I am a novice pipe smoker. I watched this video and the one about lighting your pipe and tried it immediately. It was awesome! I only had to re light it once and smoked a whole bowl with no tongue bite! Every time I have smoked up til now, I at least got "cottonmouth" (extremely dry mouth). Not today with the breathe method!
Sam Hunter - I am so pleased to hear it my friend, you are a prime example of why I started this channel, to help people enjoy pipe smoking as much as I do. Congratulations. 😃😃😃
@Caleb You can do it either way. It would be an extra mechanical function to keep the smoke up. You could slowly breathe it in and exhale it through your nose, breathing in through your nose to take a break, etc. But to answer your exact question, yes, this method is for inhaling.
@Caleb I dont recommend to inhale the smoke into your lung. Keep your mouth closed under the whole process (except at the very end) and inhale on your nose. When you doing it you will draw some smoke from the pipe into your mouth as well but you wont inhale the smoke into your lungs. Dont do that. After that, breath it out on your nose (you gonna see you will exhale some air/smoke from your mouth into the pipe as well) and repeat again and again until your mouth is comfortable full with smoke. Then just let the smoke out from your mouth and enjoy the great taste of your tobacco. You need some practice but dont give up! Maybe you have to change little tings on your techniqe depends on your pipe and different tobaccos but you gonna find the right way. This method teached me how to taste the tobaccos properly. Now I using other method as well and its very exciting to change them during one bowl. But first just find the rhythm that fits to you and your pipe. Dont hurry. Do it slowly.
This method is bound to enhance the relaxation aspect. Much of meditation technique involves focusing on the breath and how to control it. It's naturally relaxing.
I know this is an OLD video, but I wanted to share my experience here. I have always (ALWAYS) had tongue bite. I tried different pipes, different blends, different packing methods, etc. Nothing helped. I loved the taste, but my tongue hurt after smoking. Finally, after about 6 years smoking a few times a month, I got frustrated and started smoking cigars instead because the tongue bite was so bad. I didn't touch my pipes for 4-5 years at least, until last week when I got a wild hair and decided to try again. One last chance before I gave all my pipe stuff away and put a bigger humidor on that shelf, right? Looking for different methods to pack the pipe better, I found this video. So I packed my pipe using a method from one of your other videos and used the breath method to enjoy a bowl of WO Larsen 1864. No tongue bite! Maybe it was a fluke? Since last week, I've smoked with the breath method twice a day using different tobaccos and have had NO tongue bite at all. I breath in and out 2-3 times normally (while reading, or working on some woodworking project in the garage), massaging the smoke in the pipe, then take a slow deliberate puff off the pipe. It's great because you get a little taste or sip of the smoke with every breath in, then a bigger and more full taste of it on the puff. It has been amazing. My pipe stays cool, my tongue stays bite-free and I don't have to relight as frequently (another problem I was having, probably contributing to the tongue bite). I think breathing back out through the pipe stokes the ember a bit? Boy am I glad I didn't throw my pipe tobacco away! I honestly might give my cigars away and return to my favorite pipes again. Thank you!
That's awesome man, that inspires me since I am here to try yet again. I always huff and puff and destroy myself. Hopefully I can get it right this time.
I've been using this method for about 2 weeks now and this works amazingly. I'm new to pipe smoking, and I've never been around it before. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. This is such a relaxing thing for me. I do this as a stress release, for some reason it's like all my anxiety melts away when I smoke tobacco pipe. I can't even describe how it feels to smoke a pipe at the end of a day, and using this method it's actually much more enjoyable and less frustrating. I can just sit back and enjoy it, way less re-lights and tongue bite. I look forward to using this method for hopefully 60, 70 more years to come (I'm only 24) thank you again for imparting this to my life. You seriously changed the entire pipe smoking experience for me.
You remind me of my late step dad. Same methodical explanation style, same gestures, same speed. Anyways so that the way you demonstrate this method of smoking is exactly how he used to smoke his pipe
Getting my first pipe tomorrow, Stanwell Brushed Black 84, excited to start this new journey. My brother in law and I are both married with kids and lead a very hectic life. Both our wives are stay at home moms (often I feel he and I are the lucky ones, I couldn’t imagine doing all that my wife does she really is an incredible woman), but I digress. He’s a police officer and I work in the tree industry, 60-70 hr work weeks with little sleep and kids ranging from 1 to 5. We’ve decided to pursue this as a means to both relax and unwind as well as grow closer together, he’s my best buddy and I’m really thrilled to get to share this with him. Thanks for all your informative videos, you’re a wealth of knowledge.
