Thoughts on Giant Pipes

[Merton]

The SP post of today featuring a number of GGG Castello pipes (a group of very large 55's and 84 Hawkbills) led me to think about pipe preferences. The pipes, there were 15 originally and nine were gone by the time I saw the email, are undeniably beautiful and eye catching. A number of years ago my PAD would have immediately kicked in and I would likely not have been able to resist. However, my tastes have changed and I now prefer smaller, albeit not dainty, pipes. I have had a Castello GGG in the past. It was beautiful to look at but I found it uncomfortable to smoke so it rarely got used. I ended up trading it. The same thing happened with several very large Ardors which I had. I now want pipes to weigh in at 2.00 ounces maximum and, ideally, less. In this instance some of the pipes weigh between 4.50 oz and some top out over 7 ounces. Perhaps a function of getting older but I do like to clench and that is very obviously not going to happen with any of these beautiful pipes. So, what attracts you about very large pipes? Have your tastes changed over the years? Anyone gone in the opposite direction and abandoned smaller pipes for the siren call of Giants.

 

[Olkofri]

Not for me, I don't need a hunting horn.

 

[Grangerous]

Nothing attracts me to very large pipes. (That didn’t sound right) Bigger isn’t better.

Heavy to clench. Heavy to hold. The tobacco tastes as good in a (regular) pipe and a 45 min to an hour smoke is just fine. If it’s not, I’d prefer to reload a fresh tasting second bowl. I also hate wasting tobacco. If I tap out some dottle at smoke’s end, it shouldn’t fill the ash tray!

 

[Jwebb90]

Not a fan.

 

[sablebrush52]

It's the sort of thing that people think is cool until they have to use one. Then it's another case of marry in haste and repent at leisure.

 

[Waning Embers]

In this instance some of the pipes weigh between 4.50 oz and some top out over 7 ounces.

Try 9.5.



Most of my regular pipes are big.



Clenching them isn't an issue.

 

[bullet08]

Prefer Peterson XL pipes. Just enjoy leisurely long smoke on the front porch. No issue clenching 2.5+ oz pipes.

 

[anotherbob]

I miss my giant pipe actually. Was great for certain situations like sitting around a camp fire. Kind of like a small pipe all depends on what else is happening.

 

[Richmond B. Funkenhouser]

I'm out on big pipes. Most of my pipes are small, and I still get 45 minutes to an hour of smoking time. I guess I'm just not to a point in my journey where I see the need.

 

[alaskanpiper]

I like them, although do use them rarely. Mostly for special occasions, which for me, is nothing more than having the free time to actually finish a bowl that large.

 

[swampgrizzly]

I owned a new Boswell Jumbo pipe for 18 years. As time passed I found myself smoking it rather infrequently. It was a great smoker, just impossible to clinch for very long and impractical for my regular pipe smoking. I had cared for it well and was able to sell it for the same price I paid for it and the buyer was thrilled to get it! I have no regrets, don't miss it, and it was a fun experience that in the end didn't really cost me anything to try out.

 

[username]

I always wanted a mortti super magnum. But not enough to drop the cash on it.

 

[Olkofri]

...and impractical for my regular pipe smoking.

And I bet it didn't fit in your bear pipe-holder in your avatar there, eh? ?

Amazing sculpture, that one, by the way. ?

 

[daveinlax]

A group 6ish size pipe has always been my favorite size but I’ve been gravitating to larger pipes. I don’t smoke my smaller pipes much anymore. ?

 

[Waning Embers]

I always wanted a mortti super magnum. But not enough to drop the cash on it.

I'd love one of Boswell's!

 

[Olkofri]

I'd love one of Boswell's!

View attachment 54592

That's... just... obscene!

 

[Richmond B. Funkenhouser]

I'd love one of Boswell's!

View attachment 54592

Are they for smoking? Those stems look like crowbars.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I have a few large pipes, one of which is an Ardor, bent bulldog giant. It's among my favorites, especially for long walks. One of my fondest smoking memories is packing it with some GH&co Bright and Burley and just walking the wintertime beaches at Pensacola. Letting my feet chill in the waters, while I pondered the seagulls. Jonathan Livingston Seagulls... movie nights, curling up with a good book, hikes... I mostly enjoy smaller pipes, but variety is good, IMO. It's a whole different smoking experiences... but, aren't all smokes...

 

[Waning Embers]

That's... just... obscene!

I know, they should be bigger.

Are they for smoking? Those stems look like crowbars.

Yep, fully smokable. I thought the same thing, but was told by Boswell's that they have a regular customer for them and he commissions a couple of them every year and smokes them.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

I'm a clincher, large pipes aren't a good fit. I also primarily smoke flake which I believe smokes better in smaller diameter bowls. It's great though there is diversity in preferences. Makes it interesting.