Pipes' Tactile Dimension, Does It Matter?

[mso489]

I'm posting this one because I've formulated the question but haven't yet answered it for myself. We all notice and comment on the tactile dimension of a deep sandblast, a touchy rustication, the notches and grooves on some freehands, the scratchy surface of a natural cob, and so on. The dimension of touch certainly draws us to a pipe in the first place, at the point of purchase or in the online retailer photographs. But how much of a role does the texture and shape of a pipe play in taking one off the rack and packing it? Is that fascination pretty much over by the time a pipe is in rotation? Do size of chamber, shape of chamber, weight, stem, and other characteristics decide our choice before we ever get drawn to the "hand" of the pipes we smoke? Some of this depends on the time and circumstance. In a rush, on the fly, we probably grab what's handy. Only when we settle in to focus on a bowl do we begin to think of added dimensions. How much do shape and finish of a pipe count on a daily basis. I'm not sure.

 

[mikethompson]

The best pipe smoking experiences for me are when I'm relaxed and not clenching the pipe. So as the pipe sits in my hand, I notice all the little groves in the bowl, or swirls in the briar. Sometimes those features don't reveal themselves until I'm halfway through the bowl, so I wouldn't say that influences my decision to pick one pipe over the other.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I normally only buy sandblasts as I am rarely attracted to smooth pipes so over 95% of my collection is sandblasted. I really enjoy how they feel. Chamber size and shape really don't affect the smoke for me other than a larger chamber smokes longer.

 

[Chasing Embers]

In a rush, on the fly, we probably grab what's handy.

I solved this one a long time ago. Pack the pipes you want to smoke a day in advance.

 

[warren]

If a pipe doesn't fit my fist and eye, I won't buy it much less smoke it. I'm, as expected, exempting the throw away pipes. They are strictly utilitarian, for work and hard use.

 

[mso489]

I also pack most pipes in advance, chasing'. warren, my problem is, after I enjoy a pipe for many smokes, and it's durable, I no longer think of it as a throw away. Cobs can become the grand old men of the rack. I have some old factory beaters that I approach with absolute reverence. 'Just me.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I have some old factory beaters that I approach with absolute reverence.

A roughed up pipe often denotes a great smoking pipe.

 

[jaytex1969]

My rack seems pretty evenly divided between smooth and textured.
As long as it smokes well, I can enjoy either.
The tiny rusticated Dunhill Poker demands a slow cadence to keep cool. The morta refuses to be cool under most circumstances.
The rest, with reasonable care, are rather care free, even the ugly $10 Baraccini beater pipe, a smooth billiard.
I chose the pipe mainly by the tobacco designated for it and appearance is way down the list.

 

[mso489]

jay', how about the tactile dimension, the finger feel? Does that ever play into either selecting which pipe to smoke or your enjoyment during the bowl? Or does that somewhat go unnoticed? I'm still trying to figure this out myself, which is why I asked the question.

 

[jaytex1969]

I think size and shape are more noticed to me than texture.
Part of it may be my ongoing struggle with diabetic neuropathy in my extremities, lessening the sensitivity.
My hand may one day fall off. I only hope it's holding a cob when it does and not a nice briar.... :lol:
I really enjoy my fat bent Stanwell 185. The brushed lines add to the enjoyment, but it's still the size and shape more than the texture.
Once good smoke begins flowing into my pie hole, I would be happy even if it were coming from a mop bucket.

 

[philobeddoe]

My current collection is probably 70/30 leaning towards sandblasts and rusticated finishes. I am not a clencher, so the tactile experience of holding a craggy blast etc. is a very large part of the smoke for me. As to bowl shape, I don’t really care if the chamber is straight walled or conical etc. I am like Duane, the bigger the chamber = the longer the smoke! As for stems, I have been culling my vulcanite stemmed pipes for the last several years as I strongly prefer acrylic, I will keep some vulcanite stemmed pipes and I will still buy some in the future from artisans such as Ryan Alden and Nate King, but I sure wish the would offer acrylic stems. All of my pipes are tobacco specific, I have straight Virginia pipes, Va.Per pipes, Burley pipes, Heavy English pipes, Lighter English/Oriental pipes, Lakeland pipes and Aromatic pipes. This may sound pedantic to some of you, but I truly believe that tobacco tastes better in a pipe that only sees that same varietal, I want to taste what the blender intended. Finally, pipe smoking involves all five senses....the look of the pipe, the feel of the pipe, the smell of the tobacco in the tin, the taste of the tobacco in your mouth and even the pleasant sound of the matches lighting up or the snap of flint against striker wheel.

