Pipes Shapes
- Thread starter ithelouniverse
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I don't think that there any rules at all on what can/should be smoked in particular pipes. However, "I" prefer certain chamber shapes for specific tobaccos. The outside shape is for pure aesthetics in my opinion.
For myself, I prefer a tall stacked chamber and dublins for my Va and VaPer blends, because I like the way they stove in the pipe giving me a change in taste as the bowl progresses, and pots and larger chambers for mixes, and small chambers for my darker, stronger blends.
For myself, I prefer a tall stacked chamber and dublins for my Va and VaPer blends, because I like the way they stove in the pipe giving me a change in taste as the bowl progresses, and pots and larger chambers for mixes, and small chambers for my darker, stronger blends.
In a word, no, not exactly. I've heard it said (or read it) that a broad bowl will set off a complex blend
better, and I think that is especially true if the pieces of tobacco are not of strictly uniform size. Some
say a smaller bowl sets off Virginia blends better. And smaller pipes are sometimes better for stronger
tobacco, at least getting to know the tobacco. A straight billiard seems to call out for English blends, but
I think that is an emotional and aesthetic response. Probably any one pipe person can match up their own
pipes with particular blends and find them better, but I don't think generalizing about shapes and specific
blends is useful. But I'm open to all theories and opinions to the contrary. I'd like to hear about shape/blend
pairings that work.
better, and I think that is especially true if the pieces of tobacco are not of strictly uniform size. Some
say a smaller bowl sets off Virginia blends better. And smaller pipes are sometimes better for stronger
tobacco, at least getting to know the tobacco. A straight billiard seems to call out for English blends, but
I think that is an emotional and aesthetic response. Probably any one pipe person can match up their own
pipes with particular blends and find them better, but I don't think generalizing about shapes and specific
blends is useful. But I'm open to all theories and opinions to the contrary. I'd like to hear about shape/blend
pairings that work.
When it comes to shapes, I feel that it's all in the aesthetics.
When I am looking to buy a pipe, the first think I look for is its presence and shape. The last thing I think about doing is what kind of tobacco I'm going to smoke in it.
My motto: By what looks good to you, and smoke what you want in it haha.
When I am looking to buy a pipe, the first think I look for is its presence and shape. The last thing I think about doing is what kind of tobacco I'm going to smoke in it.
My motto: By what looks good to you, and smoke what you want in it haha.
While all the above is true about everything in the pipe world....do whatever works for you. There are some old standards that have a kernel of truth.
Wide bowls like a Pot shape increase the surface area of the burn so generally are better for aromatic and latakia-forward blends. The same pipe with a subtle virginia will likely burn too hot.
Virginias are generally preferred in a conical bowl like a Dublin or a taller/narrower Chimney/Stack as it slows the burn and allows the subtle flavors of a virginia tobacco to come out.
Personally, I think bowl shape is probably the most important but then you get into stem length, material, wall thickness, etc. and it's an ongoing process.
My best suggestion would be to try the same tobacco in a 3 or 4 different pipes of different shapes and see how it tastes different to you and go from there.
Wide bowls like a Pot shape increase the surface area of the burn so generally are better for aromatic and latakia-forward blends. The same pipe with a subtle virginia will likely burn too hot.
Virginias are generally preferred in a conical bowl like a Dublin or a taller/narrower Chimney/Stack as it slows the burn and allows the subtle flavors of a virginia tobacco to come out.
Personally, I think bowl shape is probably the most important but then you get into stem length, material, wall thickness, etc. and it's an ongoing process.
My best suggestion would be to try the same tobacco in a 3 or 4 different pipes of different shapes and see how it tastes different to you and go from there.
I buy my pipes based on how well I think they will smoke my flake tobacco. I prefer Dublins, Apples, Rhodesians, Billiards, Lovats, Brandy's. I like them straight and 1/8 to 1/4 bent. I also stick to group 4-5 sized pipes around the 40-50 gram range. I also buy pipes with a chamber dimension of .75-.82 and a shank dimension of around 4mm. I am very picky now when it comes to the dimensions and shapes of my pipes. When I first started I did not have a clue as to what I liked or how the shape and dimensions affected the tobacco that I was smoking. It took years to figure it all out honestly.
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