A pipe is like an extension of you and your personality. You want to do everything in your power to make sure you’re taking care of it to increase its longevity. However, as humans we’re not perfect, and we make mistakes. Just remember, mistakes can ruin your pipe and leave you empty-handed. Pipe smoking is a hobby that requires patience and attention to detail. It’s important to make sure you’re taking detailed care of your pipe, because it’s an investment and should be treated as such.

Want to know 6 ways you’re ruining your pipe? Keep reading.

You’re Not Protecting Your Pipe

When you go out, and you bring your pipe with you, you have to make sure that it’s protected. Your back pocket isn’t a good place to store it either. You could end up sitting on it, or crushing it if you back into something. I would suggest a leather pipe roll to ensure its safety. If you don’t do this, you’re more likely to drop it, sit on it, or even lose it. A pipe is a like an extension of your arm, you want to keep it safe and protect it at all costs. I mean, you did invest a lot of money to purchase and use your pipe. Why not keep it concealed to increase the longevity?

Leaving Your Pipe in a Hot Car

You wouldn’t leave your dog or baby in a hot car, so why would you leave your pipe. Especially if you live somewhere where warm weather is intense, don’t leave your pipe in a hot car. Even if the temperature outside is not that hot, a car is a more confined space and tends to get hot quickly and easily.

Not Cleaning Your Pipe Regularly

We have a post on the importance of cleaning your pipe, but I’m going to refresh your memory. Just like we clean our cars and houses, pipes need to be cleaned too. They can build up char, residue, and even as unpleasant taste if we don’t clean them. If you didn’t wash your body every time you worked out, you would have some buildup on you too. The same goes for pipes. You don’t have to go through a deep cleaning ritual every time you smoke, however. All you need is 5 minutes and some liquor (for cleaning, not drinking) and you can do a quick maintenance clean that will leave your pipe puffing smoothly!

Chewing on the Stem

Are you a nervous chewer? Do you bite your nails or your straw? If so, you’re probably a stem-biter as well. Chewing on the stem of your pipe while smoking can flatten it, making it harder to puff. To solve this, manufacturers actually make rubber grips for the tip of your stem, so that when you chew, it doesn’t damage the tip.

Not Polishing Your Pipe

Wood, just like leather, needs to be conditioned in order to truly keep it looking new. Since pipes are made from wood, they need to be polished with a pipe polish in order to help them live longer. Pipes go through a lot of wear and tear in their lifetime. They can get nicks and scratches on them from daily use, and the oils on your hands can also break down the wood. Using a pipe polish as part of your cleaning ritual can ensure the longevity of your pipe, as well as keep it looking brand new! 

Not Replacing Your Filter

Your pipe may or may not need a filter. If it does, removing it and replacing it with a clean one is a sure way to keep your pipe puffing smoothly. A nasty filter can cause your tobacco to taste sour and reap an unpleasant taste, and you don’t want that.

Whether you’re a newbie pipe owner trying to make sure you keep your pipe looking new, or you’re a seasoned smoker who’s trying to rejuvenate an aged pipe, these tips will be super useful to you!

References

Holkins, C. (2015, June 11). Filtered of Unfiltered Pipes? Tobacco Pipes. Retrieved June 2, 2021, from https://www.tobaccopipes.com/blog/filtered-or-unfiltered-pipes/

Rather, J. (2021, April 13). 10 Ways to Ruin Your Tobacco Pipes. Tobacco Pipes. Retrieved June 2, 2021, from https://www.tobaccopipes.com/blog/10-ways-to-ruin-your-tobacco-pipes/