Filters

karaolos · Sun Mar 21, 2021 9:01 pm

Apologies if this has been discussed recently.

I think pipe filters tend to be a topic of debate with passionate advocates on both sides. I have the impression that most US and UK smokers don't use any filters, and that some if not most European smokers do.

I made my decision on filters very early on. My first pipe took a filter but I ended up not using one - maybe because I was getting moisture in the pipe from a bad aromatic and couldn't pass a pipe cleaner, I don't remember...

Recently I was having some tongue bite from a specific blend. It was all I had to smoke while my tobacco order was making its way to me. I can find 9mm filters locally and I have a couple of pipes that take them. So I gave it a shot...

My observations were that I lost maybe 15% in body/taste of the tobacco, but tongue bite was reduced considerably. At least I could enjoy a decent smoke with minimal tongue bite. A viable solution. So now I have more choices - the filter works on some occasions.

My questions for you:
When did you decide on filters? Would you reconsider? Why / why not?

Wildcat · Sun Mar 21, 2021 9:06 pm

Never really used them, maybe a handful of times years ago. Sometimes I think about using them and don't follow thru.

Jlando19 · Sun Mar 21, 2021 9:10 pm

I use them in all of the pipes I have that take them except my SavinelliTortuga.That one really seemed to build up moisture with the balsa wood filters it came with. No real rhyme or reason other than they help keep the stem a little cleaner. I haven't noticed a loss of taste in any of them.

arturo7 · Sun Mar 21, 2021 9:23 pm

I use them. My nic tolerance isn't what it used to be. The paper and charcoal filters work great.

Mr Beardsley · Sun Mar 21, 2021 9:25 pm

Tried them. Hated them. Binned them. Won't buy pipes that are bored for them. Other than that, they're OK I guess.

Lostdog5152 · Mon Mar 22, 2021 4:04 am

I don't use them myself. I tried them a few times. I also take the stinger out in pipes that have them. Anything that restricts airflow just gets in the way.

Mon Mar 22, 2021 4:59 am

I have tried them but don't care for them.

Mon Mar 22, 2021 6:02 am

I have a ton of them, but i don't use them except in cobs...sometimes.

Citizen B · Mon Mar 22, 2021 6:41 pm

Oh, don't apologize for bringing the topic up again. There are few things we like to discuss here more. Filters are a perennial topic and they haven't been brought up recently. You have perfect timing.

I'm a big filter fan. I love them. I use Medico filters for my drug store pipes. For my European pipes, I use Dr. Perl Jr. charcoal filters. For my Nording whatever-it-is-called pipe, I have those volcanic pipe stones.

A pipe doesn't NEED a filter but, if a pipe is outfitted to take a filter, I use a filter when I have one. I trust the guys who engineered the pipe to deliver the optimal smoke so I use it as intended. I'm the same way with metal pipes and with clays.

karaolos · Mon Mar 22, 2021 6:55 pm

Jlando19 wrote: ↑Sun Mar 21, 2021 9:10 pm I use them in all of the pipes I have that take them except my SavinelliTortuga.That one really seemed to build up moisture with the balsa wood filters it came with. No real rhyme or reason other than they help keep the stem a little cleaner. I haven't noticed a loss of taste in any of them.

When smoking the same blend in a filtered vs unfiltered pipe, have you noticed any other differences?

Citizen B wrote: ↑Mon Mar 22, 2021 6:41 pm Oh, don't apologize for bringing the topic up again. There are few things we like to discuss here more. Filters are a perennial topic and they haven't been brought up recently. You have perfect timing.

I'm a big filter fan. I love them. I use Medico filters for my drug store pipes. For my European pipes, I use Dr. Perl Jr. charcoal filters. For my Nording whatever-it-is-called pipe, I have those volcanic pipe stones.

A pipe doesn't NEED a filter but, if a pipe is outfitted to take a filter, I use a filter when I have one. I trust the guys who engineered the pipe to deliver the optimal smoke so I use it as intended. I'm the same way with metal pipes and with clays.

Timing is everything!

Dr. Perl Jr. charcoal is what I use as well for 9mm filters. Do you use the falcon rings inside the bottom of the bowl? I found that I was condensing moisture for some reason when using them...
Do you notice particular differences between filter systems / unfiltered?

If the filter is catching anything, there must be some differences in some sense.