When to Use Pipe Filters？

EDIT: Fixed Capitalization in Title (See Rule 9) - Bob

I have pipes that take 9mm, I have Balsa (Savinelli) pipes, and I also have filterless pipes.

Here's my take:

The 9mm filter: It does take away some of the flavor in the smoke, but it also does provide a much cooler and more dry smoke. The flavour will taste more 'bland' with a 9mm filter. If you are a noob, you will not even notice the difference. Experienced pipe smokers will.

Balsa: I wouldn't even call these filters. They are basically just moisture traps. They do not alter the smoke taste, but they prevent gurgling and moisture build up within the pipe. They are really only good for one smoke. If you try to smoke two bowls with the same filter, the pipe will gurgle. They also smell rancid.

Filterless: Highest flavour, highest difficulty. However, ease of access and abundance of pipe options come into play. I don't want to shit on anyone, but most experienced pipe smokers prefer filterless (myself included). This provides a huge range of options for aesthetics, shapes, sizes and brands. Also, naturally, if you don't have to buy filters ($0.10/smoke) then filterless is a cheaper long term option. I have avoided filters big time. I really don't like them and have been really negatively disposed towards putting another thing into my smoke.

Recently however I have been have been experimenting with Balsa filters to help in taming some blends. In some cases I regret to admit that I really like the effect of what I perceive to be a slightly cooler and dryer smoke.

It has taken me a while to admit it, but I think as I am a bit of a wet smoker anyhow, it really has helped me enjoy smoking more. So the .10 cents a smoke is worth it, though I have read of some people making their own out of a sheet of Balsa for much less.

So some pros and cons from my point of view...

Pro: Potentially dryer and cooler smoke - for tongue bite/burn people, this might be a help.

Con: More cost, another component to carry (albeit really small) and may alter the taste.

I am very pleased with my experiments with Balsa filters so far and suspect I will be sticking with them in the short term. I smoke a bowl a day, maybe two on weekends, and I mostly don't use filters, but either filterless pipes or adaptors or filter pipes without adaptors mostly. However, I use filters on occasion, though sometimes I have to look around to locate them. I think they are good for pipe shows or pipe clubs where you may be sampling blends and end up smoking more than usual. Also, for getting a milder take on a strong tobacco, just because that's what you'd like at the moment, or in sampling heavy duty leaf before you smoke it neat. Europeans have take the 9 mm totally to heart, it seems, and it would be interesting to know if, in the process, they have increased the number of bowls they smoke to compensate. With some milder blends, a filter pretty much eliminates flavor for me. I smoke a 9mm charcoal filter about 80% of the time and I find the whole less flavour thing to be untrue. I can smoke moister tobacco in a 9mm and (to me) moister tobacco has more flavour. A 9mm also knocks off the rough edges in the same way a filter on a cigarette does (again just my experience.)
The whole open draw thing I don't really notice, I get about the same from both filtered & unfiltered. Obviously you cant pass a pipe cleaner halfway through a bowl as the filter is in the way but using a 9mm I've never felt the need to anyway.
Tongue bite I definitely notice more in an unfiltered pipe and especially so if there's red Virginia in the blend. As for 9mm's not really doing anything to clean the smoke all I can think is that carbon is well known for its filtering properties and every used 9mm is wet and full of gunk. To me it would be the same as saying a filter on a cigarette does nothing when I only have to look at a used one to see it does.
As with most things in smoking you need to try it and make your own mind up.

bogfire

Might Stick Around

Apr 9,

62

59

• Apr 11,

• #1

I have always just used my pipe and tobacco? What does a pipe screen do? Also, can I smoke a filtered pipe without a filter?

derhammer

Part of the Furniture Now

Sep 7,

666

485

New Zealand

• Apr 11,

• #2

Screens are supposed to prevent ash finding its way to the mouth. I never really care for it and the smoking has been rather fine. The same thing with filter/stinger, tossed it, even for pipes which came with one. I guess none of these is essential really if I control the smoking. Just take little sips and smoke real sloooooooow.

jazz

Part of the Furniture Now

Feb 17,

813

65

UK

• Apr 11,

• #3

Also, can I smoke a filtered pipe without a filter?

Yes, and many, such as Savinelli come with adapters for just for this purpose.

jpmcwjr

Lifer

May 12,

26,265

29,159

Carmel Valley, CA

• Apr 11,

• #4

Unless you tend to load tobacco fines or dust first into the bowl, screens are just an annoyance.

bogfire

Might Stick Around

Apr 9,

62

59

• Apr 11,

• #5

Thank you all for your information. I will continue to smoke the way I always have. Really enjoying the ability to communicate with other pipe smokers.

64alex

Part of the Furniture Now

May 10,

639

477

• Apr 12,

• #6

The real reason to use screens is to create a little bit of air pocket below the tobacco to optimize the burning.

And the reason to use filters is to absorbe humidity giving a drier smoke.

Sometime I use a screen and I always use filters with cobs, it is not necessary but they can help with regard to these two factors.