Assuming the same material, does pipe shape matter?
- Thread starter TheZaxx
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The drilling (wide vs narrow airway) is a big factor in how well the pipe smokes.
The chamber shape - tall (stack/chimney) or wide (pot) or the shape (conical or parallel walls) can be another factor.
The chamber shape - tall (stack/chimney) or wide (pot) or the shape (conical or parallel walls) can be another factor.
With a shank that short you may get a bit hotter smoke.
I still like pokers though. I've only had a Dagner cob, but enjoyed it a lot. I have no idea what happened to it. I need to get another.
The difference in temperature between a short shank/stem (nosewarmer) and a longer one (churchwarden) is imperceptible.
Bingo! The internals are where the action is. Also, the comfort and shaping of the stem, button, and slot make a difference. Still, it's 25% equipment and 75% technique.
Must be one of those things that seems like it should be true, but really isn't in practice.
Perceived temperature is subjective. NOT objective.
Examples:
# A person with a high fever (temp >39.5c) may be burning hot but complains of not being able to get warm and has the shivers and chills.
# A woman with post-menopausal flushing may have a flushed face, neck and chest and complains that her face is burning up, yet her temperature will be completely normal
The only objective measurement of temperature is with a thermometer.
Studies have shown only infinitesimal differences in measured temperature due to length of shank/stem
As others have said, proper drilling and dynamics are the main attributes of a good pipe.
But also preference is a big part.
Some people prefer full bent pipes for clenching the pipe while reading. Some prefer straight pipes because they say they put less pressure on their teeth. The size and weight are important to most pipers.
But I believe the shape is more of a preference than a technical thing.
I prefer straight Billiards over Pokers.
Why, just because I like the look more...period.
But also preference is a big part.
Some people prefer full bent pipes for clenching the pipe while reading. Some prefer straight pipes because they say they put less pressure on their teeth. The size and weight are important to most pipers.
But I believe the shape is more of a preference than a technical thing.
I prefer straight Billiards over Pokers.
Why, just because I like the look more...period.
I'll go out on a limb and say that I have found Pots to change the overall taste of tobacco. Others have said similar statements in the past as well.
I have a few opinions not sure how accurate they are, but I think the smoke temperature has more to do with the smoker that the length of the pipe.
Meerschaum is fun to watch color but has only a slight difference in the taste of the blend.
Cobs are good cheap working pipes
Briars are the best go to smokers
never had a clay so no opinion
Conical walls seem to let the tobacco burn better all the way to the bottom, than the straight walls.
wide pots make for longer smokes.
whether any of this is right or not I don't know but this is the way it works out for me
Meerschaum is fun to watch color but has only a slight difference in the taste of the blend.
Cobs are good cheap working pipes
Briars are the best go to smokers
never had a clay so no opinion
Conical walls seem to let the tobacco burn better all the way to the bottom, than the straight walls.
wide pots make for longer smokes.
whether any of this is right or not I don't know but this is the way it works out for me
I wonder if the reason for this widespread belief is actually based on the amount of smoke literally "in your face" making the person perceive the smoke as hotter or cooler? I can't imagine the smoke cooling much based on travelling a few more inches of pipe stem, unless you've got a water jacket wrapped around the stem (and if anybody tries this, please share the numbers!
). But I do notice a difference in how "close" the smoke is with pipes of longer or shorter stem length. Something to contemplate on the next bowl!
Given that briar is an organic material that grows in the wild with no consideration for pipe makers or smokers, I'm not sure you CAN assume the same material pipe to pipe
I have maybe a hundred old pipes made of ancient, oil cured, aged, unstained, unvarnished and unpainted Pre Algerian War of Independence Algerian briar.
Exactly like my cigars; the bigger the chamber and more tobacco the cooler the smoke.
There’s not a lot, of difference, and each pipe is a tiny bit different and each maker seems to have used a different oil cure.
Exactly like my cigars; the bigger the chamber and more tobacco the cooler the smoke.
There’s not a lot, of difference, and each pipe is a tiny bit different and each maker seems to have used a different oil cure.
Was trying to understand your example but you lost me when using Celsius.
If the shape is the only difference, that is if size, weight, wall thickness, bowl capacity, drilling, etc. are equivalent, then, no.
The pokers that I have, also have a slightly curved stem since I find that more comfortable.
Okay. The Pots, which are like a billiard table but shorter, don't work for me. It's a Shape I can't enjoy. The PoTs, which have very thick walls, do work for me.
If comfort is part of the experience, of course one Shape or another will have an impact on the experience.
The amount of surface area that is burning absolutely does impact the mix of tobaccos available to burn at any given time. Nominal, but real. I can tell the difference when smoking a blend in a large round point versus a small diameter churchwarden. My 400 certainly has a similar impact on overall taste if the blend as well. I should add that pipes that seem to smoke cooler rather than hotter impact the taste as does pipes that stay lit versus ones that need lots of relights or ones that collect condensation.