No one book can include within its covers all the facts about pipes and tobacco. An entire library would be required to deal with all the facets of pipe smoking. Although the contents of this book encompass a great deal of ground, they are by no means the last word on the subject. Both the new smoker and the veteran will often face baffling smoking problems and search in vain for their solution. In order to anticipate at least a few of these prob­lems, some of the most frequently asked questions are presented here, together with the answers.

Q. What is block meerschaum and how does it differ from any other type of meerschaum?

A. A block meerschaum is a pipe carved from a single natural block of pure meerschaum. Meerschaum, mined in Esker-sehr, Turkey, is a creamy white substance that has a dis­tinctive flavor all its own. Only the most careful hand craftsmanship can produce this beautiful "heirloom" pipe.

Q.  Is it possible to salvage tobacco that has gone stale?

A."Stale" tobacco is more often than not simply tobacco that has lost its moisture. It can usually be salvaged simply by adding moisture to it. You might try spraying it with an atomizer.

Q.   When a good pipe goes sour, does it have to be discarded?

A. Even the best of pipes may occasionally turn sour for some unexplained reason. To make a briar sweet-smoking again, first clean the pipe thoroughly as described in Chapter 6. Then plug the stem with a pipe cleaner, fill the bowl with a good pipe-cleaning fluid from your pipe dealer, and let the pipe stand overnight. Then remove the liquid cleaner, dry the pipe thoroughly and let it stand another twenty-four hours. Now break in the pipe again using mild tobacco.

Q.  Is there any way of replacing a broken pipe-stem?

A. Most large pipe shops will perform pipe repairs. They may obtain an exact replacement stem from the factory that orig­inally made the pipe, or they may use a new stem. In any event, the new stem will have to be carefully fitted to the original shank. The special tools and skilled workmanship re­quired to do this are available, but they may cost a few dol­lars. Unless the pipe is an unusually fine and treasured specimen, it may be cheaper to buy a new pipe. Meerschaum pipes are generally much more difficult to repair than briar pipes.

Q. Is it possible to mix exactly the same blend of tobacco, time after time, so as to obtain an unvarying flavor and aroma for many years?

A. It is possible to mix exactly the same blend time after time, but chances are the flavor and aroma will show subtle varia­tions with every mix. There are many reasons for this. The same type of tobacco grown in different regions will have different tastes. Weather conditions will also affect the to­bacco flavor from year to year. In order to produce an exact replica of a particular blend, the tobacco should be pur­chased from the same manufacturer and in the same cut. It should be carefully measured, mixed in exactly the same pro­portions, and at the same humidity. Also make sure that the age of the tobacco is approximately the same.

Q. Do all pipes necessarily burn the tongue, or is it somehow possible to avoid tongue-bite?

A. There are three main reasons why a pipe occasionally "bites" the tongue: (1) The pipe may not be clean. This is easily remedied by a thorough pipe-cleaning job; (2) You may be smoking too strong a tobacco. Ask your tobacconist for a slower-burning, milder blend; and (3) You may be smoking too rapidly. If so, learn to smoke slowly. Puff gently and pause between puffs.

Q. How can a smoker know when a pipe is made from real briar? Do the words "Imported Briar" stamped on the pipe have any meaning?

A. Unless one is an expert at distinguishing woods, no sure way exists of telling whether a pipe is real briar or not. The best guarantee is to obtain a pipe made by an established manu­facturer and to buy it from a reputable dealer. The words "Imported Briar" do not insure quality in a pipe. Almost all briar, good and bad, is imported from countries bordering the Mediterranean. If you want to be certain of pipe quality, let a reputable dealer or pipe expert advise you.

Q. Is any special equipment required to mix one's own tobacco blend?

A. The only equipment needed to mix your own blend is a mix­ing bowl—a large salad bowl will do very well. A set of weights and a balance are useful, but not absolutely neces­sary. Unless you are very finicky about the fine points of blending, you will find that measuring by volume will give perfectly satisfactory results.

Q.    What pipe shape gives the coolest smoke?

A.   Pipes with long stems will definitely smoke somewhat cooler than sort-stemmed shapes. However, almost all pipes of nor­mal length smoke about the same. Generally, the thicker the bowl walls, the cooler the smoke, since the thicker briar ab­sorbs more heat. Canadian shapes have an oval shank that radiates heat more rapidly than the heavier shank.

Q. How moist should tobacco be? Can excessive moisture harm the tobacco?

A. A simple test can tell you whether your tobacco has the prop­er moisture content. Grasp a handful of tobacco and press it together for a few seconds, in your fist. Then open your hand. If the tobacco falls out in flakes from your open palm, is it too dry. If it stays pressed in a tight, hard ball, it is too moist. But if the tobacco remains as loosely packed ball, it contains an ideal amount of moisture. Overly moist tobacco is more susceptible to tobacco mold and will not burn easily. Dry such tobacco simply by spreading it out on a table in a war dry room for a few hours.

Q. When a pipe with an uneven cake is completely reamed out, should it be broken in once more like a new pipe?

A. Since the pipe has already been broken in, it is not necessary to go through the breaking-in process again. Therefore, it would be superfluous to use sweetening agents on the reamed pipe. All you need do is to build up the cake by smoking slowly clear to the bottom of the bowl.

Q. What is the average life of a briar pipe? Does a pipe ever wear out?

A. The life of a good briar pipe depends entirely upon its owner. With correct care and reasonably slow smoking, it should last the owner's lifetime. This applies especially to a quality pipe whose bowl is free from flaws or cracks which might start burn-outs. Properly cured quality briar is an extremely durable material; it will never "wear out" in the sense that an article of clothing or an automobile "wears out." So-called "worn-out" pipes are usually made of improperly cured woods, have been smoked to death day in, day out, have never been cleaned, and have been knocked about carelessly by their owners. A quality briar pipe, properly cared for, will outlast its smoker.