What are Your Thoughts on Pot Shaped Pipes? Pros, Cons

[carolinasmokes]

I'm a billiard smoker (straight stem) and looking to branch out a little, like trying a straight stem Pot shape. The bowl diameter is not much more than the billiards I smoke, putting aside the weight difference the shape really appeals to me all of a sudden. I'm thinking of adding one to my rotation. Do you own a Pot or smoke a Pot shaped pipe? Your thoughts and opinions much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Just as not all billiards are the same sizes and dimensions, pot-shaped pipes come in all varieties of sizes also. The pot-shaped pipes that I like are around .95"-1" wide and 1"-1.25" deep, which is very different from the billiards I have, which are in the .75"-.85" range. It just depends.

I like to shop for variety in widths and depths, but I think what attracts me to most pots is the thickness of the chamber walls, which can vary also.

Mostly with pipe styles, is just what style or fashion of pipe you prefer.

 

[dcon]

I like pots, especially slightly bent pots (ala Savinelli/Rossi shape #122). I think they are great for all blends but, I find them nice for VAs.

 

[burleybreath]

I have several, I like their looks, etc., but I could never get into them. I say that as a straight billiard fancier. Not sure why that is, but I suspect that it has something to do with an uneven burn, real or imagined. In any event, they remain rack queens, for the most part.

 

[carolinasmokes]

Just as not all billiards are the same sizes and dimensions, pot-shaped pipes come in all varieties of sizes also. The pot-shaped pipes that I like are around .95"-1" wide and 1"-1.25" deep, which is very different from the billiards I have, which are in the .75"-.85" range. It just depends.

I like to shop for variety in widths and depths, but I think what attracts me to most pots is the thickness of the chamber walls, which can vary also.

Mostly with pipe styles, is just what style or fashion of pipe you prefer.

The pot I am considering is a .82 diameter x 1.21 depth, my billiards run .77 diameter x 1.33 depth. Pretty close I'd say for my smoking preferences in a pipe. It does have nice thick walls. My billiards weigh in at about 1.4 oz/40g, the pot I'm looking at weighs in at 1.9 oz/52g. Pondering...

 

[mso489]

I like pots straight and bent, traditional cylindrical and otherwise -- like the Sixten Iversson design done for Stanwell that is sort of a half-tomato shape, but called a pot, shape 95 I think. Pots that have a little broader bowl I find especially good for blends with a number of tobaccos, like four or more, in terms of getting all of the constituents glowing in the ember at once so you can taste them. I know some people don't like the plain Jane aspect of the traditional pot shape, but finish and flow in design balance that objection, and sometimes a very basic looking pipe has an appeal of its own. So yes, pot shape pipes are good.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

The pot I am considering is a .82 diameter x 1.21 depth, my billiards run .77 diameter x 1.33 depth. Pretty close I'd say for my smoking preferences in a pipe. It does have nice thick walls. My billiards weigh in at about 1.4 oz/40g, the pot I'm looking at weighs in at 1.9 oz/52g. Pondering...

Yeh, .77 - .82 is not much of a difference, especially with some cake. At that point, ask yourself whether the pipe is attractive to you.

 

[carolinasmokes]

Yeh, .77 - .82 is not much of a difference, especially with some cake. At that point, ask yourself whether the pipe is attractive to you.

And if it's going to be comfortable to clench, the 52g weight concerns me a lot, as I like to clench when I smoke a pipe.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

52 is under 2oz's. I wouldn't write it off for clenching, even if it is a straight.
I only clench, and my limit is under 3oz's for straights, and 4 oz's for certain bent shapes, because bents can have a whole different balancing thing going on. Some bent 3's are too heavy, because of where the bend is, and some 4oz pipes rest just fine from my clench... it is just experience that will help you find your range in bents.

But, the whole under 2oz thing just makes it easier to discuss in a forum, but that's not a hard fast rule. You'll figure all of that out with experience. YMMV

 

[carolinasmokes]

52 is under 2oz's. I wouldn't write it off for clenching, even if it is a straight.
I only clench, and my limit is under 3oz's for straights, and 4 oz's for certain bent shapes, because bents can have a whole different balancing thing going on. Some bent 3's are too heavy, because of where the bend is, and some 4oz pipes rest just fine from my clench... it is just experience that will help you find your range in bents.

But, the whole under 2oz thing just makes it easier to discuss in a forum, but that's not a hard fast rule. You'll figure all of that out with experience. YMMV

Thank you sir, I very much appreciate your input.

 

[sablebrush52]

Love my pots! They're workhorses that always deliver excellent flavors. I have no cons when it comes to pots.

 

[kcghost]

Yeah, you either like them or you don't. I happen to like them but I know guys who don't care for them. The choice is yours.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

I prefer pot shape which has not too broad chamber size and also it has to be relatively light(30gr)and preferably fitted with a longer stem,this like combinations has become rather a rare event in our days, discontinued group 3 Dunhill model 501 represents this very style very fine

 

[mso489]

My first pipe was a pot from Tinder Box, a smooth bent St. Ives, sourced from a French pipe maker. It has a vertical saddle stem and is still a handsome good-smoking pipe. How can I not like a pot shape? And it's a sitter, about 40 years old by now.

 

[alaskanpiper]

Love em

 

[donjgiles]

Some say, these are the finest smoking pipes, ever made.

 

[maduromadness]

Pots have grown on me lately. I agree with everything that's been said. There is just something about its utilitarian looks and once you smoke one you'll understand why it's a classic shape. On that note don't be afraid to try a full on .9 or 1" diameter. In my opinion they smoke a little differently and the tobacco can "breathe" differently. Might pick up some different flavors from blends.

 

[UncleRasta]

I like the look of pots and really enjoy both Virginia and Burley blends in them. I currently have four of them and wouldn't hesitate to buy more.

 

[cigrmaster]

I own one pot and am not really a fan of them. They look too short compared to my Billiards and other shapes. I like a pipe that is 2.00 inches minimum bowl height and a bowl depth minimum of 1.5 inches.

The one pot I do own smokes fine but is too short of a smoke for my tastes. My one pot is a Brian Ruthenberg and has a nice grain and looks good but I just never reach for it. I will be selling it on my next trimming down of the last few pipes I will be moving out.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Ha ha, pots are also the hardest to find on eBay. I wish they were called something else, because when you do a search for "pot pipes" 'pot shaped pipes" or even "pot shaped tobacco pipes," all I get are lists and lists of pot paraphernalia. I'm not even sure what terms to use when doing searches for them on there.