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buck17

Starting to Get Obsessed
Feb 14, 2018
180
116
Anyone know the history of the Bulldog/Rhodesian shape? I am wondering why the beads around the bowl are a part of it. Was there ever a functional aspect or just an aesthetic element that’s persisted? Either way, just nabbed a Peterson Squire. My first pipe of theirs actually. About to enjoy it…
 
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smokeymo

Starting to Get Obsessed
Jun 1, 2020
173
482
AZ
The grooves could be used to create a "fin" to help with heat transfer. More surface area interacting with the ambient air around the pipe would keep the top of the bowl slightly cooler for more comfortable handling. The grooves would have to be significant to provide any relevant cooling though.

I'm not saying this is 100% why they are there, just thinking out loud.
 

Chasing Embers

Captain of the Black Frigate
Nov 12, 2014
43,248
108,347
A carver liked the aesthetics and ... by God ... they sold damned well.
I would say it was originally the appeal of something new. Likely lots of billiards around at the time and someone capitalized on innovation. It probably also benefited from newer carving tools and machinery becoming available.