Bowl diameter question...

[FN in MT]

A couple of new guy questions....

I've noticed that bowl diameter's vary a bit. One inch seems to be the norm. I saw a Savinelli that had 3/8" or more wall thickness but a small bowl, maybe 3/4". I have read that a thicker bowl will smoke cooler. I liked the looks of this pipe...any advantages or disadvantages to a smaller bowl diameter??

FN in MT

[Mad Hatter]

Depending on what type of pipes you prefer I wouldn't agree that a 1" bore is the norm. Only three of my pipes have a diameter that big. Most would fall between .70 and .85. I don't really have enough experience with a larger diameter to say anything for sure but they do have a greater surface area to try to keep lit while smoking, especially during the break in process. As for the wall thickness, that's kind of a matter of personal preference based on experience. 3/8 isn't really bad for wall thickness IMO. My suggestion is to get the pipe and be your own judge.

[Arizona]

Yes 1" is a bit large in bowl diameter. Usually .75" to .85" is more typical. I personally like larger bowls though, to me they're easier to work with as far as filling, tamping, etc.

Go for it and see how you like it.

[Mister Moo]

Seems like 3/4" is the typical chamber ID to me. There is some added challenge in lighting (and keeping lit) larger pipes; the difference from 3/4" to 1" seems more substantial when lighting full bowls rather than 1/2 bowls, though. Still, even a 1/2 bowl from a 1" ID pipe can be a big smoke. I have two Savinelli 1" whopper bowls for the long, evening smoke - I don't grab these pipes often.