experience with calabash
- Thread starter virg99
- Start date
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
Site Sponsors
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
I have a Kaywoodie that I smoke once in awhile (something that’s true of many of my pipes because I have a lot and it takes a good long while to go through a rotation). I would agree with the statement above about being a bit of a hassle to clean. For my pipe, cleaning the stem with the stinger is its own issue. Build up on the inside of the gourd hasn’t been a huge issue since I don’t smoke the pipe that often, but when you do clean it, it requires a day or two process. I level the pipe in a cobbled together cardboard cradle; I fill the gourd with Bulk Water Filter/Air Filter Refill Coconut Shell Granular Activated Carbon Charcoal by IPW Industries (activated charcoal has way more surface area than cotton balls). I make sure the level is at least .25" below the cork gasket. With an eyedropper, I drip denatured alcohol into the charcoal until the charcoal is saturated, and not touching the cork (you don’t want to damage the adhesive attaching the cork to the gourd). Then you wait for the alcohol to evaporate. This can take a day or two, perhaps longer to fully dry. The charcoal should absorb the gunk lining the gourd.
How hard is it to clean? How fragile is it?
They look cool and I always wanted one, but I always wondered about them.
I just want a paper towel through the gourd and some pipe cleaners through the stem. Works like a charm I usually smoke stronger tobacco's in my calabash.
How so?
Better flavor?
Easier to keep lit?
What are the primary advantages of calabash in your opinion?
A gourd calabash can be a cantankerous affair when it comes to maintenance, but it is indeed excellent for smoking powerful tobaccos, like Irish-style rope tobacco. Brown or Black XXX, for example.
I have one. It`s fun to smoke and I think the smoke is cooler than in my billiards.
If you will notice in the movie he pulls it out from his pocket. It also shows him putting it back into his pocket while it is still lit.
I love mine! The best smoker I have. What I like best about it is that it clears my beard so it's safer to smoke?
I have a couple of gourd calabash pipes and they are distinctly different for me that I think it's worthwile for any pipe smoker to have at least one. The draw is wonderful on mine, the smoke uniformly cool with various blends, and I think they're just plain cool looking.
The main drawbacks are - 1) the cleaning, care, and fragile nature of rhese pipes; and 2) most calabashes are enormous clonkers, so I prefer to track down smaller bowls.
Regarding cleaning the gourd, here's an anecdote. I have a very old BBB calabash with a fixed sterling silver rim cap and a meer liner placed under it. AFAIK the cap is not meant to be removed, and the calabash was never cleaned in its 100+ years. Smokes just the same as the much younger one I have.
The main drawbacks are - 1) the cleaning, care, and fragile nature of rhese pipes; and 2) most calabashes are enormous clonkers, so I prefer to track down smaller bowls.
Regarding cleaning the gourd, here's an anecdote. I have a very old BBB calabash with a fixed sterling silver rim cap and a meer liner placed under it. AFAIK the cap is not meant to be removed, and the calabash was never cleaned in its 100+ years. Smokes just the same as the much younger one I have.
This is what happens if the pipe he is smoking doesn't clear his beard...
Great for strong blends as the air chamber ameliorates the nic hit.
The smoke is generally cooler because of the air mixture.
Meer bowls are usually small chambered and that is often a plus with strong blends.
The calabashes with removable bowls are dead easy to clean.
Remove the bowl, pack a few cotton balls into the gourd, saturate with alcohol and leave for a few hours. Or a day or two depending on how much
has accumulated. Remove the cotton balls and repeat if necessary.Replace the bowl.
The vintage ones with fixed silver or gold rims are a slightly more difficult fix.
Remove the stem and carefully drip in alcohol into the gourd through the stem end. I use a syringe.
Pour out the alcohol after a few hours.
Be sure to allow lots of time for the gourd to dry before smoking.
Like churchwardens, they are best enjoyed while seated in a comfortable armchair.
A fireplace is optional
I've had mine for over 50 years though I only smoke it occasionally. They are big and clunky, but smoke wonderfully well. I smoke mine in the living room (like all of my pipes) and have a Decatur pipe rest specifically for a calabash which makes their fragility less of a concern
As to cleaning, I've never fussed much beyond an occasional wipe with a paper towel and the pipe cleaner I run through the stem after every pipe.
As to cleaning, I've never fussed much beyond an occasional wipe with a paper towel and the pipe cleaner I run through the stem after every pipe.
I own 5 (all with removable bowls) and I find them easy to clean and maintain. Wipe the gourd and bowl after every use and don't put the bowl back. Leave it off to dry the gourd out. Moisturise the cork occasionally and that's it.
Just like a briar pipe they do ghost. Both the gourd and meerschaum bowl will ghost. I dedicate mine to different blends. Straight Virginia, Vaper, VaBur etc.
They are a lot lighter than their size would suggest. The gourds are very light and the bowls (as long as they're made of quality block meerschaum) are very light, as well. My Baki calabash is heavy but that's because its got a solid silver covering over the bowl and there's silverwork on the stems.
I also own one that has a wooden body instead of a gourd. This makes it a lot heavier and I wouldn't recommend owning one. If you're gonna get one make sure it's a gourd calabash. The wooden one smokes fine but i'd always suggest a proper gourd calabash.
Just like a briar pipe they do ghost. Both the gourd and meerschaum bowl will ghost. I dedicate mine to different blends. Straight Virginia, Vaper, VaBur etc.
They are a lot lighter than their size would suggest. The gourds are very light and the bowls (as long as they're made of quality block meerschaum) are very light, as well. My Baki calabash is heavy but that's because its got a solid silver covering over the bowl and there's silverwork on the stems.
I also own one that has a wooden body instead of a gourd. This makes it a lot heavier and I wouldn't recommend owning one. If you're gonna get one make sure it's a gourd calabash. The wooden one smokes fine but i'd always suggest a proper gourd calabash.