Discontinued The Okin by D.M. Pipes

pakalolo

Toolbag v1.1 (candidate)
Staff member
Also it actually puzzles me that the same persons can be testers for several vapes at the same time, isn't there any conflict in doing that?

Clearly that's directed at me and stickstones, since we are both testing the Okin and the Zion. As far as I know Buzz and Stu aren't beta testing for anyone. I don't see where there could be be a conflict of interest. About the only point of similarity is that they are both made primarily of wood. There's no design overlap whatsoever.

So excited to hear what your thoughts are on this one, @pakalolo

I like to reserve comments about usage until I've had some time with a device. The Okin has a learning curve and it will take some exploring to find out what works for me and what doesn't. Every charcoal is different and just learning which ones work well could take a day or two, or six.

I can say that the packaging is delightful and a pleasure to hold. The Okin is as handsome as I expected, but smaller. A dry pull through it has an interesting and not unpleasant flavour, probably from the bamboo. The draw is fairly restricted. It's tip heavy but you can clamp it between your teeth if that's your style. I prefer to treat it more like a cigarette holder:

Hunter-S.-Thompson-2.jpg
 

Snappo

Caveat Emptor - "A Billion People Can Be Wrong!"
Accessory Maker
For those of us who have vaped fine pipe tobaccos like I do in my Solo, we are sure to have a very special treat with our Okins! If you haven't tried it yet, give it a go in whatever vape you have - you don't need to inhale (but you can if you like) ...just take good puffs and retro-hale through the nose - very nasal on the palette - AMAZING!!! Pack tight for concentrated flavor!!!Tastes nothing like a cigar, tobacco pipe, or cig. Instead it tastes like sweet roasted/toasted nuts, tobacco and spice - heavenly, and much much healthier than combusting & inhaling! This is why I look so forward to ordering at least 2 Okins! No auto shut-off, convection, pure bliss! Can't wait!!!

Pipe tobacco recommendations:
  • Peterson's Irish Flake
  • Solani Aged Burley Flake #656
  • Orlik Golden Slices
  • Davidoff Flake Medalions
  • Escudo Navy De Luxe
  • Hearth & Home Anniversary Kake
 
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Dan Morrison

Well-Known Member
Manufacturer
@Snappo , That "retro-hale through the nose" technique is my jam! Tastes so goood.

I made a rough tutorial on how to use the Okin, for the testers. This will be changed over time, and eventually end up on my website as a more polished version. But i figured it would be worth sharing as is, it'll give you a better idea of the whole preparation ritual.

http://imgur.com/a/fGjUQ
 

Snappo

Caveat Emptor - "A Billion People Can Be Wrong!"
Accessory Maker
@Snappo , That "retro-hale through the nose" technique is my jam! Tastes so goood.

I made a rough tutorial on how to use the Okin, for the testers. This will be changed over time, and eventually end up on my website as a more polished version. But i figured it would be worth sharing as is, it'll give you a better idea of the whole preparation ritual.

http://imgur.com/a/fGjUQ
Dan - if you have a chance, check out some of my pipe tobacco recommendations above, especially Hearth & Home Anniversary Kake (pack very tight) - the flavors you will get are AMAZING ...probably unlike anything you have ever experienced! Heavenly!!! Let us know:-) ENJOY!!!
 

Mister G

Deceptively Old Fart
@Snappo , That "retro-hale through the nose" technique is my jam! Tastes so goood.

I made a rough tutorial on how to use the Okin, for the testers. This will be changed over time, and eventually end up on my website as a more polished version. But i figured it would be worth sharing as is, it'll give you a better idea of the whole preparation ritual.

http://imgur.com/a/fGjUQ

These instructions are very well thought out and really helps satisfy Okin cravings for those of us not on the tester list. Thanks for sharing it Dan.

Developing a ritual for Okin use sounds like half the fun of the whole thing :cool:
 

Snappo

Caveat Emptor - "A Billion People Can Be Wrong!"
Accessory Maker
@Snappo , Thanks! I'll check them out!

