Pipes are not just for the bald, big-bellied, suspender-wearing money lenders, but you can get one too and look like a badass.
Smoking pipes have simple anatomy; a bowl (where you pack your herb), a stem (the smoke path), and a comfy mouthpiece (what you use to draw smoke).
The bigger the mouthpiece, the bigger the hits that you can take, and there’s a wide variety of smoking pipes.
When buying a smoking pipe, some of the factors to consider include the price, what it is made of, and the ease of cleaning.
If you are a novice, learn how to use pipes, start with small amounts of herb, and space your inhalations.
Common Types of Smoking Pipes
These are some of the common smoking pipes out there:
1. Glass Pipes
Glass pipes come in many shapes, sizes, and colors. They are also called smoking bowls considering that they are one solid piece with a non-removable bowl where the herb is packed. Cannabis users like glass pipes because they are easy to use, and are low heat conductors, unlike metal smoking pipes. Using a glass pipe you are bound to experience a richer flavor, and the flavor improves over time, unlike wooden or metal smoking pipes.
2. Spoon Pipes
Spoon pipes are also popular, and a spoon pipe is modeled after a spoon. It consists of a large bowl and a stem that grows progressively narrow toward the mouthpiece. Spoon pipes usually have carb holes to enable you to clear up residual smoke.
3. Steamroller Pipes
It’s very easy to use a steamroller pipe. You pack the bowl with herb, spark it, and draw the smoke via the round mouthpiece. Steamrollers are portable and deliver potent hits. They come in different sizes, shapes, and colors, and are easy to clean.
4. Dugout Pipes
These tiny smoking pipes are held in small containers. Dugout pipes are simple tubes and they consist of a bowl at one end and a mouthpiece at the other end. They are small and discreet and they don’t involve too much when it comes to cleaning.
5. One Hitter
A one hitter smoking pipe comprises a short tube with a bowl on one end and a mouthpiece on the other end. As the name suggests, their bowl only holds enough herb for just one massive hit. They also go by chillums, a name that refers to pipes with straight tubes.
6. Glass Blunts
They consist of a hollow tube that can be packed with herb and sparked. Make your herb fluffy and then crowd it in the hollow tube. Depending on the amount of herb packed, you may have to occasionally tap it to remove the ash.
7. Chillums
Chillums consist of a tube with a small bowl to one end and a mouthpiece on the other end. They are ideal for someone who likes taking little draws of smoke as opposed to eye-watering hits. Since the bowls are tiny, be careful when packing herb so you don’t clog them.
8. Metal Pipes
Some of the metals commonly used in making smoking pipes include brass, steel, and aluminum. Cannabis users love metal pipes because they are low-cost, and have different sizes and shapes. On the downside, they tend to grow hot a lot faster.
9. Wooden Pipes
Smoking pipes made of wood are durable, low-cost, and minimalist. They mostly appeal to people who value simplicity. The quality depends on the tree it was carved out of. Some of the best trees for making smoking pipes include Maple, White Oak, and Sapele.
10. Acrylic Pipes
Acrylic is a durable plastic-like material. Smoking pipes made out of acrylic are usually outfitted with metal and glass to prevent the combustion of the acrylic. But these pipes are affordable and long-lasting. These pipes can withstand some rough handling without showing no signs.
11. Ceramic Pipes
One of the amazing things about ceramic pipes is the number of designs and customizations available. Ceramic smoking pipes are also easy to use, and durable. These pipes don’t distort the flavor of your smoke.
12. Silicone Pipes
Silicone smoking pipes are flexible, handsome, and sleek. They are usually outfitted with glass and metal and are easy to use. Simply pack the bowl with herb and spark it. Silicone pipes appeal to most people also because they are easy to clean.
13. Stone Pipes
Stone pipes are beautiful and rustic, and they would also low-key act as a weapon. I mean, if a thug tries to snatch at your ish you just swat them with the smoking pipe. Considering how they are tastefully carved, stone pipes could also double up as art.
14. Stealth Pipes
Wouldn’t it be awesome to have a smoking pipe that doesn’t seem obvious at first glance? It may appear like a mini-saxophone, or a spark plug when it is just a smoking pipe. They mostly appeal to people who like being discreet.
15. Sherlock Pipes
They are named “Sherlock” in honor of Sherlock Holmes, the fictional private detective who had a taste for classic smoking pipes. The Sherlock pipes have a sophisticated design, a large bowl, and are typically used in social arrangements.
16. Cool Pipes
We all have our quirky proclivities. Whether you like small flashy objects or sophisticated gadgets there are smoking pipes fashioned into these items. You can get a smoking pipe that’s shaped like a crocodile, an avocado, a watermelon, etc.
There’s a huge variety of smoking pipes. Just do a little research before buying so that you get a pipe that suits you.