 

[workman]

I like the feel of a sandblasted bowl. I have a few smooth pipes and I like them, but blasted ones feel better.

 

[mso489]

As I think about it, I believe the pipe-in-hand tactile dimension is important. Once into a blend, especially if I am really enjoying it, the feel of the pipe in my palm and fingers is a secondary but distinct pleasure. A textured pipe or a briar with an engaging shape serves a purpose similar to a worry stone or prayer beads, a definite part of the experience. I have some arthritis in my knuckles and fingers, so having a briar shape against which to flex my hand feels good and is a pleasing distraction. All this sounds a little hypersensitive written down, but its like grasping a big cup of hot tea or coffee. The temperature and shape are part of the satisfaction.

 

[jpmcwjr]

I imagine we all choose which pipe we grab off the rack, from the table, out of the bowl, based on the above but subliminally. Now that you've broached the question, I may get more conscious as to how I choose. Though sometimes it's just, "Oh, this guy hasn't been smoked for a week", and away we go.

 

[workman]

I really like the feel of a smooth bulldog though. It has some edges and grooves. What I like the least is a smooth, rounded shape.

 

[bnichols23]

Hmm. OK, this one's hard. Bottom line up front -- I honestly can't say it makes *that* much difference for me, though I do have a special like for a few of my fave sandblasts.
My collection's roughly 50/50 smooth/rough (some more so than others, like Lorenzo Elba Imperia vs. Sav rusticated). I like bents more than straights just because they usually fit my hand better, though not always. Unless the shape or brand appeals to me, finish isn't going to be my litmus test. Sorry I can't be of more use to you.

 

[agnosticpipe]

I'm drawn to smooth pipes not just for the hand feel, but I like to look at the grain while smoking. I have plenty of sandblasted and rusticated pipes too. I have one pipe that's a slightly modified prince shape. The bowl is smooth, but the shank has a rustication that begs to be touched, so my hand wanders a bit while smoking it. My only pipe that I don't like the feel of is a rather nice MM Country Gentleman that's unfinished, but has a forever stem. It had a prickly feel that drove me nuts, so I ended up sanding the crap out of it so it's not like holding a cactus! :mrgreen:

 

[anthonyrosenthal74]

I think this was an easier question answered when I had less than 10 pipes. Now that I'm getting closer to 50 pipes, it's a bit more difficult. But it's still one I can answer. My reasons for choosing a pipe off the racks vary, and sometimes I can spend quite a while browsing before I finally pick one up. Sometimes it the shape that draws me in, or how it feels in the hand, the size of a chamber in case I don't want a very long smoke or in case I do want a very long smoke. How did the pipe smoke last I smoked it? How did a certain blend taste in that pipe? Sometimes it's the beauty of the grain that makes me smile and choose. Sometimes talk of a certain brand or maker recently on these very pages will help me choose a pipe. Maybe it's simply an old favorite that I'm reminded I haven't smoked in a while, so now's as good a time as any. Although it can sometimes take me quite a while to choose a pipe, sometimes I can just happen to glance up from where I'm sitting and my eye will be drawn to a pipe on the rack and I'll immediately get up and choose it.... of course then I have to decide what to smoke in it. And that can sometimes take longer than choosing any pipe at any time. Regardless, when a choice is finally made, I'm usually content with it.

 

[cortezattic]

I favor deeply blasted and rusticated finishes because they seem to provide a more secure grip in my arthritic hands.

 

[carolinachurchwarden]

I'm a very tactile person, so I always feel a need to be able to hold something in my hand that I can run my fingers over. A smooth finish is okay, providing I have something the feel around the top of the bowl as I cover it to stoke the ember, lime my L.P.N. Freehand. Smooth is okay, but my experience is better holding that rough and tough feeling sandblasted bowl in my hand. I'm less likely to choose size of bowl over finish, because let's face it....ig the bowl ain't big enough for that full half hour, I'm packing it twice.