I'm a cigarette smoker trying to use a pipe to get rid of cigarettes. I also love cigars, but good cigars are too expensive for me to smoke all day. I found a great cheap pipe tobacco I love the smell and taste of, but until I found this video I was about to give up on trying to smoke it. Thank you! I can now keep my pipe lit, and I'm also enjoying the satisfaction of manipulating the ember inside the bowl.
I am a new piper and this method helpes me go from chuffing like a train to finally relaxing and enjoying myself. Thanks for all the great tips and techniques.
It's so refreshing to just listen to someone talk so calmly and non-stop unlike so many young RU-vidrs that feel the need to do constant cuts in their videos. I haven't even tried this method yet but I just wanted to say I appreciate all of your work and help with me and my pipe-smoking. You are very relaxing to listen to. I will try this method soon.
I got my first pipe a few weeks ago, and the first smoke was good, but then I was making all sorts of mistakes. The next couple of smokes tasted of ash. It kept going out. The room note smelled like a house fire. Then I discovered your videos and and especially this one. I had another go with a friend last night, and I have to say that it was a totally different experience. Relaxing, smooth, cool, I hardly had to relight it, and we smoked for maybe 40 minutes. No tongue bite, no sore throat, just pure enjoyment. Thank you for your guidance, wisdom and advice.
I have wanted to pick up pipe smoking for the longest time and just got a few pipes for Christmas. After a few frustrating days I came across this video and wow, just wow. The breath method is amazing, truly a game changer. Took a few tries, but once I got the hang of it I found it awesome.
Thanks for all your videos, especially for the Breathe Method. I have been smoking a pipe for 35 years, and now I enjoy it more than ever thanks to you. I wish you all the best. Best regards from Smederevo, Serbia.
Thank you for saving me! I now smoke my pipe properly. I am relaxed. I smoke right to the bottom of the bowl. My pipe never gets hot and I no longer get tongue bite. Thank you! 👍🔥💨
5 years late but just wanted to say this method made no sense to me until I tried it. Amazing how much more enjoyable and controllable it makes a smoke behave. Thanks for passing a bit of wisdom along. It's made a world of difference for me
Good evening sir! I commented the other day that I had been researching and and learning about pipe smoking. I finally broke down bought me a pipe and some tobacco and it finally came today. Going over your videos again to make sure I was doing everything correctly this evening. I had completely forgot how I should breathe. So came right back and sitting here with my pipe full of Independence Day from Missouri Meerschaum I started using this method and seems to be going very well. Just have to remind my self to go through the nose and not the mouth. Thank you again for sharing all of your knowledge and experience sir I so greatly appreciate it. Have a wonderful evenin and keepin on piping!
You're on track with this; one thing I'd mention - You're breathing primarily through your nose, but keeping the airway in the back of your throat open so that a small percentage of the draw is pulled through the pipe (mouth). The "pack", along with the limited air flow through the stem/shank will naturally restrict the draw so that you get about 85-90% air through your nose, and the remaining 10-15% via your pack. Exhale is governed by the same function. "breath smoking" and a loose pack, or "fold and stuff" for flake/broken flake, will allow more heat/moisture to vent through the top of the bowl, keeping the burn slightly cooler, which will keep the natural production (during combustion of tobacco) of volatile substances from becoming too dense for the tongue, thus reducing tongue bite. :-)
Do you inhale a bit of smoke during this process? I would think you'd want to cut off connection of the mouth with the throat using tongue to prevent smoke inhalation all the while breathing in through the nose and drawing with the tongue?.
My Friend, thank you. I’ve been a pipe smoker for 20+ years and have always wondered why I get tongue bite, and why I bang through a loaded pipe so quickly with the harsh burnt taste consuming my experience. Turns out that I’ve been smoking my pipes all these years like a cigar. I’ve been trying the breath technique for two days now, what a revelation!! Enjoying the full bodied taste and the relaxing experience. You just changed my world! Appreciate you. Phill B. In Colorado.
