So this might seem like a little bit of an oddball question... Why don't pipes come in more colors? I understand that they are wood, and black and brown seem more traditional but it seems like small pops of color would be a little more popular. Is there a logical reason for this or are they just marketing towards the boring-old-man stereotype?
Thanks for your time.
Jimmy
Pipe smoking nowadays is a hard sell to the younger crowd and I don't believe that bright palettes would necessarily attract more people. My inner hipster tells me that some newbies are looking for that old world charm mixed with modern aesthetics which is a challenge to pin down without alienating an entire group. I actually started with pipes to get away from cigs so I gravitate more towards functional designs but I will still look for something I find aesthetically pleasing.
Occasionally there are makers that will challenge the norm, notably Vauen with some of their futurist or novelty offerings. Danish, French and Italian makers regularly create colorful pipes as I suppose they've already exhausted conventional designs and are looking to explore uncharted territory. At least I would think so since many of these companies have been in the business for over a century. Others are opting to take a more creative approach in hopes of carving a niche in the market.
There's also a fine line between tobacco pipes and glass pipes that most manufacturers want to steer clear of. Other than materials and sizing, the use of color is a typical way to distinguish between them.
