When Did The Trend Go From Small To Large Pipes?

[greeneyes]

To give an example, Ben Wade was a British manufacturer of pipes since the late 1800s. Obviously there are exceptions and large pipes appear, however many of the older Ben Wade pipes tended to be smaller in comparison to today's pipes. Add to that the shortages of briar caused by back-to-back wars. Many bowls tended to be smaller, and they're useful for someone who has little leisure time and must budget their tobacco.

My guess is that the trend toward increased bowl sizes began in the 50s and was further reinforced by the adoption of styles from abroad, including extravagant Italian and Danish styles. Somehow I can't picture a 19th Century Leeds factory worker smoking a flamboyant Danish Ben Wade "freehand." This is something suggestive of the burgeoning post-war middle class that had a little more time to sit around and a little more money to spend on tobacco. But obviously there were and will always be pipes of every size to suit any purpose or lifestyle.

 

[Celius]

The only trend I've seen in the past few years is quite a large selection of just about any shape and size one could imagine. I primarily smoke flake tobacco's and clinch so I like size 3 to small 4 size pipes with thick walls that with less that 2 ounces. I've found more than plenty to choose from.

I will have to disagree regarding the availability of small sizes, small pipes (group size 1-3) are 10- 15 % of all pipes offered I would say.

And mostly this are not small and slick elegant pipes, but small chunky ones.

I would say (unfortunatelly) only Dunhill offers nowadays elegant small pipes nowadays.

 

[Celius]

Umm... That's what SHE said.... nana

Supperthyme, please forgive my inner Beavis insisting on an appearance.

Our economy, and by edict, our culture, is based on more, more, bigger, faster.

Our corporate overlords and the shareholders that lord over them could not have their third homes if we lived a modest life of inner contentment with many less things.


View attachment 13823

Yep, unfortunatelly thats the trend.
Not only with pipes.
Same goes for wristwatches for example.

 

[jpmcwjr]

My guess is the eyetalian influence on pipes is what made big pipes a big deal.

You do mean, "Italian", do you not?

What is the basis of your assertion?

 

[supperthyme]

Umm... That's what SHE said.... nana

Supperthyme, please forgive my inner Beavis insisting on an appearance.

Ha! Maybe he should make an appearance more often It's not as though you'll offend my delicate Victorian sensibilities.

 

[TinCup]

Re the economics of a larger chamber, was basic pipe tobacco proportionally more expensive 50/70 years ago?

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

I will have to disagree regarding the availability of small sizes, small pipes (group size 1-3) are 10- 15 % of all pipes offered I would say.

And mostly this are not small and slick elegant pipes, but small chunky ones.

I would say (unfortunatelly) only Dunhill offers nowadays elegant small pipes nowadays.

I didn't say there was an even distribution. I said there were plenty of each size to choose from.

 

[aquadoc]

What gave you the idea that larger pipes are more popular in the current market? I would argue that nosewarmers are more popular than ever, particularly with the younger crowd on social media.

But many nose warmers have large chambers.

 

[Casual]

Re the economics of a larger chamber, was basic pipe tobacco proportionally more expensive 50/70 years ago?

I believe it was rationed by weight during the wars. I don‘t know how expensive it was by percentage of average disposable income in the meantime.

 

[jaytex1969]

Well, now that I know you a little better,

There once was a pipe from Nantucket....




We all have different interpretations of manners and ettiquette. Being raised strictly and then into the military, I've been conditioned to err on the side of caution. It's served me well in most situations.

 

[Chasing Embers]

large chambers

Now there's a relative term. What some call a cavernous chamber, some of us call a cute little pipe.

 

[jaytex1969]

What some call a cavernous chamber, some of us call a cute little pipe.

And if you have a cavernous chamber and a cute little pipe, your next stop is marriage counseling...

?

 

[Chasing Embers]

And if you have a cavernous chamber and a cute little pipe, your next stop is marriage counseling...

?

View attachment 13871

People that are thinking of marriage need counseling.

 

[supperthyme]

People that are thinking of marriage need counseling.

Aren't you married, embers? Or did you mean "people that are thinking of marrying a pipe" need counseling?

 

[Chasing Embers]

Aren't you married, embers? Or did you mean "people that are thinking of marrying a pipe" need counseling?

The ones thinking about it.

 

[jaytex1969]

The Cap'n is a proven genophobe.

It makes him vicious in battle but you can disregard him in most manners of the heart...

nana

 

[olkofri]

If I were married I wouldn't be ill.

 

[sablebrush52]

The ones thinking about it.

Marry in haste, repent at leisure. I've been married twice. Both marriages were highly successful at being complete disasters. And yet, I'm close friends with both exes and we take care of each other when difficulties arise. Marriage just wasn't natural, nor realistic, for us.
Considering the stats on the general population, pre marriage counseling isn't the worst idea.

As for the relative cost of tobacco, it was much higher in the 19th and early 20th centuries than now. I used to have the figures, but I can't find that doc. The info is out there for those who want to know.

 

[supperthyme]

Marry in haste, repent at leisure.

Agreed. Marriage isn't something to be entered into lightly, particularly if you're a man. Men often get the short end of the stick in divorce matters and family courts- so it's vital to be keenly aware of who your partner is, whether your value systems are compatible and what you have to lose should things go south.

 

[donjgiles]

I was married once, I won't do that again!