How Effective Is The Reverse Calabash Design?

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tobefrank

Lifer
Jun 22, 2015
1,367
5,005
Australia
I see reverse calabash pipes from time to time and have always wondered how much of an improvement they make to the 'dryness' of the smoke. Is it 10%, 50%, 100%?

And how would they compare to normal calabash pipes?

Does anyone have any thoughts on this based on their experience?
 

Chasing Embers

Captain of the Black Frigate
Nov 12, 2014
43,248
108,346
I see reverse calabash pipes from time to time and have always wondered how much of an improvement they make to the 'dryness' of the smoke. Is it 10%, 50%, 100%?

And how would they compare to normal calabash pipes?

Does anyone have any thoughts on this based on their experience?
You're technique will improve dryness of the smoke more than a pipe will regardless of the design.
 

saltedplug

Lifer
Aug 20, 2013
5,194
5,097
I was a cretin when I smoked:
1. bowl geometry - I don't think so
2. microwaving tobacco -barbaric
3. flushing with water - pipe cleaners haven't failed yet
4. reverse calabash - the most remarkable thing was the failure of the Radice tenon. Reduced moisture -maybe.
 

Merton

Part of the Furniture Now
Jul 8, 2020
941
2,499
Boston, Massachusetts
I was very enthusiastic about them at first but it sort of wore off and now i don't think it makes much of a difference. It is not a gimmick and not a miracle, in the same way that a Canadian or a lumberman does not actually smoke cooler than a short pipe. I also found them a bit more difficult to keep fully clean. I still have a couple and traded others away.
 

tobefrank

Lifer
Jun 22, 2015
1,367
5,005
Australia
Thanks for your responses. Sounds like what I already suspected, that the reverse calabash may improve the smoke but not by much.

I may still pick one up at some point if the pipe shape itself looks attractive to me. I was looking at a Chacom apple shape that looked quite attractive regardless of the reverse calabash feature.
 

Chasing Embers

Captain of the Black Frigate
Nov 12, 2014
43,248
108,346
Thanks for your responses. Sounds like what I already suspected, that the reverse calabash may improve the smoke but not by much.

I may still pick one up at some point if the pipe shape itself looks attractive to me. I was looking at a Chacom apple shape that looked quite attractive regardless of the reverse calabash feature.
I really don't notice any difference with these but I really like the design.

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