@DavidR002 What type of filter, 9mm or 6mm balsa, or a 9mm carbon? Personally when I have used carbon filters, they seem to mute the tobacco’s flavors quite a bit. The Savinelli balsa filters don’t not mute the tobacco flavor as much. They can both collect a bit of moisture, but that may be because they interfere with the smoke path in the first place.
Never had a Savinelli pipe yet so I don't know how the pipe smokes with a filter. But i like the design of the Savinelli filter. Once I get my Matches 860 Friday Savinelli pipe I'll probably use the filter and see what I think. I'm sure smoking with a filter is probably the healthiest way to go. But I find them somewhat restricting in air flow, and really change the flavor of the pipe tobacco about mid-way through the first smoke. Trying to get three usages out of a filter is damn near impossible for me. What-ever I'm smoking taste like licking an ashtray.
@DavidR002 I have several Savinelli Pipes that use 6mm filters. For the most part, I agree, it makes little difference. I have a couple of Dr. Grabow Pipes that I use 6mm Balsa Filters with, and in those it does seem to make a difference (I have no idea why). I had a pipe converted to use a 6mm Balsa Filter, and it ruined the pipe, in that, it smoked really hot with the filter. To summarize, I think it depends on the pipe to a large extent. There may be other factors as well, blend being one. Experimentation and personal preferences may answer the question best. How's that for waffling?
Am I wrong to think they are less a filter, and more an absorbent? Don’t they get wet?
The Carey papyrates are more effective and efficient at absorbing moisture, incorporating evaporation with the condensation. Unfortunately, avaiable only with Carey pipes.
@motie2 My first impression was that filters acted more as an absorbent until I began using the activated charcoal filters. (Unfortunately I'm having a hard time finding the charcoal filters lately) But it seems they were more of a true filter, even though they would be moist after several smokes. Yet I tended to get a lot more decent smokes from a charcoal filter before the taste went all bitter on me like they do with regular paper filters.
Been smoking the Friday Savinelli Matches 860 pipe, almost exclusively, and even though the filter seems to be a unique design I don't like the fact that I have to draw more heavily. Don't like the restriction. So I've scrapped the filter and am back to smoking without one.
Don't know if it's a mental thing on my part but the flavor is not as intense with a filter. Love "Wild Hare" and it taste much better without the filter.
Comments
If you like smoking with the filter, do so. If you prefer without, do without. It’s more a matter of taste (and moisture trapping) than anything else.
What type of filter, 9mm or 6mm balsa, or a 9mm carbon?
Personally when I have used carbon filters, they seem to mute the tobacco’s flavors quite a bit. The Savinelli balsa filters don’t not mute the tobacco flavor as much. They can both collect a bit of moisture, but that may be because they interfere with the smoke path in the first place.
I have several Savinelli Pipes that use 6mm filters. For the most part, I agree, it makes little difference. I have a couple of Dr. Grabow Pipes that I use 6mm Balsa Filters with, and in those it does seem to make a difference (I have no idea why). I had a pipe converted to use a 6mm Balsa Filter, and it ruined the pipe, in that, it smoked really hot with the filter. To summarize, I think it depends on the pipe to a large extent. There may be other factors as well, blend being one. Experimentation and personal preferences may answer the question best. How's that for waffling?
The Carey papyrates are more effective and efficient at absorbing moisture, incorporating evaporation with the condensation. Unfortunately, avaiable only with Carey pipes.
Pipe Cleaners and Filters
https://www.thepipenook.com/store/c34/accessories/filters-and-pipe-cleaners