I love the smell of pipe smoke. In my lifetime I smoked a few cigarettes as a teen to see what it was all about and I may have purchased a few boxes of cigars back in the day to experience it but I’m otherwise a lifelong non-smoker.
There is something about the smell of pipe smoke that intrigues me though…
Pipe smoking isn’t nearly as popular as it once was but you may be surprised to know that it does still exist even after a long and steady decline over many decades mostly due to health concerns over tobacco consumption.
The bowl of a smoking pipe that holds the tobacco is generally made from a wood such as briar, pear or cherry and the stem of the pipe tends to be made from vulcanized rubber or acrylic. An optional filter is typically made with charcoal, meerschaum or reusable metal.
A pipe consists of two main parts: The bowl which holds the tobacco and the stem of the pipe which includes the tip that is held in the mouth.
Let’s take a closer look at what wood smoking pipes are made of and other surprising aspects that you can choose from.
What are smoking pipe bowls made of?
Smoking pipes have traditionally been made from wood and more specifically from briar wood. This is the most common type of wood used to form the bowl of the pipe which is the round part at the end that holds the tobacco.
Briar is a popular option because it is a wood that has a high fire resistance and can thus withstand the heat from lit tobacco. It’s a dense and porous wood too which enables it to absorb moisture from tobacco to keep it dry. Briar is also known for visually having a pleasing look with a nice grain.
Briar also tends to have a neutral smell even when heated so it won’t mask the flavor of the tobacco which is preferred by many pipe smokers.
Pear is another wood that is used to make pipe bowls as it’s also very hard and dense and gives off a pleasant aroma when holding lit tobacco. It is far less common than briar and you will tend to find that the most expensive pipes are made with briar and not pear.
You may also find pipes made from other woods such as rosewood, cherry, olive, maple, mesquite, oak, and bogwood and also from corncob, meerschaum or clay.
What are smoking pipe stems made from?
The stem of smoking pipes are generally made with ebonite which is a form of hardened rubber. You may also hear it referred to as vulcanite or vulcanized rubber. A vulcanized pipe stem is one that has been heated to a very high temperature and then molded into shape.
It’s the preferred material for pipe stems due to its soft feeling and a smoker’s ability to slightly mold the shape of it in their mouth while holding the pipe with their teeth. Vulcanite is also known for its durability and tends to be black in color.
You will also see pipes that use acrylic for the stem. Also known as lucite or simply as plastic, these stems come in a wide variety of colors such as black, blue, green, yellow or mixed.
If you prefer to hold your pipe in your mouth with a softer feel, you’ll probably prefer vulcanite. If you don’t hold your pipe in your mouth and want a color choice, a pipe with an acrylic stem might be better for you.
Why do wooden pipes not burn when being smoked?
The preferred woods for pipes tend to be ones like briar and pear which have a high heat resistance. Other less common types of wood used for pipes include cherry, olive, maple, mesquite, oak, and bogwood.
When a pipe bowl is filled with tobacco and lit, a small film of ash or char develops each time the pipe is smoked. When you empty the pipe after smoking, a thin film remains that acts as a protective barrier from the heat of the lit tobacco.
So the fact that your pipe doesn’t catch fire when you’re smoking is a combination of choosing a highly temperature resistant wood for the pipe bowl along with the thin layer of ash that develops on the inside of the bowl over time as you smoke that acts as a protective barrier.
Can a wooden smoking pipe burn out?
A pipe can burn out which means a hole is burned right through the pipe but this typically won’t occur with a quality wood like briar. Your care and usage of the pipe also factor into this however.
One of the reasons that avid pipe smokers use multiple pipes is to alternate them and not smoke one particular pipe more than once or at most twice per day. Many smokers use the 24 hour rule where they only fill the bowl once per day and then don’t use the pipe again for 24 hours. That gives the pipe enough time to cool and recover before being used again.
A pipe burn out may also occur if the wood material used to build the pipe was deficient. When purchasing a new pipe visually inspect it for any noticeable signs of cracking or other damage.
What factors go into smoking pipe design?
Smoking pipes are made and sold according to a number of factors and criteria. Pipe smokers may thus have a selection of pipes that they own to use in rotation depending on the criteria and style of each pipe.
The common aspects of a pipe that you can choose from are as follows:
Bowl material: While a wide variety of materials are available, briar and pear wood tend to be the most common with briar being the preferred choice for most pipe smokers.
Shape: There are many pipe shapes to choose form but the straight (Billiard), apple and bent shapes are among the most common.