Just curious, what sort of vapor production do you get with your solo? Are you able to constantly puff on it without heat loss or vapor diminishing?
Vapor production is EXCELLENT without the hassle or necessity of the usual pipe relights and ritual tamping. I set it at level 7 and forget it. When auto shut-off kicks in, I just crank it up to 7 again. After two or three re-sets, I reload for another load of heaven. Vapor diminishes as the baccy gets spent, but I get a very satisfying long session before reloading. Even the lighter vapor puffs towards the end are savory and satisfying. I'm favoring Ed's Tnt wood stems fully loaded/tightly packed - delicious!!!
 
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marduk

daydreamer
A dry pull through it has an interesting and not unpleasant flavour, probably from the bamboo. The draw is fairly restricted.

Fairly restricted draw? Isn't this the opposite of what it was supposed to be? Maybe I misunderstood or missed something...

Do you think changing the cloth screen would get rid of the restriction or do you think the metal bowl screen and the ID of the stem would still cause significant restriction?
 

Dan Morrison

Well-Known Member
Manufacturer
@Snappo , Sweet! Thanks for the info! And I'm ordering that tobacco you suggested, can't wait!

@marduk , It's probable that both I and Pak have different thresholds for what resistance feels like. I am used to the resistance of classic tobacco pipes. This is why it's so important for me to learn from these tests. I do believe that it would be possible to further lower resistance with a looser weave fabric filter, however.
 

Snappo

Caveat Emptor - "A Billion People Can Be Wrong!"
Accessory Maker
@Snappo , Sweet! Thanks for the info! And I'm ordering that tobacco you suggested, can't wait!

@marduk , It's probable that both I and Pak have different thresholds for what resistance feels like. I am used to the resistance of classic tobacco pipes. This is why it's so important for me to learn from these tests. I do believe that it would be possible to further lower resistance with a looser weave fabric filter, however.
Dan - another amazing thing about vaping these ultra-fine pipe tobaccos is that in a regular pipe one may not be able to distinguish all that much difference between them. BUT ...when vaping these same tobaccos, one immediately recognizes distinct significant differences in there strength, depth of flavor/s, and flavor profiles. NOTHING like smoking/combusting in a pipe - altogether different flavors -decadent aromas & delicious flavors! Perhaps now you know why I am so enthusiastic about a vape/pipe mod for the Okin, to include the stem w/bit, a higher load capacity bowl, and a larger/greater charcoal heat source that can make the magic happen! What say you? ;-)

Dan - Especially, order some Hearth & Home Anniversary Kake, Dunhill Elizabethan Mixture, and Davidoff Flake Medallions for your Okin. Please report back to us on your experience. I will be interested to know your impressions and flavor/aroma/strength descriptions! Pack VERY full & tight for maximum pleasure! PM me if you need a good internet source or additional tips.
 
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Dan Morrison

Well-Known Member
Manufacturer
@Snappo , HA! I just loaded up an Okin chamber with un-cut ribbons of tobacco, packed tightly into the chamber... wow! That was amazing. It seems as though I don't even know how to use my own creation, go figure, hahaha. This is definitely the way to go with tobacco.

I have been loosely packing cut up tobacco for a few months with really nice vapor production and flavour, but a tighter pack and larger ribbons of tobacco seemed to bring out even more flavours, and produce even thicker vapor.

Just goes to show how much more experimenting needs to happen with different chamber loading techniques. I'm going to modify my tutorial to reflect this.

And I COMPLETELY understand your excitement. Once you start vaping good quality pipe tobaccos, it's almost as if you're going into uncharted waters, and just want to tell everyone about it. I don't know why it's not more popular. When I try one of those e-cigs now, the flavour is so flat and one-dimensional.

It would make sense, since pipe tobacco producers have been perfecting their recipes for decades.

I can definitely see a vape/pipe mod in the future.
 

Snappo

Caveat Emptor - "A Billion People Can Be Wrong!"
Accessory Maker
@Snappo , HA! I just loaded up an Okin chamber with un-cut ribbons of tobacco, packed tightly into the chamber... wow! That was amazing. It seems as though I don't even know how to use my own creation, go figure, hahaha. This is definitely the way to go with tobacco.

I have been loosely packing cut up tobacco for a few months with really nice vapor production and flavour, but a tighter pack and larger ribbons of tobacco seemed to bring out even more flavours, and produce even thicker vapor.

Just goes to show how much more experimenting needs to happen with different chamber loading techniques. I'm going to modify my tutorial to reflect this.

