Shortening Pipes

[Brig]

I am primarily a fan of shorter nose-warmer type pipes, largely because I have the opportunity often to smoke outside while I work and it frees up by hands, stays out of the way, and doesn't pull heavily on my mouth. That said, I've noticed a distinct lack of shorter pipes out there, but have seen several larger pipes that I think would be great if only they were shorter.

Is there someone out there who shortens pipes?

 

[crashthegrey]

While this seems simple, it is a lot of work. You hack off the shank and redrill the mortise, face the shank. At Kaywoodie I have a self centering upright that faces the shank and drills the mortise, but on a finished pipe it will damage the finish and need the stem reflushed. Which means matching the stain, likely losing the stamp of what the pipe was, as well. While I, too, love short pipes, it is a lot of time and effort to simply shorten a finished pipe. Buying nose warmers are easier. That said, since I make every Kaywoodie pipe, it is easy for me to do nosewarmer size, so you could always show me the pipe you wish was shorter and I can make one short, most likely, and they run from $50 to $70 in most finishes.

 

[bootlegpipes]

I am primarily a fan of shorter nose-warmer type pipes, largely because I have the opportunity often to smoke outside while I work and it frees up by hands, stays out of the way, and doesn't pull heavily on my mouth. That said, I've noticed a distinct lack of shorter pipes out there, but have seen several larger pipes that I think would be great if only they were shorter.

Is there someone out there who shortens pipes?

Check SP and sort filter the search so it shows pipes under 5” or even under 4.5”. There’s a decent amount of pipes that fit into this size range.

 

[Briarcutter]

Sometimes just a shorter mouthpiece will work. But if Kaywoddie is willing to make you one for $50-$75 you've got your answer.

 

[makhorkasmoker]

I am primarily a fan of shorter nose-warmer type pipes, largely because I have the opportunity often to smoke outside while I work and it frees up by hands, stays out of the way, and doesn't pull heavily on my mouth. That said, I've noticed a distinct lack of shorter pipes out there, but have seen several larger pipes that I think would be great if only they were shorter.

Is there someone out there who shortens pipes?

I have sometimes considered having a shorter stem fitted, but only when I need the stem replaced anyway. If the shank is short, and the original stem long, you might create a nose warmer-ish pipe this way. But I haven’t actually tried this yet

 

[telescopes]

Radice. They love short pipes.

 

[ofafeather]

There’s nothing like a full bent chin hanger for handsfree work but if you want to stick with shorter straight pipes there are plenty around. I have ones by Wessex, Karl Erik, Ascorti, Ardor, etc.

As others have said, you can shorten a pipe in various ways but it usually makes sense not to. YMMV

 

[anotherbob]

you could get a churchwarden and then after using that for a while all other pipes will feel like a nosewarmer. I'd say custom route might be best.

 

[xrundog]

The best and cheapest way is probably to have a shorter stem made for an existing pipe. Still not cheap though.

 

[Brig]

While this seems simple, it is a lot of work. You hack off the shank and redrill the mortise, face the shank. At Kaywoodie I have a self centering upright that faces the shank and drills the mortise, but on a finished pipe it will damage the finish and need the stem reflushed. Which means matching the stain, likely losing the stamp of what the pipe was, as well. While I, too, love short pipes, it is a lot of time and effort to simply shorten a finished pipe. Buying nose warmers are easier. That said, since I make every Kaywoodie pipe, it is easy for me to do nosewarmer size, so you could always show me the pipe you wish was shorter and I can make one short, most likely, and they run from $50 to $70 in most finishes.

Well that's certainly appealing. Where can one find the current Kaywoodie patterns? I don't seem to see a Kaywoodie site and am not sure on others which ones are old patterns.

 

[warren]

Just buy a couple Missouri Meerschaums rather that maim a decent pipe, changing the esthetics of a decent pipe. Or, pick an ugly pipe and shell out for a shorter but, well fitted bit. I suspect you can buy few MMs for the cost of remodeling a briar.

 

[Brig]

Just buy a couple Missouri Meerschaums rather that maim a decent pipe, changing the esthetics of a decent pipe. Or, pick an ugly pipe and shell out for a shorter but, well fitted bit. I suspect you can buy few MMs for the cost of remodeling a briar.

Don't like corncobs one bit, unfortunately

 

[OzPiper]

Simple answer is to buy a nosewarmer. There is so much choice available.
Shorter shanked Lovats are ideal
The top pipe on the left is a Peterson Short series
A few brands offer “Sport” serirs

 

[Nevaditude]

Well that's certainly appealing. Where can one find the current Kaywoodie patterns? I don't seem to see a Kaywoodie site and am not sure on others which ones are old patterns.

Link to Kaywoodie pipes <-----<---- click here

Brig, You will NOT find a better guy to work with! At the Chicago Show last year, I was often near @crashthegrey and the entourage! Talk about knowledgable and just plain fun! He really knows his stuff and it was a kick just to hear the stories that people spoke of. Listen to his podcast and you will KNOW you are dealing with someone who cares deeply for the history & process of a good contemplative smoke. AND you will NOT get a custom pipe toYOUR specs for cheaper. I am a Pete Geek & p-lip piper, but I have many times in the last year thought about placing an order with him.
Hmmm, I wonder if I sent in a p-lip stem if he could work with that ...
That is more to ponder. Speaking of pondering: I need to decide it I am going to Chicago in next few days...

 

[crashthegrey]

Link to Kaywoodie pipes <-----<---- click here

Brig, You will NOT find a better guy to work with! At the Chicago Show last year, I was often near @crashthegrey and the entourage! Talk about knowledgable and just plain fun! He really knows his stuff and it was a kick just to hear the stories that people spoke of. Listen to his podcast and you will KNOW you are dealing with someone who cares deeply for the history & process of a good contemplative smoke. AND you will NOT get a custom pipe toYOUR specs for cheaper. I am a Pete Geek & p-lip piper, but I have many times in the last year thought about placing an order with him.
Hmmm, I wonder if I sent in a p-lip stem if he could work with that ...
That is more to ponder. Speaking of pondering: I need to decide it I am going to Chicago in next few days...

Yes, and I have a variation of a P-lip for Chicago, just one pipe. I think I have old Wellington stems that are similar, too.

 

[crashthegrey]

Well that's certainly appealing. Where can one find the current Kaywoodie patterns? I don't seem to see a Kaywoodie site and am not sure on others which ones are old patterns.

My retail site, Greywoodie.com, but I am sold out. Missouri Meerschaum has a lot of them right now.
A Kaywoodie website will come, but there is a long story about why there is not one right now. I have owned the company for a year and there is a lot to do.