Finish: The finish of a pipe is typically either smooth or sandblasted. Smooth finishes were how all pipes were originally made until 1917 when the first sandblasted finish was introduced. This involves sanding the wood to better bring out the rings of the wood for a more detailed finish. You can also find pipes with rusticated and carved finishes.
Stem material: The stem of the pipe is typically made from vulcanized rubber (AKA ebonite or vulcanite) or acrylic (plastic).
Filter: Pipes can be used with or without a filter and it’s largely a personal preference. A pipe filter is used near the stem end and is replaced either every few smokes or daily when the filter is made from activated charcoal or meerschaum. You can also purchase reusable metal filters that can be washed and used again.
Weight: The total weight of most popular pipes range from 1 oz. – 1.5 oz (light), 1.5 oz. – 2.0 oz. (medium) and 2 oz. – 3 oz. (heavy). The average pipe will additionally hold 1 g – 3 g of tobacco.
Length: A common length of a smoking pipe is 5″ – 5.5″ from end to end.
Chamber diameter: The chamber diameter of a pipe bowl is commonly from 0.65″ – 0.75″ for a smaller one and 0.75″ – 0.80″ for a larger one which will enable you to hold more tobacco.
Chamber depth: A shallow chamber depth may be less than 1.3″ whereas a deeper chamber can be 1.4″ – 1.7″ which will enable you to hold more tobacco.
Where is pipe smoking still most prevalent?
Research
from the Office on Smoking and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that covers the period from 1965 – 1991 showed that pipe smoking in the US fell from 14.1% to 2.0% during this period. It noted that most smokers were men and by 1991, the average smoker was 45 years of age or older.
Research conducted in 2009-10 in the US by members of both the Office on Smoking and Health and National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion showed that 1.1% of US males smoke pipes. The research showed a further 1.5% of respondents smoked water pipes which were considered separate.
While pipe smoking has dwindled in the US, it can still be found in some Scandinavian countries and throughout Asia although in both cases the popularity has dwindled as well when compared to the past.
So in the US, pipe smoking for both tobacco and water pipes combined is rare and throughout the world it’s largely an activity from a bygone era when tobacco consumption hadn’t yet been fully understood in terms of the health concerns.
What manufacturers make the best wooden pipes for smoking?
Here’s a table highlighting some manufacturers of high-quality wooden smoking pipes, along with popular models, the types of wood used, and the design features and benefits of each:
High-Quality Wooden Smoking Pipe Manufacturers and Models
| Manufacturer | Popular Model | Wood Type | Design Features & Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peterson | Sherlock Holmes Baskerville | Briar | Classic shape with a rustic finish; Excellent heat resistance and durability. |
| Savinelli | Porto Cervo | Briar | Smooth finish and elegant, classic Italian design; Produces a cool and dry smoke. |
| Nording | Sailor | Briar | Unique, hand-carved designs; Open draws and minimal moisture build-up. |
| Vauen | Churchwarden | Briar | Extra-long stem for a cooler smoke; Elegant and timeless design. |
| Missouri Meerschaum | Missouri Pride | Corn Cob | Affordable and lightweight; Perfect for beginners and those on a budget. |
| Chacom | Atlas | Briar | Modern design with a distinctive rustication; Comfortable to hold and smoke. |
| Stanwell | Royal Guard | Briar | Beautiful Danish craftsmanship; Excellent draw and balance. |
| Rattray’s | Butcher Boy | Briar | Rustic, old-world design; Handcrafted in Scotland for authenticity. |
Pipe Manufacturer Benefits:
- Peterson: Known for durability and heat resistance due to high-quality briar wood. The rustic finish adds character.
- Savinelli: Offers an elegant Italian design with a smooth finish for a cool and dry smoking experience.
- Nording: Features unique, hand-carved designs, ensuring that each pipe is one-of-a-kind. Excellent airflow for a smooth draw.
- Vauen: Churchwarden models have an extra-long stem, providing a cooler smoke and an elegant, timeless design.
- Missouri Meerschaum: Known for affordability, lightweight nature, and the use of corn cob for a natural and pleasant smoking experience.
- Chacom: Modern designs with distinctive rustication for a comfortable and stylish smoking experience.
- Stanwell: Offers beautiful Danish craftsmanship, resulting in pipes with an excellent draw and balance.
- Rattray’s: Known for rustic, old-world designs. Each pipe is handcrafted in Scotland, ensuring authenticity and quality.
Remember that personal preference plays a significant role when choosing a smoking pipe. Factors such as the pipe’s shape, size, and the wood’s quality can impact your smoking experience. It’s essential to visit a tobacco shop and handle different pipes to find one that suits your taste and needs.