Clay pipes

[mcdevster]

I'm just kind of curious if anyone owns or smokes clay pipes... Probably the clay pipe is the most important pipe in history - yet people rarely mention them these days... any thoughts??

[monsoon]

Originally Posted by mcdevster

I'm just kind of curious if anyone owns or smokes clay pipes... Probably the clay pipe is the most important pipe in history - yet people rarely mention them these days... any thoughts??

I've often thought about getting a clay .... they even make double-walled clay pipes now, in more modern shapes & sizes, so the bowl does not get too hot to touch.

Wonder if I can find that link ... hrmmmmmm ...

Here it is ... http://www.lepeltier-pipes.com/mains.adml?b=21&l=2 Not your traditional clay cutty, but they are supposed to be quite nice pipes.

.....and your post has made me think about it once again. Supposedly, a clay pipe is the best way to get the true & untainted flavor out of a tobacco blend.

[Quick_nick]

I always heard they were mor fuss and worry than they are actually worth but it would be nice to smoke one; it would be like smoking a piece of history. Meerschaum's a pretty old and historic to though.

[Mister Moo]

My 74 year old father-in-law gave me a clay pipe that he said was old when he was young; it's a Carolina or Virginia made small orange clay bowl with a reed stem. I don't think I'd ever smoke it but wonder about it every once in a while.

A meer is the clay cat-daddy. Colonists all woulda been smoking meer if they could have afforded it.

[RevZeek]

I'm a clay pipe smoker! Thety pack pretty much the same. The only real difference is that you don't hold it by the bowl or you'll burn your fingers. The smoke is a lot cooler (especially with a long stem.) You should try it! It will be a unique experience.

PS: Wonder when Dub will chime in!

[Mister Moo]

Originally Posted by RevZeek

I'm a clay pipe smoker! Thety pack pretty much the same. The only real difference is that you don't hold it by the bowl or you'll burn your fingers. The smoke is a lot cooler (especially with a long stem.) You should try it! It will be a unique experience.

PS: Wonder when Dub will chime in!

Can you overheat and crack a good clay pipe or not?

[mcdevster]

my irish cutty does get quite hot... but i have not had any cracks... but one thing you have to watch out for (or it might just be because it was my first pipe and i was careless) is discoloration of the bowl from lighting.. I think clay is even more sensitive then briar.. not necissarily an easy smoke - but I enjoy it once in a while..

[TheRealBonger]

I like the idea of clay. It just seems right to give it a go since so many people in history have smoked out of clay. But maybe another day, right now there are too many things on my wish list.

[jkorp]

I have one clay, i've only used it for Christmas Cheer. It seemed like the right thing to smoke it in. I did enjoy it. Clay was the pipe of choice for a long time.

[call-of-the-weird]

Originally Posted by mcdevster

I'm just kind of curious if anyone owns or smokes clay pipes... Probably the clay pipe is the most important pipe in history - yet people rarely mention them these days... any thoughts??

You know thats one sort of pipe Ive just never thought about purchasing... I totally agree with you, the pipe clay is probably the most important pipe historically. Might be an idea to get one for my next pipe purchase.

I may be way off the mark here but is clay pipe making/smoking an Irish thing or did it originate somewhere else? Now that I think about it a lot of tourist souvenir shops here in Ireland seem to sell them...

[RevZeek]

Originally Posted by Mister Moo

Can you overheat and crack a good clay pipe or not?

Not that I'm aware of...the clay itself is fired at pretty high temps to begin with. Also, tossing your clay pipe in the embers of a dying fire is a good way to clean it also.