Shallow Bowls, Deeper Bowls

[cosmicfolklore]

I think it was either Passion for Pipes or GLP that wrote about the 1x1 ratio, same height to width ratio for smoking latakia blends.

And, I read that clay pipes all had fairly small bowls. It must have been briar that made larger width bowls a "thing."
Really though, as far as flavor, wider pipes for my stronger burlier blends, like Burley Flake #1, really give the flavor some smoothness. I find that the more narrow the bowl (no matter what the depth) makes a blend more harsh and intense. This is also why I prefer narrow bowls for the Virginias. It really makes the flavors of such a subtle tobacco come alive.
Think ring gauge for cigars. Wide cigars are smoother, richer, easier to smoke. Narrow cigarillos become pungent, intense, focused.
But, like we've said, some people seem to not taste a difference, so YMMV.

 

[mothernaturewilleatusallforbreakfast]

What happens with a pipe of say 1" depth?

I'm not sure what happens other than, on average, you finish a bowl of tobacco quicker. I think that a 1 inch bowl is shallow, 1.5 inch medium, and 2 inch plus deep. It's funny how you tend to think of your own pipes being shallow at 1.5 inches, but when someone mentions 1 inch deep pipes it makes you realize that shallow isn't shallow as you thought.

Possibly these smaller shallow chamber were originally intended to have stronger blends.

This can be true. As a nicotine wimp of sorts, I do usually prefer to smoke stronger blends in smaller bowls. I think ODF does well in a smaller bowl because the flavors jump out right away and don't need time to develop. Although, I've been smoking the 2012 stuff exclusively since there's been so much on the market over the past year for super cheap. I mean pipestud was selling the stuff for $20 a tin. ODF in a shallow bowled pipe 1.5 inches, 1 inch, whatever the depth is good. I mean really good. Although, there are many that would not label ODF as a strong blend, but it is to me.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

Mr Cosmic & Mothernature,thankfully learning these your observations.

I do kinda adore ODF whereas Irish Flake by Peterson makes my head spinning no matter what size of bowl or at least this was the case some half a year ago,nonetheless the taste of irish flake I liked a lot.

 

[bigpond]

Paul, the easy way to get your head not to spin smoking Irish flake is to simply smoke more Irish flake. I pretty much rotate from IF and 3p’s lately and have been amazed by how quickly a tolerance builds up. I’ve sort of sworn off my usual SG stuff lately.

 

[olkofri]

I recall reading on The Book of Pipes and Tobacco that tobacco in small diameter bowls will burn fast and hotter. Maybe this explains what Cosmic says about the flavours being more intense?