Filters...Love em' or leave em'.
PIPE FILTERS. Some say they alter the taste and enjoyment of the tobacco by blocking the flavors and needing to use a stronger draw. Perhaps.
Others like myself feel better knowing that a good amount of tar has been blocked from entering my mouth. This is quite evident when I look at a used filter and see how dark in color it has become after a bowl full of smoke has passed thru it. I prefer to always insert a fresh filter ( my favorite being the Brigham system ) in any of my pipes that take them and use them only once. ( the Brighams can be rinsed off in water and used many times more ). Falcon rings and balsa filters are only good for one time use.
There is an exception and that is with the Medico and Dr Grabow paper filters. I don't like them. Instead, I insert a 2 inch length of thick pipe cleaner in the stem which does a nice job of soaking up any moisture from "wet" blends and also a good amount of tar from the smoke.
I have tried every brand of 9mm charcoal filters and find the Stanwell brand to be less restrictive than all the others. I hardly notice them when in place.
Comments
I also don't own any Medicos or Dr. Grabows,or smoke goopy aromatics. Been there.done that, well over 40 years ago.
@KA9FFJ I don't think the EA Carey pipes can be smoked without the 'papyrate' inserted. Like @ghostsofpompeii
said if there isn't one in the system then you will not be able to get a good draw from the bowl; more air than smoke. I was skeptical at first but I bought an estate EA Carey and tried it and was pleased with how it smoked cool, even put it in my regular rotation.
I have a Falcon pipe that I sometimes use with some moist Aro's and I use the Falcon dry rings in the bottom:
They seem to work pretty good but I never reuse one more than 1 bowl full.
Also tried the Savinelli balsa wood filters in my Savinelli pipes but after a couple of bowls I find they tend to have an affect on the flavor of the tobacco. I normally use the converter with those pipes.
You wrote: <<I don't think the EA Carey pipes can be smoked without the 'papyrate' inserted.>>
If you cover the slots/airvents in the stem you can smoke a Carey without a papyrate, but why would anyone want to, except in an emergency (no papyrates handy). The papyrates are cheap and easy to obtain and employ. Some folks change them after every smoke; I change after the papyrate turns brown, but I'm known locally as a cheap bastard.
That's where I've purchased five of my seven Carey's. Just be a careful shopper. Read the descriptions; examine the photos; observe the seller's rating. Ask questions. I've had luck with both auctions and Buy-It-Nows. Not been burned so far.