08.24
If you know much about pipes you will know that a good “carbon cake” is essential to a good smoking pipe. That “cake” is formed over time by the carbon being deposited on the inside walls of the bowl as the tobacco burns. With a new pipe, you have to go through a break-in process because there is no carbon at all in the bowl. You hear all kind of recommendations about using stuff like water, sugar water, honey, etc. to speed up the break-in process but the guy at the pipe shop told me to just smoke half-bowls until you get a good cake on the bottom. The cake on the bottom is the most critical part but it’s often the part that never gets a good buildup. He said it should take about 2-3 weeks.
Here is my new pipe. It’s a Cavicci 1C-142. I needed a pipe that was light and easy on the teeth and the Cavicci fit the bill nicely. I got it from The Briary here in town. They also take orders and ship anywhere and I highly recommend them. And in case your wondering, no I don’t have a zen garden set up specially for taking pictures of pipes. That’s the picture from the website.
Here is a link to The Briary’s site.
