Reflection

  • Why Do I Have to Relight My Pipe All the Time?

    “I seem to always be relighting my pipe. Why is that?” In this video Pastor Padron addresses that question. Relighting will always be a part of pipe smoking, but there are things you can do to keep the need to relight at a minimum. As always, your comments are appreciated!

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  • How Long Does it Take to Light a Pipe?

    Just how long does it take to light a pipe? Is lighting a pipe a lot of work? It is not as much effort or time as you might think.

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  • Cigar Cutting 101

    Cigar Cutting 101

    In this video Pastor Padron gives a quick, simple tutorial on cigar cutting using a variety of common cutters.

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  • How to Pack (and Light) Your Pipe

    “Why can’t I keep my pipe lit?” That is one of the most common questions from new pipe smokers here at Twins Smoke Shop. When I watch how they do it, the problem more often than not, is that they are not packing the tobacco into the bowl hard enough. In this video, I show…

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  • How to Properly Prepare Twist Tobacco

    How to Properly Prepare Twist Tobacco I have talked to a lot of people who want to smoke twist or rope tobaccos like Gawith Hoggarth’s Black or Brown Irish X but get frustrated with keeping it lit. I have been learning that the problem is often in how it is being prepared. When it comes…

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  • Best of 2024

    Best of 2024

    Since 2019, when Not Just Blowing Smoke began, I have shared my thoughts on the best new cigars and tobaccos of the year. On the one hand, the last thing the cigar/pipe world needs is another list of the best of 2024. But I am not just blowing smoke when I confess that some of…

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  • The One Thing We All Have In Common Is…

    One of the things I have been learning is that everyone has problems. You have problems. I have problems. I don’t know anyone who does not have problems! If you are alive and breathing, you have a problem. If you don’t think you have a problem, your problem is worse than you realize! Something else…

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  • Faith & Fire: J.R.R. Tolkien

    Faith & Fire: J.R.R. Tolkien

    J.R.R. Tolkien, renowned for “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings,” is celebrated for his intricate world-building and rich storytelling, influenced by his Catholic faith. His love for pipe smoking emerged as a meditative practice, symbolizing comfort and reflection. These elements shaped his characters and narratives, creating profound connections with readers.

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  • Faith and Fire: The Prince of Preachers

    This is the inaugural post in my Faith and Fire series, which aims to explore the intersections of faith and cigar and pipe smoking in the history of the Church. My motivation for this series is threefold: Some of the most outspoken critics of my love for cigars and pipes are Christians of the Baptist…

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