And I COMPLETELY understand your excitement. Once you start vaping good quality pipe tobaccos, it's almost as if you're going into uncharted waters, and just want to tell everyone about it. I don't know why it's not more popular. When I try one of those e-cigs now, the flavour is so flat and one-dimensional.

It would make sense, since pipe tobacco producers have been perfecting their recipes for decades.

I can definitely see a vape/pipe mod in the future.
:tup:
 

theCerberus

Well-Known Member
The Okin looks really cool. Kinda like a portable BBQ I can roast my medicine in. And a seemingly convection effect.

I dont want to take this thread off topic but since Dan keeps bringing up tobacco I thought I'd mention there is a greater health benefit to vaping e-liquid than real tobacco as the problem is inherently with the plant and not the active ingredient nicotine.

Tobacco is radioactive. It gets radioactive material in its trichomes from the soil. And big tobacco could never figure out how to remove it. Because of this, even chewing tobacco is carcinogenic.
E-liquid is not radioactive as far as I know.

http://www.epa.gov/radiation/sources/tobacco.html

Food for thought.

I still think everyone should have the freedom to choose whatever substance they want to vape.
 
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pakalolo

Toolbag v1.1 (candidate)
Staff member
Fairly restricted draw? Isn't this the opposite of what it was supposed to be? Maybe I misunderstood or missed something...

Do you think changing the cloth screen would get rid of the restriction or do you think the metal bowl screen and the ID of the stem would still cause significant restriction?

The restriction is almost certainly due to the cloth filter, since drawing without the tip in place doesn't change it much. As Dan said, it's also subjective. Lately I've been using devices that are practically free-flow (Zion and FV) so the difference is probably more noticeable to me. It's not a big deal, since my motto is, "If it feels restricted, you're pulling too hard."
 

Dan Morrison

Well-Known Member
Manufacturer
@dingus , Thanks! The neptune symbol is actually my signature. It's on my drivers license and everything! I know it's kinda dumb, hahah.

@Dan Morrison will the cloth filter and thread be included with the okin? It maybe worth including one piece with each to illustrate the best type of material to be used and also so people can get to using it straight from the box on arrival.

I will be sending out each Okin with a fabric filter already tied to the stem, and a bundle of extras, as well as thread to tie them on.

@herbivore21 , Something very similar was actually posted near the first few pages in this thread! I didn't know about it till that post. That "steam pipe" there looks interesting, It seems like he's using a charcoal that fits right onto the end of the bamboo, which is pretty cool!

I believe that a couple people ordered one of the charcoal powered water-pipes that was posted, I wonder if they got them yet?!
 

pakalolo

Toolbag v1.1 (candidate)
Staff member
@Dan Morrison will the cloth filter and thread be included with the okin? It maybe worth including one piece with each to illustrate the best type of material to be used and also so people can get to using it straight from the box on arrival.

It's interesting that the filter topic has come up. it's a great example of why I like to reserve comments until I've had some time with a new vapourizer.

When I first tried the Okin, I was disappointed by how it performed. As I've said, the draw was fairly restricted. Worse, I couldn't get decent vapour at all until the charcoal was burnt down about two thirds. In discussion with Dan, he mentioned that the draw shouldn't be that restricted, so I suspected the cloth filter. I poked a couple of holes in it, and what do you know? A much freer draw and nice vapour right from the start!

I also noticed that the weave on my filter was a lot finer than the weave shown in the pictures I've seen, so I asked if the material was the same. Sure enough, there was a mix-up and my filter material was not standard. So I decided to switch mine for one I made myself from some 250 micron steel mesh. This can be cut easily with scissors and is flexible enough to tie on like the cloth filter. Here's what mine looks like now:

mSavOs0.jpg

This filter works extremely well. The flow is quite free and it can be cleaned with a Q-tip dipped in ISO. It should not need replacing for a long time.

I'm happy to tell you that when I showed this to Dan, he was quite interested and is investigating switching to a SS mesh filter. I'm not sure of the economics involved, so I can't say that the switch will happen, but if it doesn't it's something easily done in the field.

Using the Okin gives you an experience unlike any other vapourizer. People who like pipes and joints will love it. If you like preparation rituals, you'll enjoy preparing the Okin. Once it's going, it's as close as you can get to smoking without actually smoking. It's not for everyone but some people will fall madly in love.
 
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