What Are Old Smoking Pipes Called?
The material and shape of the pipe have a huge impact on the aesthetics and quality of smoking. Metal and glass are not common for pipe tobacco smoking, but you see them being used for other substances. Taken together, the tobacco chamber, and not the shape, size, and materials of the components, are the factors that make a good smoking pipe. Proponents of clay pipes argue that clay pipes provide a clean smoking experience because the tobacco is not contaminated. Clay proponents argue that, unlike other materials, a well-made clay pipe will give off a "clean" smoke without any flavor added to the pipe's bowl. Although very inexpensive, clay pipes are notorious for being difficult to smoke as they have narrow barrel holes and get very hot. They are usually made in the shape of a notch, and the spur under the bowl is often a by-product of the molding process. Some cutty-shaped clay pipes had a bent spur, which was originally used to place a hot bowl on the surface withou...