thank you guys.. is there a website to compare most known pipes in one go. I need a light briar, large size bowl, below $100
if thats possible
A large bowl that's light in weight is somewhat contradictory but you can judge the feel of the pipe and I'd suggest that balance is as important as weight (or lack of it), especially if you hold the pipe in your teeth (clench).
Hold the stem between the middle (~ 2nd knuckle) of your index and middle fingers and let it '
bob' as if it were in your mouth to get an idea of balance. You can also examine the
shoulder of the pipe (viewing from the bottom) to see if the pipe is lopsided.
With less expensive pipes I'd further suggest that brand is less important than making sure that the pipe has good
technical cuts. The following points may not all be present in the pipe that you're considering but you want them to be as close as possible.
Run a pipe cleaner through the
lip (end of the
stem) into the bowl. There shouldn't be any interference. Keep the pipe cleaner in the pipe and look into the bowl. The pipe cleaner should enter flush to the bottom and in the middle of the
tobacco chamber. The hole where the pipe cleaner enters the bowl is the
draught hole and it shouldn't be below flush (critical) or much above the bottom (flush is best).
The tobacco chamber should be symmetrical and tapering to the bottom. Use the pipe cleaner to measure the depth of the bowl and compare that to the height of the outside of the bowl. The outside should be larger by 1/4" or more (but not a lot more if you seek lightweight). The bowl
walls should be symmetrical and about 1/4" or so in thickness.
Where the stem meets the shank is the
mortise joint and it should be flush and not allow light through when examining the pipe from the side. You may need to twist and press the stem into it's proper place to test.
You don't want sharp edges on the stem, especially at the lip or on the button. The stem should fit snugly, but not tightly, (and definitely not loosely) into the
shank. The
tenon (male part of the stem) should be as long as the mortise bore (the female part of the shank). If the mortise bore seems to be very deep then you're probably measuring into the draught bore.
If you're not experienced at
breaking down a pipe (taking it apart - separating the stem from the shank) then ask for help since this is the weakest part of the pipe. Google "
Parts of a smoking pipe" will help by putting an image to the parts that I refer to.
Good luck and I hope that you find yourself a nice pipe.
Regards,
Pete
