I have been smoking a pipe off and on for about 2 years now but i think im doing it wrong. Now that i know what is causing my tongue bite... my tobacco:/ and probably my technique.
It's a combination of basically three things. As you mentioned, tobacco and technique. Third is the pipe.
I struggled with the same problem for years. Folks seemed to be enjoying pipe smoking, but it was just a miserable experience for me. Then I discovered I'd been driving right past an Edwards Pipe Shop for years without knowing it. Going in there changed my whole attitude about pipes and they finally became enjoyable.
Tobacco - you really can't get a decent tobacco in a drug store. Too many preservatives and such to keep it "fresh" ruin the experience. That said, Captain Black is ok in a pinch if you are desperate. You really need to find a local tobacco shop or purchase mail order.
If there is an Edwards in your area, I'd recommend it. If not, many of them do mail order. They have a blend called Buccaneer that is very similar to Capt. Black.
Pipes - You're looking for something that absorbs the heat and moisture. Corncobs do a great job, but most people burn them out rather quickly....but they are inexpensive.
Clay is very good, but VERY fragile.
Meerschaum is also excellent, really takes off the heat and moisture and after time changes into some really attractive colors. Many of the carved ones are gorgeous. Only problem is they are more fragile than briar. Not really suitable for carrying around, but nice for that evening smoke. Pressed Meerschaum is much less fragile....thats what most of the bowls of calabash pipes are made from; not quite as good as pure Meerschaum, but still good. There is an African meerschaum that is not as fragile, but not quite as pretty, still a very good smoke. All the Meerschaums do very well at absorbing heat and moisture.
Briar is obviously the most popular. But you want one that hasn't been painted and lacquered to make it look pretty and cover up all the pits and flaws in the briar. All that coating just keeps the heat and moisture in and doesn't let the briar do its job. You want a natural briar pipe, that may be stained for color, but not the cheap way drug store pipes are. You're not going to find a decent one in a drug store, but I have very good smoking pipes that cost in the $20-30 range.
Technique - In general, most folks have trouble learning how to load and tamp the tobacco correctly. You want to load about 1/3 of the bowl, tamp that, then repeat until full. You want to tamp it firmly and consistently, but not so firm that its difficult to draw. Improper tamping is the major cause of tongue bite. Takes a little practice, but it quickly becomes second nature.
The other cause is smoking too fast. Excessive puffing really heats things up and also causes tongue bite. Cigarette smokers who are trying to move to pipes seem to have the most trouble with that.
Pipe smoking is NOT a good nervous habit.
