How Shallow is too Shallow? (Chamber Depth)

[Johnny_Pipecleaner]

I've got my eye on a nice looking tomato shaped briar and the chamber is 22.5mm (0.89") deep by 19.5mm (0.77") wide.

Is that going to be problematic? I don't mind a shorter smoke time, but is the lack of depth going to cause me to miss out on any flavor, for example? Will it be incompatible with certain cuts of tobacco? Etc?

EDIT: Fixed Capitalization in Title - Bob

 

[olkofri]

Not at all. Shallow, wide chambers are said to be ideal shape for English blends, if that's your cup of tea.

I favour small bowls myself, as I have to keep my smoking sessions short.

Go for it.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

I have one pipe just like that made by Martin Cermak. Surprisingly it is a fantastic Virginia flake smoker.

 

[BROBS]

I have a few with similar dimensions and if they are any example they’re great smokers. ?

 

[olkofri]

I have one pipe just like that made by Martin Cermak. Surprisingly it is a fantastic Virginia flake smoker.

Do you fold and stuff or rub out? ?

 

[alaskanpiper]

Anything is better than nothing. I guess its up to the individual. I get hesitant below 1 inch, but I guess if you can keep an ember going for a few minutes then why not?

 

[Chasing Embers]

Anything below 1.75" is a deal breaker with me.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Do you fold and stuff or rub out? ?

Fold and stuff. I very rarely rub it flake.

 

[olkofri]

Anything below 1.75" is a deal breaker with me.

Here you go, Cap'n: .55" in diameter and .7" in depth: ?

 

[danimalia]

I generally prefer a longer smoke, so I probably won't get anything below 1.25" until I build up my arsenal a bit more, but I'd think that so long as you don't mind the shorter smoking duration, it shouldn't be a problem.

Here you go, Cap'n: .55" in diameter and .7" in depth: ?

Is that one of those Tattoo pipes?

 

[olkofri]

Is that one of those Tattoo pipes?

Nope. That's a Vauen Quixx, No. 7.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Here you go, Cap'n: .55" in diameter and .7" in depth: ?

View attachment 9010

What do you do with it, measure tobacco for a pipe?

 

[Chasing Embers]

@danimalia

My average pipes are around 2" deep.

 

[danimalia]

I've been getting 90 minute smokes out of my mediumish (~ 1.5" deep, .75" diameter) pipes lately, so 2" might be a bit too deep for me.

 

[workman]

I prefer mine at around 35-45 mms. Roughly 1.5-1.75 ". But I don't smoke english blends anymore.

 

[Chasing Embers]

But I don't smoke english blends anymore.

They're fine in any size pipe but I rarely smoke them now myself.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I would also take the chamber shape into consideration. Is it a cone, like a funnel tapering to the bottom, or is it like a U-shaped bottom with straight sides? If it is a cone, I would probably walk away. I like my cone shaped chambered pipes to be at twice the height as the width. If it is a U-Shaped chamber, I would probably snag it if I was drawn to it.

 

[Johnny_Pipecleaner]

I would also take the chamber shape into consideration. Is it a cone, like a funnel tapering to the bottom, or is it like a U-shaped bottom with straight sides? If it is a cone, I would probably walk away. I like my cone shaped chambered pipes to be at twice the height as the width. If it is a U-Shaped chamber, I would probably snag it if I was drawn to it.

Good thought. I'm not sure, as the site doesn't specify. It's a Scott's Pipe Burner, which I've been wanting to check out. I'm sure I could ask, but I'll probably just go ahead and pull the trigger since the price is nice.

 

[BROBS]

I just looked at them.. look fine to me!
Pretty cheap for a new pipe.

 

[Johnny_Pipecleaner]

I just looked at them.. look fine to me!
Pretty cheap for a new pipe.

Now that I've officially pulled the trigger, I can share the link. I really like the brown on the shank where it meets the stem.

I ended up contacting Scott's Pipes directly though and ordering through them. I went with a Prince instead of a Tomato. I figure it'll probably have a slightly deeper chamber, but no worries if it doesn't.