VA pipes with .80-.85" bores?

bigpond · Jul 28, 2015

I've gone through my pipes and found the majority have a bore somewhere between .70-.78", a few are quite narrow at .62 and the largest is .95. I have a dead spot in the 20-22mm zone and have long considered that to be "big pipe" territory. Somewhere along the way I've taken in that big pipes and va don't play well. But now I find myself wondering if that really is the case.
So I'm just curious if any of you folks have a favorite VA pipe that falls somewhere between 20-22mm or roughly .80-.85". If so, what style VA's have you found most complimentary, if any?

newbroom · Jul 28, 2015

As for Flake specific pipes, I think I recently re read the opinions of both G.L.Pease and Russ Oulette and they're at opposite ends. GL likes a large, and Russ a more narrow...

Seems most of the brothers (and there WERE some sisters) here are in Russ' camp.

The rather large Savinelli I got yesterday has a tapered bowl, about an inch wide at the top and almost 2.5 inches deep. I christened it with some vintage LA Flake and it burned almost to the very bottom with one relight.

I usually use a narrow bowl, and like to use one of my estate thin walled estate Beuschers.

I realized that even cobs deliver a more 'mature' flavor with age.

brass · Jul 28, 2015

To me, it doesn't have to be either/or nor does it have be better/worse. I smoke flakes in small pipes and large. The experience is just different. I would say in general, smoking flakes in a pot opens and broadens the flavors, making it easier to pick out the distinct flavors and notes. Smaller pipes produce a more refined, melded, integrated and focused smoke.
But I have certain pipes, specifically MM Freehands and Generals and a couple of briar billiards and pokers, that seem to bring the best out of any blend.

aldecaker · Jul 28, 2015

VA and VA/Per flakes always seem to go better in about a .70 x 1.25 for me. Anything larger and I get blend exhaustion anyway, just because it lasts so long.

cortezattic · Jul 28, 2015

I go along with brass: not better or worse, just different (and I usually smoke the larger bowls).

fishnbanjo · Jul 28, 2015

I tend to lean toward what aldecaker wrote, I gravitate towards .75"-.80" diameter and 1.25-"1.75" depth, I also like smaller bowls a lot since I rarely get the chance to finish a bowl in one outing and if I forget and pack another they tend to accumulate. If I have to smoke VA's or VA/Per's in a large diameter bowl I like it to have a shallow depth, my Eskimo made from Strawberrywood by Scottie Piersel is one such pipe, cheers.

banjo

cigrmaster · Jul 28, 2015

Almost all of my flake pipes are at .75-.82. I do have 3 pipes that are 7/8 and I smoke flakes like Astleys 109 and Wessex Brigade Campaign in them, as they smoke them very nicely in the larger bore.

rcstan · Jul 28, 2015

This is the pipe with the largest chamber in my rotation. I can load fully rubbed Hamborger Veermaster, and, if I pace myself, is a very nice smoke. Bites if pushed. As of late, I tend to gravitate towards mixtures ( RY, Elizabethan, 3yr Mature ) and learned they open up a bit more in this big guy.
Irish Flake and the such are better suited in narrower chambers for MY taste.....

elpfeife · Jul 29, 2015

I went on the SPC site a while back to pull the trigger on that pipe,RC, and it was gone. My disappointment is now allayed by seeing it is in your possession. It looks like it is a great pipe. Congratulations.

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VA pipes with .80-.85" bores?

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