You Sir are undoubtedly one of the greatest mentors of the pipe smoking community. I have tried pipe smoking few years ago, but then shortly after this adventure ended, and my participation in this lovely hobby was suspended for around 6-7 years. A few weeks ago I have found my box of pipes and attempted to smoke a few bowl of some deliciously smelling English blends, only to constantly bump into my old friend: tongue bite. Needless to say I was not pleased. And then, a couple of days ago I have stumbled upon your channel, watched several of your videos, including this one and the follow up on the topic. Today I have loaded my beloved Stanwell billiard pipe with some Virginia No 1, set down on a bench outside and smoked it until the bottom with a smile on my face and only pure delicious taste in my mouth. In short: Thank you, the knowledge shared by you on this channel is priceless. I wish you happy piping for long years to come
Hey, I hope you're doing well and I pray this year is soo much kinder to you. Just a quick note to say you're breath method works just like you say. No tongue bite. Love your videos man, and as I learn and mature so to speak in my beloved hobby I make sure to tell any who are interested to look up your videos. Amazing stuff
This video literally opened up the pipe smoking hobby to me. For about six months I have been trying to keep my pipe lit but it seemed impossible. Finally, I came across this video and another one about the Frank Method of packing a pipe. The moment I combined the two, I was able to enjoy a pipe for 30 minutes without relighting. Thank you so much for your videos!
I watched this video after your misconceptions one, and THANK YOU! It took a few tries to get the rythem to not let my pipe extinguish, but once I had it the smoke was very enjoyable!
Dude... you’re my hero. Thanks for making these videos! I’ve been smoking a pipe for a few years now, and I constantly have tongue bite, gurgle, and clean my pipes all the time! This is GREAT information!
Watched this vid because pipes and Guitars channel recommended it. Wow. Only been smoking a pipe infrequently about a year and preferred cigars because of relighting and other issues with pipe smoking. But tried the breath method as you described out in the garden just now and only had to relight twice in half an hour! And that was only because the ember was buried under a heap of perfectly burned light grey ash. Also the technique itself is much more relaxing. Leave the pipe in your mouth put you hands in your nice warm pockets and gently build up a nice thick smoke in the mouth. I would go so far as to say this is the correct way to smoke a pipe and should be what any new piper is taught.
This must be the fourth time I watch that video. I aways get a little I haven't got the times before and improved my smoking method. Maybe I'm a slow learner in pipe smoking, but anyways, thanks Muttnchop Piper!
I am a new pipe smoker , my first few pipes were not an unforgettable experience but I did not give up, then I watched your video explaining the breath method and everything changed. I can finally enjoying it! Thank you so much! Love the channel. Greetings from France my friend!
As someone quite new to pipe smoking, this has been a total revelation and has completely transformed my smoking experience. It’s given me control over the heat generated in the bowl and consequently greatly reduced tongue bite 👍👍👍🤛😎😃 🙏. I’ve also found that moving away from the aromatics I started on, has almost eliminated tongue bite and allowed me to develop to the point where I can recognise the first symptoms of its development, before it’s too late. So when you do fancy a bowl of something aromatic, you have greater foundation and understanding, of the required respect you need to get the best out of them, without the misery. After many years of smoking some expensive cigars, I can say in all honesty that with a pipe, you can hit the same flavour notes, at a fraction of the cost, without the pretentious snobbery cigars attract. People around you will thank you too, because cigars stink no matter how much you paid for it, but a pipe can have people sniffing out the source of that majestic aroma. Joe public may also want to watch you smoke from afar. Adjusting their seating for a better view, as your chilled aura is wafted around. The gaze they bestow is a warm nostalgia and they may approach you quietly to tell you why. All this for the price of a Missouri corn cob country gentleman, some well chosen tobaccos and excellent guidance from this gentleman, the mutton chop piper. Thank you, I’m sooo glad I found your channel.
Thank you for this video. I tried smoking a pipe 30 years ago and hated it. Now I know I was doing it all wrong. This video completely transformed by pipe experience as I recently decided to try it again. This video taught me how to make pipe smoking so very enjoyable. Thank you Muttnchop Piper for all your videos. I have learned so much!
As a fellow muttonchop piper, thank you for your videos. I watched them years ago when you were airing these, and recently a I've been helping a friend learn the joys of piping. I sent him ym these videos and he says they've improved his experience greatly. If you're ever in Fort Worth, I'd love to invite you to our humble lounge for some rye and a few bowls.
I love this man’s videos. Returning to pipe smoking and I’ve devoured this man’s stuff and what difference he’s made to my knowledge and experience. Thanks for mutton!
Thank you very much for taking the time to create all of these introductory videos. I'm on day #2 of smoking tobacco pipes & I really enjoy your narration. I appreciate the level of detail that you shared & I respect your opinions/feedback. Your videos have helped me tremendously
Thank you so much for this video. I've only been smoking for a month or so and I kept getting some nasty tongue bite, was a terribly wet smoker and my pipe would get really hot but after watching this video a few days ago those issues have completely stopped. Keep up the great work.
