1st post, hi. gonna make it a mega post, natch:
been lurking for a good while, and thought i'd throw my bit into this discussion, since i adore my VG. that, plus i really appreciated the info in this thread when i was first learning to use my sexy little handcarved ally (i've got the darkest one offered -- walnut, i believe; so handsome).
i have a little ritual i got into doing when i first got my VG. i light a beeswax candle, hit the lights, unwind a tangle of beeline hemp wick from the thick spool (i find the regular-width wick to be too thin for a good consistent flame) for that sitting (it does become like a meditation of sorts), make a nice little coil of wick to wind around my finger, and get to work.
at first i began with very little ganja in the bowl, but later i began to use full bowls and still am able to vape all the material with no problem. i actually tend to burn it more when there's less green to work with. p.s. the handcarved VGs have deeper bowls than the knobby ones, but i think you wouldn't necessarily need that, since you now need a lot less plant than with smoking.
a few things i've noticed:
= once you get the hang of not combusting and knowing how deep to let the flame dip to get a tasty hit, it's not so hard to try a whole budlet in your bowl, rather than grinding first (though i do both). if i don't feel like grinding, i can just vape one or two good pulls, open it up and crunch up the now slightly crispy intact bud really easily with my thumb or a guitar pick/other tool, releasing a whole lot more of the good vibrant green whirlygigs. then, it's vape, stir once more, last vape and we're cashed. amazing vapor and a bowl that lasts; by the time it's cashed (one bowl!), i'm feeling it a lot or less so, depending on the qualities of my current medicine. but either way, unless my pipe needs a cleanin', i'm well on my way to feeling it nicely.
= as others have mentioned, it's a kajillion times easier using beeline hemp wick (which i much prefer to the ital hemp wick sold on the VG site) to control the flame size. contrary to others' vapestylez, i do let the flame enter the bowl, and slightly smaller than an inch of flame does seem to be a good size for me. my boyfriend's experience echoes mine on this. as long as i pull long and slow, no apparent combustion takes place (i.e., the herb is now pale green to hay-colored and isn't a big char pit). i have to pay attention, though, not to let too much wick ash get into the heating bowl of the pipe or else it's time to clean 'er up again way too soon.
= not to get all woo-woo on you, but there's no way i'd use a lighter for my needs, b/c, personal quirks here, but a pipe seems like more of an earthy personal friend kind of affair, and that goes better with less distance between me and what i'm aiming to do. a flame directly in my hand that i kind of interact with is way cool. it's actually made this whole process much more of a contemplative and nuanced experience, which i appreciate, but it doesn't have to eat up much time if i don't have it to spare. then, another plus: there's no icky taste and flint issues w/ beeline's organic hemp and organic beeswax, rather than a funky plastic lighter with its liquid chemicals that i have to replace all the time. organic hemp, y'know. that's already what i'm up to. so...
= the only downside to using my VG is, when you've got a serious case of bronchitis after a cold, make sure you've got an alternate means of getting your daily dose(s) besides your VG, b/c i've been unable to vape at all lately without inviting more pulmonary misery (though i do have asthma as well). and i've had to scramble to make a tincture or some edibles to be able to take my medicine at all, or i've just gone without (which, as you know, suuuucks). meaning, other vaporizers may be more gentle, i'm thinking, if only for the physical distance that a whip supplies, etc. b/c a pipe is right there feeding you the heated vapor. i just don't gotz a different vaporizer i can use!
ok, there's my piece for now; hope it added to the general convo.
have fun with your VGs, folks (sounds dirty)!
;>)
also, p. p. s. i don't work in this industry or for any of these companies, nor do i know anyone who does; alas, this is but one (wistful) customer's thoughts at the moment...
