Pipe Shapes/Styles I "Should" Try/Experience

[turtlehead]

Aside from what I find aesthetically pleasing to myself, are there certain pipe shapes that one should maybe try for a different smoking experience?

I'm not drawn to Church Warden's visually, but curious about the concept that others have mentioned they smoke cooler - but I've also had some say that it changes the flavor in a way they might not like.

 

[alaskanpiper]

I would stick with your aesthetic and/or comfort preferences. As long as it’s a well made pipe the shape matters much less than the aforementioned two things.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Chamber shape affects smoking and flavor for some but the overall shape of the pipe is purely aesthetic.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I'm not drawn to Church Warden's visually, but curious about the concept that others have mentioned they smoke

Were you to measure the temperature of the smoke it may be a fraction of a degree cooler in a churchwarden but the main impact on how a pipe smokes is the individual smoking it.

 

[OzPiper]

Buy what appeals to you.

There are some that find wide/shallower or tall/narrow chambers more suitable for certain blends.

I find that I pick which pipes to smoke based on their look or tactile quality rather than their "supposed" smoking quality.
My palate is not that discerning.

 

[anotherbob]

I'll put it this way there won't be any revelations outside of maybe trying some system or gimmick pipe. I find for instance that Falcons smoke noticeably different then other pipes. Otherwise none of those other things are likely to be game changers. As a fan of Churchwardens I can tell a difference but it makes no serious difference. Best part of them is I find something oddly more contemplative about the smoking posture with one. The thing that makes a bigger difference in how they smoke is that you pretty much have to handle it the whole time, which can help one be more contentious to their pacing and they're great for pointing at things.

 

[Morrison Jeremiah]

There's no advantage in smoking pipes of different shapes and styles.

But if it just happens that's what you want to do, then do it.

 

[DanWil84]

As a relative noob my opinion might not be very valid, but a pipeshape doesn't change tobacco for me. Materials do very much.

 

[FLDRD]

Aside from what I find aesthetically pleasing to myself, are there certain pipe shapes that one should maybe try for a different smoking experience?

I'm not drawn to Church Warden's visually, but curious about the concept that others have mentioned they smoke cooler - but I've also had some say that it changes the flavor in a way they might not like.

Being a curious fellow, I have many shapes and find that each pipe will handle a blend differently than another. Which I think is more a function of chamber shape & size. But I feel the many different ones I've tried have contributed positively to my learning.

Then of course there's the difference among the material of the pipe.

Beyond that, I have personally found that a dry system made a nice impression on me. I've much yet to experience in that area though, as I've only tried 2 brands & 2 shapes.

Churchwardens provide a nice change for me, primarily because of the additional relaxation I can have in my posture, and the laziness it facilitates.

And overall, for me, some of my pipes perform better when I'm active, or in the breeze outdoors, while others only cooperate their best when I'm docile and/or in a windless environment.

These reasons justify my different pipe shapes for me. At least for the time. I will eliminate the "extras" in the future.

As others have stated, in the end, the greatest influence on the pipe is YOU.

Cheers

 

[OldWill]

Over more than 50 years, I have acquired most every shape and material that you could name. I enjoy them all and eventually they all make appearances in my rotation.
My overall preferences lean toward cherrywoods and pokers when I have the time for a 2-3 hour contemplative smoke, but all have strong points and weak points.
I will echo the "buy what appeals to you" sentiment.

 

[highwindows]

I'm going to go against the prevailing sentiments a little here and suggest not two shapes but two dimensions of common shapes that everyone should try: wide and narrow bowls.
A wide bowl can be very rewarding when it comes to English mixtures or blends with many different types of leaf. The wide bowl size allows for a greater melding of the components in each puff.
On the other side of the spectrum, a tall, narrow bowl can be excellent for flakes. I don't know why - perhaps someone else can enlighten us here - but tall, narrower bowls work great with flakes of all varieties.
This is also why Tsuge has a line of pipes called 'The Tasting,' each of which is constructed specifically for a type of blend or cut.

 

[cigrmaster]

In my view every pipe smoker should own a Billiard, Dublin, Apple, Rhodesian, Bulldog and a Lovat almost forgot the Brandy. You may be asking why those particular shapes? Simple, they are my favorites and when a real artisan makes one, you know it. There is just something about the basics that makes me want them. I have no logical reason, just my particular tastes.

I don't do fish or whales or a plethora of other shapes. I like my pipes to look like a pipe and not some weird shape from a sci fi movie.

 

[DanWil84]

I'm going to go against the prevailing sentiments a little here and suggest not two shapes but two dimensions of common shapes that everyone should try: wide and narrow bowls.
A wide bowl can be very rewarding when it comes to English mixtures or blends with many different types of leaf. The wide bowl size allows for a greater melding of the components in each puff.
On the other side of the spectrum, a tall, narrow bowl can be excellent for flakes. I don't know why - perhaps someone else can enlighten us here - but tall, narrower bowls work great with flakes of all varieties.
This is also why Tsuge has a line of pipes called 'The Tasting,' each of which is constructed specifically for a type of blend or cut.

Though the question was about pipe shapes and a shape doesn't exclude any bowl dimensions (while for proportions it might seem interesting, a tall and narrow Prince shape is to be invented, but you catch my drift) I do also agree with this statement. I like ribbon cuts with 3 to 4 tobaccos in a deep and wide bowl, while I don't need a that large bowl when smoking a straight or 2 tobacco blend.

 

[Aomalley27]

There's no advantage in smoking pipes of different shapes and styles.

But if it just happens that's what you want to do, then do it.

I would disagree. If one is a heavy puffer; a gourd calabash will smoke exceedingly different than say a straight Dublin.
A church warden will smoke cooler than a cutty.

 

[TheIronMonkey]

I like @highwindows 's suggestion quite a bit. My experience with wide chambers is similar. I often look for .75"–1.00" wide chamber diameters with 1.00"+ depths for a nice long smoke. That said, many of my pipe choices have been based on aesthetics or uniqueness and/or a combo of chamber properties.

 

[Chasing Embers]

If one is a heavy puffer; a gourd calabash will smoke exceedingly different than say a straight Dublin.

At that point the smoker would be negating the function of the gourd and would be quickly forcing the smoke from the chamber to the mouth.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Buy and smoke what you like, you won't find that significant of a difference unless you're smoking from shapes that are extreme.

 

[Hillcrest]

I'm going to go against the prevailing sentiments a little here and suggest not two shapes but two dimensions of common shapes that everyone should try: wide and narrow bowls.
A wide bowl can be very rewarding when it comes to English mixtures or blends with many different types of leaf. The wide bowl size allows for a greater melding of the components in each puff.
On the other side of the spectrum, a tall, narrow bowl can be excellent for flakes. I don't know why - perhaps someone else can enlighten us here - but tall, narrower bowls work great with flakes of all varieties.
This is also why Tsuge has a line of pipes called 'The Tasting,' each of which is constructed specifically for a type of blend or cut.

Very informative to me, thank you. I find I do not like bowls wider than 20mm as the draw is to much for me. But then I have yet to try different types of tobacco. Thanks, ?

 

[warren]

A pipe attractive to the eye and a good fit in the fist is likely to be comfortable and perceived to be a better smoker than one that is "jarring" to the eye and uncomfortable to the fist. Go with what pleases your eye would be my advise. As the advice is free it's is worth what?

 

[cigrmaster]

Warren, when are we going to see your collection of Lee pipes. I heard tell you were buying 25 each a week. Don't deny us like that.