Every once in a while, I like to say something good about smaller-chambered pipes, though usually I weave these comments into other people's threads. Most of my pipes are medium sized Group 4'ish with chambers of appropriate size. And I certainly have a few biggies for long deliberative smokes, or extended intermittent smokes over a day or two. But for some purposes, a small pipe can be just what you need. Here's how:
If you simply want a short smoke to fit into a schedule; if you are in a situation where you want to sample a number of blends, you can even take several small pipes along. If you want to take the measure of a notoriously strong and/or high nic blend or single leaf, this is a way to stick your toe in the water without throwing up. if you need an especially small pipe to travel with, backpack or carry on, it's perfect.
In fact, if you want to keep the pipe small, but extend the smoke, you can get a standard length smoke in a small pipe by choosing cuts like flake, coin, plug, or rope. For some reason, these solid forms retain more moisture and burn somewhat longer than ribbon, shag, and other loose tobaccos, even after you rub them out. So you always have that flexibility if you are using only smaller pipes.
And of course, for clenching a pipe as you walk or work, a lighter weight small pipe can save your teeth and jaw and just be more comfortable.
Apparently Peterson has considered the small pipe market and launched its new "Junior Series" of pipes under an ounce in weight in a half dozen or so shapes. Rossi has carried a series of smaller pipes for some time, its Piccolo series. And Peterson itself used to have small canted billiards in their Belgique series.
So here's to small pipes, if you'd like to make a niche on your rack for one or two, they may earn their keep.
If you simply want a short smoke to fit into a schedule; if you are in a situation where you want to sample a number of blends, you can even take several small pipes along. If you want to take the measure of a notoriously strong and/or high nic blend or single leaf, this is a way to stick your toe in the water without throwing up. if you need an especially small pipe to travel with, backpack or carry on, it's perfect.
In fact, if you want to keep the pipe small, but extend the smoke, you can get a standard length smoke in a small pipe by choosing cuts like flake, coin, plug, or rope. For some reason, these solid forms retain more moisture and burn somewhat longer than ribbon, shag, and other loose tobaccos, even after you rub them out. So you always have that flexibility if you are using only smaller pipes.
And of course, for clenching a pipe as you walk or work, a lighter weight small pipe can save your teeth and jaw and just be more comfortable.
Apparently Peterson has considered the small pipe market and launched its new "Junior Series" of pipes under an ounce in weight in a half dozen or so shapes. Rossi has carried a series of smaller pipes for some time, its Piccolo series. And Peterson itself used to have small canted billiards in their Belgique series.
So here's to small pipes, if you'd like to make a niche on your rack for one or two, they may earn their keep.
