Pipe Line

The Devil's Pipe

October 28, 2022 by Chuck Stanion

24 Comments

Kenan was a neighbor, but I didn't know him well or like him much. We'd mutually attended a couple of neighborhood barbecues, and this was the second time I'd been in his house. The first time, I decided not to make it habitual because Kenan was a little too weird. He was a professor specializing in medieval artifacts who collected occult items and displayed them in his home, and they were disturbing: ugly dolls, ouija boards, ... Read More

The Spookiest Pipes, Tobaccos, and Cigars Available This Halloween

October 27, 2022 by Davin Hylton

1 Comment

Halloween: that time of the year when the witches, ghosts, ghouls, and haunts are at the forefront of everyone's mind. We here at Smokingpipes are fans of the macabre, sinister, and altogether frightening, making Halloween something of an event around the office. As such, we thought it'd be appropriate to highlight some of the spooky offerings on our site for those who share our collective admiration for the unnerving. ... Read More

The Kiseru: An Overview of the Traditional Japanese Smoking Pipe

October 21, 2022 by Gabriel Bass

6 Comments

While Japanese artisan pipes are world-famous for their innovative design and smoking quality, there is a long tradition of pipe culture in the island nation that stretches back over four centuries. Tobacco was introduced to Japan by Portuguese traders in the 1570s and quickly became popular among the wealthy merchant and feudal classes. ... Read More

The History, Manufacture, and Use of Clay Pipes

October 19, 2022 by Gabriel Bass

19 Comments

Long before meerschaum and briar were utilized as pipe-making mediums, clay was the primary material used to make pipes. Clay pipes were at one time ubiquitous, often smoked in taverns, churches, and homes, and even after meerschaum became available, they were the choice of many because meerschaum was expensive. ... Read More

Arne Jacobsen: Pipe Smoking Paragon of Functionalism

October 13, 2022 by John McElheny

4 Comments

We often reference Functionalism in regard to pipe making here at Smokingpipes, particularly when discussing Danish pipe designs, and we occasionally mention the name, Arne Jacobsen. If you're an enthusiast of the work of Tom Eltang, then the name should be familiar. One of Tom's most iconic designs is named after the ... Read More

Pipe Smoking Desktop Backgrounds: October 2022

October 3, 2022 by Andrew Wike

1 Comment

It's time for another round of beautiful pipe smoking desktop backgrounds! As in previous months, we've compiled some of our favorite shots and artwork to share with you. Below you'll find eight unique images, split between desktop and mobile orientations and available for download in two high-resolution formats. They're ready for you to use however you'd like ... Read More

Airflow in Peterson System Pipes: A Conversation with Dr. Dunn

September 23, 2022 by Chuck Stanion

15 Comments

In physics and engineering, fluid dynamics is the field that describes and measures the flow of fluids, including air and other gasses, as they move through various environments. One such environment is that found inside of a tobacco pipe. Air must move efficiently from the bowl, through the shank and stem, and out of ... Read More

Popular Stem Materials in Early French Pipe Making

September 15, 2022 by Davin Hylton

3 Comments

Long before the advent and popularity of acrylic and vulcanite, many alternative materials were utilized in the creation of pipe stems. Amber, horn, and briar were common, especially French pipe making, prior to the introduction of acrylic and vulcanite, and have a unique history and aesthetic appeal. ... Read More

The Many Shapes and Styles of Tobacco Pipes

September 9, 2022 by Chuck Stanion

18 Comments

You may have noticed that pipes appear in a large number of different shapes. One might even say that the number is infinite, especially when accounting for variations. Most traditional shapes, for example, can be straight or bent, with varying proportions, different stem configurations, different capacities, different balance, rounded or flat rims, varying curvature of bowl, length of stem ... Read More

All Pipes Considered: Interview with Brian Levine

September 7, 2022 by Shane Ireland

Welcome back to another episode of All Pipes Considered. We're doing things a little different today: Rather than discussing a specific range of pipes, I'm joined by special guest Brian Levine to discuss the upcoming Las Vegas International Pipe Show, formerly the West Coast Pipe Show, which will be held from October 21st to October ... Read More