Do You Smoke Clay Pipes?

sherlock · Oct 12, 2011

I have a couple of clay pipes that I really like. I smoke them for two reasons. First it is kind of nostalgic. I like to image the day when tobacco was brought to Elizabeth's court by Sir Walter Raleigh or a Stub like sailor walking the decks of a whaling ship. The other reason I like to smoke clay pipes is that they are great pipes to try new tobacco in and the smoke surprisingly well. They also need very little maintenance; I have had mine for 5 years and I have never cleaned it. There are some drawbacks of course, like they break easily when you drop them, but they aren't very expensive. I usually smoke mine when it's raining, it somehow seems appropriate.

nbpiper · Oct 12, 2011

I've been interested in getting one, but never heard anyone really talk about using one. Should probably just give into the PAD and get one on next order, as I do like the look of them. Question though, I have heard that the bowl can get hot, but what about the smoke? Does it also get hot, or does the clay/length help cool it down?

pstlpkr · Oct 12, 2011

Here is a pretty thread/article from many moons ago:

Archeologists in New York
Here is a copy/paste from the string:

Yes, we are members of an old and venerable fraternity.

Thanks Bob,

I love the history that one cannot find in text books.

The day to day inconveniences, struggles, prejudices and wider realities of life in our progenitor's past.

The implication that the "Colonies" were given 'seconds' and flawed merchandise is illuminating. Makes one contemplate the worlds unconscious perceptions of our nations place in the larger world at that time.

OR, is that all they could afford?

It depends on the context of the find, the social status of the owners. The article said the fragment were found in trash. What type of trash? Was this the contents from a fireplace? If so, were they discarded from a public house (a pub or restaurant) or a home, or a place of business. How did their former owners make their living? Were they aristocrats, restauranteurs, carpenters, tinkers... thieves...... slaves? Romanticizing here: If from a pub; were these pipe smokers discussing taxation by the crown, or Suzy Rotten Crotch's ankles over on Wall street over a pint of ale or porter? Were they Dutch, or English subjects? Did they smoke their pipes by candle light or oil lantern?

Damn... I love history.

sherlock · Oct 12, 2011

They length and clay does help cool the smoke down, but it depends on how hot you smoke. If you are a heavy puffer, like my self, you may have to puff a little more slowly than normal and I wouldn't hold the bowel for too long. With that said I have really never had a big problem with the heat of the smoke and clays smoke as well as any other pipe I have owned. : puffy

:

yohanan · Oct 12, 2011

No, I have not tried one yet, But sounds interesting.

sherlock · Oct 12, 2011

Thanks for the article Lawrence, I need the distraction from my homework, not that the forum isn't do a good enough job. :lol:

tedswearingen · Oct 12, 2011

Clay pipes can be a lot of fun. I've got a few very old pieces I like to smoke from occasionally. But if your mouth is already agitated, or raw in any way from having smoked a bowl too many, a clay pipe can be hell on the gums and tongue. Still, my favorite way to enjoy Stonehaven is in a clay (recommended to me by someone on some forum, somewhere) as the minerals in the material tend to impart a dry, earthy flavor to the smoke.

orko13 · Oct 12, 2011

no ı have never try yet

markw4mms · Oct 12, 2011

Never had a clay pipe, but might try one soon.

rigmedic1 · Oct 12, 2011

It's worth a go. I tried Blockade Runner in a clay just to get a feel for what the sailors smoked so long ago. Some blends taste better to me in a clay, when I don't care for them in a briar or meer. So I keep a few clays around for a change of pace.

pawpaw · Oct 12, 2011

i will be soon and i am looking forward to them

yohanan · Oct 12, 2011

If you wanted to try a clay, who would you recommned to buy a clay from.

sherlock · Oct 12, 2011

Here are a few places. I have one from Dawnmist and one from pipeshope, both are great.
http://www.pipeshoppe.com/ps_clay.php
http://www.pipesandcigars.com/claypipes.html
http://www.dawnmist.demon.co.uk/pipesale.htm

yohanan · Oct 12, 2011

Thank You Sherlock, The info is appreciated.

pawpaw · Oct 12, 2011

dang sherlock that was quick i just went looking for the dawnmist thread

http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/excellent-clay-pipe-from-dawnmist

yohanan · Oct 12, 2011

Thank you everyone for the information.

yoru · Oct 12, 2011

I have several clays, most of my new ones have gotten broken over the year or so since I bought them, but all my old pieces are in tact and will be my 'favourite' at some point again I am sure, just as they have been in the past.
My favourite clay piece in all cases though is the one using the old replaceable bowl style with a bamboo stem instead of a wood (usually cherry in my experience)

sherlock · Oct 12, 2011

Thanks for the link pawpaw, I figured there was another post somewhere. As a said before both Dawnmist and pipeshoppe make good clays. Personally I like the ornate designs of dawnmist.

jcsnaps · Oct 12, 2011

Yep, I smoke a clay from time to time and was just getting one out for our pipe club meeting tomorrow. I am doing a Sherlock thing, with the 221b tobaccos, a clay, a briar, and that ever popular but erroneous Calabash. Should be fun. No clay taste, and the coating is so you lips don't stick(burn) to the pipe, it is just a glazing.

jaybird · Oct 12, 2011

Does it have to be a certain type of clay?

Do You Smoke Clay Pipes?

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