Questions Regarding Gourd Calabash Pipes

alaskanpiper · Jun 24, 2019

Distinguished pipe smokers of the internet tubes,
One shape I have not yet collected is a classic gourd calabash. In looking around, it seems there are some out there but they are pretty pricey, or else "unmarked". I realize many people seek these out for the novelty, the look, or the history associated with them. I buy pipes to smoke them. So my question is, is there anything particularly special about the gourd calabash? Do they smoke well, or are they just like any other meer? Or is it just sought out by collectors because it's funky as hell and/or incorrectly associated with a certain sleuth?
Any experiences/opinions shared would be much appreciated!
Thanks!
Frank

hauntedmyst · Jun 24, 2019

I personally didn't enjoy it. I've smoked a few and had a midsized one and they all smoked very cooly. Too cool for me. I found it really muted the flavor. They have a nostalgic quality which is great for them mantel but for me, I'll stick to briar.

Chasing Embers · Jun 24, 2019

The chambers are too tiny for my liking. All of that pipe and very little room for tobacco.

it really muted the flavor

They do until the gourd is saturated with oils from the smoke.

disinformatique · Jun 26, 2019

As with any other pipe, you gotta break it homie !! Also dont buy huge calabash pipes.
Cheers,

Chris :puffpipe:

madox07 · Jun 27, 2019

I have come across a few gourd calabash pipes in the past years, and I find your observation to be true - either quite pricey, or no name pipes of questionable quality. I may buy one only if I come across a bargain, and I would do it for the novelty. I doubt I would smoke such a shape on a regular basis - I just find it to be a shape that makes one look ridiculous, or at least I would say that I would laugh at myself in the mirror with that shape clenched in my mouth.

cortezattic · Jun 27, 2019

I had a large Pioneer gourd calabash -- an armchair-only pipe. I found the bowl chamber disappointingly shallow for a pipe you need to settle in with; and it wasn't particularly easy to pack a folded flake. I considered it a novelty pipe: good for channeling one's inner Sherlock Holmes, but not as satisfying other pipe designs. : puffy

:

PaulTheScandinavian · Jun 27, 2019

Calabash pipes smoke very cool&dry my experience with my Stranbach Vienna was that it required stronger tobacco,I'd guess blends containing latakia & orient leaf might suit best for these pipes,eventually I sold mine.

Civil War · Jun 27, 2019

I have a few gourd calabash pipes (old Kiko manufacture). I think they excel at English/Balkan types of tobaccos. The chamber cools off and dries out the smoke. You need to rest the pipe between smokes (i.e. let it dry out) so as not to saturate the gourd with moisture, which can cause the gourd to deteriorate (i.e. rot). Personal lesson learned.

Chasing Embers · Jun 27, 2019

I had a Pioneer years ago that fell out of use. Chamber not big enough and just not a practical pipe. Eventually trashed mine but they are a nice novelty pipe.

alaskanpiper · Jun 27, 2019

I just find it to be a shape that makes one look ridiculous

They certainly do have a Dr. Seuss-ish appearance to them. But it's fun to look a little ridiculous from time to time.

jpmcwjr · Jun 27, 2019

I doubt I would smoke such a shape on a regular basis - I just find it to be a shape that makes one look ridiculous, or at least I would say that I would laugh at myself in the mirror with that shape clenched in my mouth.

Agree, though I will be on the lookout for one at the right price. I have a few carved meers that I won't smoke in public for the same reasons. Some can pull it off, I reckon.

georged · Jun 27, 2019

Try getting a briar bowl made for a small-ish gourd calabash (those huge upright ones are reading chair only) and you'll never see the design the same way again.
I went from lukewarm on them --- nice to look at, but rarely smoked --- to the first thing I reach for when I want either a short smoke to start with, or feel like "just a little more" when my main bowl runs out.
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/andreas-bauer-gourd-calabash-wbriar-bowl

alaskanpiper · Jun 27, 2019

Try getting a briar bowl made for a small-ish gourd calabash

Interesting. I've seen some all briar ones, but had no idea this even existed.

georged · Jun 27, 2019

Interesting. I've seen some all briar ones, but had no idea this even existed.

It sort of doesn't... :lol:
No company I know of ever offered a briar option.
Anyone who makes pipes can spin you a bowl for one, though. The shape is straightforward, a small block is all that's needed, etc.
It wouldn't even be necessary to send them the "pipe half", just the meer cup/bowl. All the dimensions they'd need could be taken from it.

smudgersmissingleg · Jun 27, 2019

I have 5 calabashes of which 1 is a wooden body with a block meerschaum bowl, I would advise against getting one of these as they are heavy and don't have the benefit of the gourd body to absorb moisture.

The Strambachs are very large and have massé meerschaum bowls that are HUGE and can fit 3 whole rubbed out Gawith FVF flakes in them.

As others have said large calabashes do mute the flavours because of the cavernous gourd so strong tobaccos do best in these like Revor plug or the Gawith ropes. I'd say if you are going to get one (of whatever size) definitely go with a gourd body and a block meerschaum bowl.

Below are some pictures.
Chris
Wooden Calabash

Silver ferrule Strambach (9mm)

Strambach (9mm)

Northern Briars

Baki silver Edwardian style spigot twin tip

Baki small stem

Baki large stem

alaskanpiper · Jun 27, 2019

That is quite the bash brood. Thanks for the tips!

Questions Regarding Gourd Calabash Pipes

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