Over here, in The Netherlands, the clay pipe has a long tradition. Most famous is the so called Goudse Lakpunt:
Although there are a few Dutch pipesmokers who still enjoy a clay on a regular basis, they're mostly used in pipe smoking contests as seen in the picture: who can keep 3 grams of tobacco lit for the longest time. You get two matches, for the one and only attempt you have to light up. The tobacco used is called 'baai', a very fine cut. This type of tobacco is consired to be the best choice for these long clays, which still tend to smoke very hot.
Although there are a few Dutch pipesmokers who still enjoy a clay on a regular basis, they're mostly used in pipe smoking contests as seen in the picture: who can keep 3 grams of tobacco lit for the longest time. You get two matches, for the one and only attempt you have to light up. The tobacco used is called 'baai', a very fine cut. This type of tobacco is consired to be the best choice for these long clays, which still tend to smoke very hot.