Muttnchop Piper thank you SO much for sharing this. I bought my first pipe in the early 1980's and tried pipe smoking. I had no one to show me the correct way to smoke a pipe and just picked it up and started puffing away. Needless to say I suffered serious tongue bight and I couldn't keep the pipe lit. I found that every time I tried my pipe my mouth would be of fire for days afterwards. I eventually gave it up as a bad idea. I recently found my pipe while doing some spring cleaning and decided to give it a try again. I did a couple of RU-vid searches on How to smoke a pipe and came across your channel. Last night I packed my pipe as you showed and tried the breath method. I can't believe how well it works. This is the first time that I really enjoyed smoking my pipe and I have zero tongue bight. Thanks for your channel and all the great information and advice.
Fantastic video I’ve been smoking for 40+ years I’ve been doing it a little bit like that but now I’ve been practicing and it is changing everything for the better
I have to say thanks for the tip, this really works. I was so surprised when I started using the method this past weekend, it was easy to get the hang of the process. Thanks again.
Thank you so much for posting this! In conjunction with your other videos and Alan Kerslake's video, I have been trying to master this technique but for some reason it just hasn't been working for me however, this morning, something just 'clicked' and all of a sudden, away I went! It all just fell into place. Net result: the best bowl of tobacco and smoke I have had thus far!
Wanted to add my name to the list of new pipe-smokers you helped. This morning, I did my first restart of a bowl I left last night. Smoked it in my office and could barely smell it afterwards. More importantly, it was a legitimately awesome and relaxing experience.
David Bourke - once you have mastered it, try smoking your pipe using the breath method but never blow the smoke out of your mouth, just breathe in through your nose, and breathe out lightly through the mouth piece. I used to think smoking a pipe was like smoking a cigarette, but that is totally wrong, you will understand if you don’t already it’s more about tasting the tobacco and the relaxation it brings you, there is nothing like it in the world. 👍👍
SUBSCRIBED! I just can't thank you enough for sharing your knowledge with us! I don't really have anyone to teach me the proper ways of enjoying pipe tobacco and what not to do! Thank you friend!
I started doing this naturally, figuring it out on my own. Been meaning to watch this. Didn’t realize I’ve essentially been doing it for a month or so now.
I've been hearing about this method the last couple weeks, and put off watching the video. It turns out I've been "accidentally" doing this quite a lot naturally, while deep in thought (which is during most of my bowls lately...). They've definitely been great smokes! Now it's time to consciously pay attention to it for a while and get a cadence down where I can enjoy these deeper flavors. Good stuff.
Excellent! I have heard of the breathe method many other times over the past year but for some reason to get that I need to blow out again from the mouth. Now it's true I have a head injury so I miss a lot, but there's a way you did it that help me understand! You made a difference in my life wow that takes it to a whole new level! Before now I prefer a cigar over a pipe, however that made it a whole new game and it was much more enjoyable and fun! I'm looking forward to my next bowl tonight. Thank you!
I am new to pipe smoking and too have had troubles with toungebite, massively. As a cigarette smoker i guess ive learned some bad habits regarding draw force and cadence, and i am having a hard time "unlearning". Your videos have given me a lot - as is the case for many others i see - of great tips and i am slowly getting the hang of it. When i bought my first pipe, i rushed my choice as the shop was closing, and went for a very nice looking billard design that caught my eye (rusticated Stanwell 107). This was my first screwup as it is short, thinwalled and has a smaller bowl than average. So ofcourse i immediately got toungebite, clogs and a burning hot pipe that i couldnt keep lit if not costantly puffing - because i didnt know how to pack it correctly. Powering through the issues and taking in the advice ive found here, stuff is starting to iron out and i now have a better control and overall experience when smoking. So thanks for that. Ive started working on "the breath method" yesterday and damn this is tricky for me, nose breathing makes me inhale everything, not that it is a major issue as i am used to inhaling, but thinking that i shouldnt makes me stress the practice a bit, and i again end up with a pipe that is way too hot. At the same time i have a tounge that is next level hyperactive so keeping that in check also makes it even more difficult. Oh yeah.. and then there is the wetmouth issue.... I will get there eventually i hope, without ruining the pipe. I know i should probably just buy another pipe more suited for a beginner, i will sometime next week, but knowing myself i think i am just too stubborn to let my current one go on the "giveup". Any thoughts are most welcome. -Again, great, helpfull and informative content. Thank you.
