.  Think about it: nowadays a man puffing his pipe is a novelty, and those of us who still do are looked upon...

Thanks to YouTube and the "Salts of the Earth" here on BoB, my smoking experience has advanced by leaps and bounds. . . . That being said, I'm transitioning from the beginner's penchant for ribbon-cut aromatics and starting to branch out into other types, one of which is flake: got a hold of...

A bunch of years back while at a Walgreens, on a whim I picked up Dr Grabow Grand Duke and a bag of Super Value Amaretto just to try it out.  Pleasant experience, but put it on the shelf . . . . Came across that old pipe and decided to have another go at it. Started off with what I knew, this...