Lighter Full-sized Pipes

[briarfoxx]

2 oz or less is kind of the magic number for me. The length makes a big difference, the longer the pipe, the heavier it will feel. Think lever. The shaping of the stem is significant. Wide and thin with a decent button make it easier to clinch.

I’ve found this leverage point to be a big deal. Straight pipes that I thought weighed relatively light but were over 6 inches long I’ve had more trouble clenching than noticeably heavier pipes just over 5 inches.

For straight pipes, I find the ideal maximum combo (where you can find it) to be around 35 - 38g (1.23 - 1.34 ounces) and ~5.5 - 5.75 inches.

It can also matter where the weight is—a heavier bowl and lighter stem will pull downward more when clenched than a more balanced pipe of the same weight.

 

[bassbug]

The one brand you want to avoid at all costs is Lee, what with that super dense briar and all those gold stars

 

[Honkytonk Man]

I had a Peterson from the system line, Peterson Pipes: Deluxe System Sandblasted (5s) P-Lip - https://www.peterson.ie/pipes/system/deluxe-system-sandblasted/moreinfo.cfm?pd_product_Id=2520
It was one of the best clenchers I have had, in my limited pipe smoking experiences. I'm sorry I gave it away, if I'm honest.

 

[Casual]

I prefer a light straight pipe to the seriously bent kind, but they’re relatively hard to find. This 18g Castello has walls that border on too thin, but is otherwise excellent.



What I really want is a 1 oz straight billiard, a little short at 5.25”, but with normal thickness walls and a good .75” x 1.5” chamber. I think I may have to commission it. I’ve seen some Ashtons that fit the bill, but they go quickly.

 

[Honkytonk Man]

I prefer a light straight pipe to the seriously bent kind, but they’re relatively hard to find. This 18g Castello has walls that border on too thin, but is otherwise excellent.

View attachment 160326

What I really want is a 1 oz straight billiard, a little short at 5.25”, but with normal thickness walls and a good .75” x 1.5” chamber. I think I may have to commission it. I’ve seen some Ashtons that fit the bill, but they go quickly.

I'm liking that bottom Castello.

 

[Searock Fan]

For light weight you can't beat a meerschaum.... plus they smoke great.

 

[nolan613]

The other thing to look for besides weight is balance. A full bent pipe clenches differently than a straight pipe of the same weight. I enjoy clenching full bents, in particular those that can rest on your chin, but rarely clench straights. A good full bent will "disappear" when you clench it.

Exactly, for me even a heavier pipe in a full-bent is hardly noticeable.

 

[GreatWhiteNorthPiper]

I’ve found this leverage point to be a big deal. Straight pipes that I thought weighed relatively light but were over 6 inches long I’ve had more trouble clenching than noticeably heavier pipes just over 5 inches.

For straight pipes, I find the ideal maximum combo (where you can find it) to be around 35 - 38g (1.23 - 1.34 ounces) and ~5.5 - 5.75 inches.

It can also matter where the weight is—a heavier bowl and lighter stem will pull downward more when clenched than a more balanced pipe of the same weight.

Thank you for such a detailed answer. This will help me in my search!!!

 

[cigrmaster]

It took me years before I understood what pipes smoked my fakes and plugs the best. Almost all of my pipes are group 4-5 and weight 40-55 grams. I do have a couple of 60 gram group 6' s which I will half hold and half clench. My criteria is as follows and all my pipes are classic shapes.

5.00"-6.5 "" in length
Bowl height around 2.15"
Inside bowl depth around 1.50-1.75
Inside bowl width .75" to 13-16" and and I have a few 7/8"
Shank diameter 4.0-4.5MM.
Stem numbers I don't know the numbers but I do know when a stem made from high quality German vulcanite is made right.

It took me a good ten years to come up with this strict criteria and when I buy a pipe today, I never vary from my numbers. For me and my addled brain I surprise myself that I continue to remember these numbers.

 

[briarfoxx]

Thank you for such a detailed answer. This will help me in my search!!!

You’re welcome! And those are just the maximums I’ve found that work for me. The even lighter you can get than that the better.

 

[mso489]

One might think I'm on the take from the French pipe industry, but I do find that French pipes are often fairly light weight, and though their chambers can be on the small side of medium, their quality is usually beyond their price point. BC, Chacom, Genod, Ropp, etc., offer both good smoking characteristics and traditional design with a lot of style. And remember, with a modest size bowl, you can always prolong your smoke with flake, coin, plug and rope, which burn slower. I have a Genod and Chacom that actually have bowls a little above average for the size of the pipes, and that are pleasingly light weight.

 

[Searock Fan]

One might think I'm on the take from the French pipe industry, but I do find that French pipes are often fairly light weight, and though their chambers can be on the small side of medium, their quality is usually beyond their price point. BC, Chacom, Genod, Ropp, etc., offer both good smoking characteristics and traditional design with a lot of style. And remember, with a modest size bowl, you can always prolong your smoke with flake, coin, plug and rope, which burn slower. I have a Genod and Chacom that actually have bowls a little above average for the size of the pipes, and that are pleasingly light weight.

With all due respect...I would rather suck on the exhaust pipe of Jed Clampett's truck than put one of those French things in my mouth. Again... with all due respect.

 

[drrock]

Missouri Meerschaum Country Gentleman Bent.

Since you're only 6 months into your piping journey you might consider giving one of these a try as a budget-friendly answer to what you seek. Cobs are great smokers, can take lots of abuse, will last for years, & are low maintenance.

 

[AppalachianPipe92]

Like @cigrstated, it took me a while but I found the dimensions that worked best for me and went from there. I started commissioning with these numbers in mind and it was my best move yet. Sure I still buy pipes out of my favored dimensions, but don't smoke them as much as ones I commissioned.
Jason Patrick, for example, has made me a handful of pipes that I would consider full size but they are the lightest pipes I own. Its insane how light his pipes are.
Also shape and length have everything to do with it. Play around with it and when you find a pipe that fits just right, make note of its weight and dimensions and go from there.

 

[sparker69]

As a new pipe smoker (6 months now), I'm still trying a bunch of different blends and pipe brands. I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice as to good full-sized pipes that don't weigh very much. I find that I enjoy clenching but if I've got a heavier, full-sized pipe in my mouth, it can get tiring after a while. Thanks in advance!

The Brebbia 1960 series is pretty light weight - my 1005 Billard is 1.2oz (34.02g) and a good size.

 

[GreatWhiteNorthPiper]

The Brebbia 1960 series is pretty light weight - my 1005 Billard is 1.2oz (34.02g) and a good size.

Good to know! Thanks for this!

 

[StringBEan]

Missouri Meerschaum Country Gentleman Bent.

Since you're only 6 months into your piping journey you might consider giving one of these a try as a budget-friendly answer to what you seek. Cobs are great smokers, can take lots of abuse, will last for years, & are low maintenance.

I’ll second this recommendation. Even though not too many people agree, I’d go as far as to recommend a pear wood pipe. They’re not made of the ever-holy briar, but they are super lightweight for clenching, and they get the job done. Only drawback is they tend to smoke warmer for me than a briar of similar dimensions. I could honestly spend my life with nothing more than a few Missouri meerschaums and my two Brog pipes.

 

[sparker69]

The Brebbia 1960 series is pretty light weight - my 1005 Billard is 1.2oz (34.02g) and a good size.

And I didn't even think about it, but it's the one I'm smoking in my profile pic!