Pipes are a vessel that has been used for many generations of smokers, dating back all the way to 2,000 B.C. Although somewhat dated nowadays, pipes are still a device used for those who want to enjoy smoking whether it be for cannabis, marijuana, or similar substances.
What is a Pipe?
A pipe or smoking pipe as it's often referred to us used to taste the smoke of a burning substance. Like cigars, they're a preferred choice for an older demographic perhaps due to the old-style taste and performance it delivers.
If you're looking to try out a pipe, you'll want to know what different types exist and what you might need alongside it to enjoy it to the fullest.
Different Types of Pipes
There are a number of different types of pipes to enjoy. Here are some of the most popular and common types of pipes.
Dry Herbs
Dry herbs like cannabis or tobacco are lit with a traditional lighter and the user inhales the smoke that's produced. These dry herb pipes are typically made from a variety of different materials, whether that's aluminum or brass, they also come in eye-catching designs.
Pipe Tobacco
A tobacco pipe is a device made to smoke tobacco. You'll likely find the largest selection when it comes to this pipe type. It's made up of a chamber for the tobacco and a thin stem, with a mouthpiece on the end for inhaling the smoke through.
Glass Hand Pipes
Glass pipes are a smoking tool for tobacco or dry herbs. They consist of the mouthpiece, the stem, and then a glass bowl into which the tobacco is loaded - much like a tobacco pipe.
PVC Pipes
Plastic tobacco pipes exist due to their cheap and cheerful cost. However, they're not very high in quality and don't do well to resist heat. You will probably experience a mix of plastic and tobacco or cannabis, which is not the preferred option for everyone.
Smoking Pipe Materials
Smoking pipe materials come in a variety of forms, whether you're wanting something as basic as plastic, to something a little more luxurious feeling.
Commonly, smoking pipe bowls are made out of briar wood, rose wood, corncob, or clay. Less common materials include oak and maple.
Size
The size of smoking pipes varies, with the bowl usually remaining the same in size. However, the stem could be anywhere from nine to eighteen inches long.
Quality
The quality of your smoking pipe is important to get the best experience out of the pipe. For example, a PVC pipe is going to underperform in comparison to a briar wood pipe.
Smoking Pipe Accessories
There are plenty of pipe accessories that you might want to purchase alongside your smoking pipe. From tobacco pipe stands to ashtrays and pipe lighters, there's plenty to choose from.
