Wind caps

[Mike N]

I like to use wind caps, not only when smoking outside, but also when preloading my pipe so tobacco does not fall out as well as in my truck so that ash does not hit the seat or my clothing,

I have found that the wind caps with the sharp, pointed closure pins grip well but can chip the rim of a pipe bowl if you remove them quickly without paying attention. For that reason I prefer the pipe caps that I get from Esterval‘s in Germany with the smooth rounded clips shown in the top of the photos below.

Anyone else use these European wind caps?

 

[PaulRVA]

I have dozen or so of both types and the top are my preferred as well. The bottom model is easier to remove and replace while manipulating a lighter in the same hand simultaneously but they do not fit as well.
I’ve never had any chipping or scratching but the tabs are definitely sharper and capable of doing it.
I also use them for pre-loading pipes and especially for driving, shopping etc.

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

Not against them, but just not for me - no doubt they work, but too much ornamental for me on a pipe I would use, but I do like looking at other folks' versions of them - when I need something to hold tobacco in a pre-loaded pipe (i.e., maybe have a couple in the vehicle if I'm taking a little road trip) I'll just use a piece of painter's tape. Maybe if I enjoyed a pipe walking about, but if I'm out of doors and walking I'll normally have a seat somewhere and enjoy the pipe sitting down with a bit of shelter if it's windy.

Different strokes!

 

[Mike N]

Locked and loaded for a road trip:

 

[NookersTheCat]

Using them so hot coals no longer fall on and destroy my polyester surfaces is genius... if only I'd possessed it myself years ago haha

 

[TheIronMonkey]

The majority of my pipes are only smoked inside the house. While it’s bad enough I might drop one on a wood floor indoors in a moment of clumsiness, I dread the idea of dropping one outside on concrete or burning out a fine pipe in the wind. So, the only pipes that I take on the go are easily replaceable modern cobs, or something that approaches a basket level pipe, i.e., a Savinelli Series III (although some of those are harder to find than one might think). Because these pipes are less precious, using the cheap windcaps with the sharps edges is less of an issue for me in terms of worrying about damaging the inside of the chamber or rim (I’m pretty sure I have some vintage wind caps with different spring mechanisms that don’t present the same nicking issue somewhere).

I do have a number of nicer pipes with built in wind caps that I could smoke outside, but they generally fall under the category of pipes that are too nice to risk dropping outside.

 

[wyfbane]

I have seen pics of the rounded ones but never really pondered the difference. I like the looks of those and I'm sure they are safer for a good pipe.

For me, most of my smoking is done putting around property so I just have scratchy caps and use them on smokeable second MM cobs.

 

[Sig]

I have a Medico Magnet top.
Its a cap and tamper.
You push down the button on top to tamp. Its pretty ingenious, but I rarely use it. Im not sure its a wind cap per se, but keeps the tobacco in the pipe.
This is not my pipe, just one I found online. Mine is the same, but a Pot shape.

 

[Waning Embers]

Tried both styles years ago but they were too small to fit my pipes.

 

[Olkofri]

Tried both styles years ago but they were too small to fit my pipes.

I'd say. The magnums probably needed a colander.

 

[Olkofri]

I use windcaps all the time, but only to keep tobacco in during "transportation". Load the pipe, put the windcap on, put pipe in sock, put sock in jacket pocket or backpack; remove prior to smoke.

I never smoke with them on. If I don't finish the bowl I put the windcap on again to prevent the contents from spilling.

I use the caps with the sharp pins and am yet to scratch a pipe. Of course, I pay attention.

 

[SpuddsBuckley]

They're useful for transport, however, popping them on and off for every relight is a pain. I just avoid smoking in the wind.

 

[Waning Embers]

I'd say. The magnums probably needed a colander.

Not even that large. The windcap grippers won't fit a .9" diameter chamber. Many of mine were 1+ inches.

 

[Olkofri]

Not even that large. The windcap grippers won't fit a .9" diameter chamber. Many of mine were 1+ inches.

Yeah, I've had to bend the grippers outwards a bit to fit my wider chambered pipes. They won't fit the Auenland either, for that I'll have to turn me a wooden cap.

 

[ThermionicScott]

Yeah, I've had to bend the grippers outwards a bit to fit my wider chambered pipes...

I ruined one by trying to do that. Now it doesn't extend outward any more than it used to, but also doesn't retract all the way. Good thing it was cheap...

 

[Bassman65]

I like to use wind caps, not only when smoking outside, but also when preloading my pipe so tobacco does not fall out as well as in my truck so that ash does not hit the seat or my clothing,

I have found that the wind caps with the sharp, pointed closure pins grip well but can chip the rim of a pipe bowl if you remove them quickly without paying attention. For that reason I prefer the pipe caps that I get from Esterval‘s in Germany with the smooth rounded clips shown in the top of the photos below.

Anyone else use these European wind caps?
View attachment 428460

View attachment 428461View attachment 428462

I have both varieties and use them for the same purposes that you have mentioned. I like the top ones far better than the bottom and use them almost exclusively.

 

[Joe H]

My dad had a couple of those metal wind caps. He experimented with them and in the end decided they weren’t really needed. And I should point out he was on a surveyor field team and worked most days outdoors all day. I’ve tried them myself but they don’t solve any problems I’ve ever had with smoking outdoors. I know dad would relight his pipes right through the vent holes in the cap. You gotta love that big Zippo flame. I’ve tried that and it works fine, but the cap gets much hotter than when just smoking a bowl with the cap in place.

To store tobacco in the bowl while I’ve got a pipe in a pocket, I use chunks of wine corks. I’ve got enough to fit all my pipes and they also work to snuff out a bowl so the pipe can be put back in a pocket safely should the need arise.

 

[daveinlax]

To store tobacco in the bowl while I’ve got a pipe in a pocket, I use chunks of wine corks. I’ve got enough to fit all my pipes and they also work to snuff out a bowl so the pipe can be put back in a pocket safely should the need arise.
View attachment 428667

Pro Tip: Corks pry out. Coil a pipe cleaner for a self sizing pipe plug.

Your pipe plugs looks like they would work well artfully used as knockers stuck in a variety of ashtray’s.

 

[Joe H]

I haven't had them fall out in my usage, but I tend to keep my loaded pipes in my left shirt pocket; they don't get too knocked around. Interestingly, it's the same place my dad kept his pipes in between smokes - acorns/apples and trees and all that. Plus, I gotta do something with all those wine corks!

 

[EveningSmoke03]

I have a Brog Old Army with a permanent wind cap built in. I've been smoking it a lot this time of year because it's so windy here in the fall.