I smoked my first bowl the other morning. I just realized that I smoked using this method kind of by accident. (Although I was really enjoying the flavor, I was surprised I didn't get tongue bite, so I thought I must've smoked "wrong".) I am looking up videos now to learn the "proper method," and I guess I got it "right" anyway. Rock on! Thanks for the tips on your channel!
I am new to the world of pipe smoking. I tried to smoke my pipe on my own. I did not have much success and was about to give up. Until I saw your videos. WOW! what a difference, it was a pleasurable experience right away. Thank you so much for teaching me!
Hey Muttonchop Piper, I am a brand new subscriber and a fairly new pipe smoker. I decided to subscribe after using your "Breathe Method" advice which has changed my smoking experience in ways words cannot fully describe. I can finally taste all of the flavor that I know the tobacco had, but was having trouble finding. Like you, I also no longer get a hot pipe. Thanks for all of the advice, I think I have made a big step towards fully enjoying my smoking experience now.
Thanks for this video and informational instruction Muttnchop. I still consider myself a somewhat new pipe smoker and had seen and read about the "breathe" method but really didn't know what it meant. Really glad I watched this. It has taken me a few days and half a dozen or so bowls to get the hang of this, but is seems to be coming rather naturally when I want. Wow, what a great thing. I feel like I am able to get every last drop of enjoyment and flavors out of the tobaccos I smoke. It has indeed kicked my pipe smoking enjoyment up a notch. It rather surprised me. Thanks again fella for the great info.
Thanks for making your channel. You did everything you set out to do. And helped me immensely on my wonderful journey when I first started and still today. I only hope that one day, I can do blend club fully, as right now, I'm in a difficult country for that. Happy piping! Just done enjoying some Comroy Cornish with a local Christmas beer. Very nice.
Your instruction videos are fabulous. I've recently come to pipe smoking as an homage to my late father - I found his old pipes when clearing the house, and your videos are adding so much to my enjoyment. How wrong I have been doing it all!! And, your accent is as relaxing as a nice bowl of fine Virginia. Cheers Big Man
Frank Discussion - That’s the goal, so often people start to smoke a pipe and get tongue bite that turns them off immediately, learning the proper way strait out of the gate makes for a positive experience. 👍👍👍
I chose to smoke a pipe years ago and never looked for additional information. To me, the concept was simple. I light the pipe to smoke the pipe. I had no idea that there were techniques to employ while smoking. This method changed my entire experience. I no longer get tongue bite. My bowl stays cool. I no longer need to relight. Above all else, I no longer deal with gurgle or spit back. The flavor has improved and the cons are now gone. Thank you.
I am brand new to pipe smoking and this method has enhanced the flavor of my tobacco a lot. I’ve also watched other videos and they have been very helpful. Thank you!
I just wanted to thank you for your outstanding videos. I'm brand new to pipesmoking, and I've gone from wasting a while box of matches on one bowl because I couldn't get it to stay lit, to being able to smoke a whole bowl while only using three matches. This is only in the span of one week. You have shown me the light!
First time with a pipe today. After watching 8 videos, including two others of yours, this video was the key! Now I kinda get it. Truth is, I ran out of cigarette papers, and remembered the pipe that a friend had given me a couple months back. I decided to give it a go. What a nice change from cigs. Thank you for your informative videos! A new adventure.
I have started smoking a pipe again after not doing so for 24 years. I had started smoking cigars and just fell out of pipe smoking over time. Now, I am smoking a pipe far more than cigars. I love the breath method. I was always a wet smoker with a hot bowl but no longer. It also prolongs the time of relaxation that comes with pipe smoking. I commonly get 1 to 1.5 hours of leisurely smoking time now. This has changed my pipe smoking experience by increasing the pure pleasure that comes from smoking a pipe.
I tried the breathe method once and couldn’t seem to get it. After watching this video, I am happy to say I got it. It has opened a whole new experience. I am tasting the flavors in the tobacco and am finally able able to keep the pipe cool. A night and day difference. Thank you for this lesson.
I was struggling with tongue bite, constant re-lights, and charred tasteless tobacco at the bottom of the bowl. With your advice on using this technique, I’ve had an infinitely better smoking experience! more taste, one re-light at the beginning, couple of tamp downs, and all the way smoke to the bottom of the bowl without tipping out any ash on the way. Fantastic, thank you 🙏
