Old German Clay: Dragon's Claw Tobacco Pipe

Product Number: 002-557-0013

Old German Clay pipes are hand-crafted by Markus Fohr in Montabaur, Germany, using the region's prized white clay. Maintaining his family's rich pipe-making tradition, Fohr utilizes antique hand-presses to mold pipes in the style of centuries past, with some of the presses dating back to the late 18th century. Until briar was popularized in the mid 19th century, clay pipes dominated the pipe-smoking milieu, and for many, they were the only smoking instruments available: Meerschaum pipes existed, but clay was more ubiquitous and economically accessible. Most public houses and taverns provided a communal supply of clay pipes, often in long, willowy Churchwarden form. Today, while briar pipes have become the norm for most pipe smokers, clay pipes are still available and offer a distinct aesthetic and what many consider a neutral flavor. In fact, pipe-tobacco blenders often utilize clay pipes when testing and experimenting with prospective mixtures. Clay is more delicate than other pipe-making materials, so special care is advised when storing and traveling with a clay pipe; however, they're incredibly heat-resistant and immune to burnout, making them perfect workhorse smokers. Even though the bowl will get hot, there's no risk of damaging the pipe — they're fired in a kiln during production, after all.

Offered here is a sleek Dragon's Claw figural clay pipe by Markus Fohr, featuring an intricate motif commonly rendered in meerschaum pipes.

Note: While all of our other pipes are photographed individually, these are not, and you may expect some reasonable cosmetic variation between the example we've photographed and the pipe you've received.

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$26.00
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Measurements & Other Details

  • Length: 5.30 in./134.62 mm.
  • Weight: 1.31 oz./37.19 g.
  • Bowl Height: 1.70 in./43.18 mm.
  • Chamber Depth: 1.51 in./38.35 mm.
  • Chamber Diameter: 0.59 in./14.99 mm.
  • Outside Diameter: 1.17 in./29.72 mm.
  • Stem Material: Other
  • Filter: None
  • Shape: Freehand
  • Finish: Carved
  • Material: Clay
  • Country: Germany
Customer Reviews
Overall Rating:
4.5
1 reviews
Good Smoke
January 31, 2024
Product: Old German Clay Dragon's Claw
All Old German Clay pipes I’ve tried have been good to me thus far, as have their Basic Briars, their fit, finish and function fitting well within my parameters for a good smoke. This one’s no exception and has turned into one of my primary tasting pipes.
The bowl dimensions turned out to be perf
ect for the purpose of testing the nuances of new tobaccos and does double duty for enjoying relatively small quantities of more premium quality tobaccos.
Given the price, it’s also a good-looking, ornate little pipe that’s pretty ergonomic for the size.
Like all my clays from this maker, it’s got a good draw and draft and smokes cool for the stem length. An added advantage—since the claws provide protection from a hot bowl, you can handle it with less caution and more like a regular briar bowl.
Altogether, it’s a good smoke and has garnered more than a fair share of compliments, on appearance alone.
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