Making Clay Pipes

[jfserama]

Anyone know anything about the process of making a clay pipe? I'm interested in attempting this, but I'm not sure what the process involves.

1. What type of clay is used?

2. How is it formed? I assume a mold is used?

3. Is there anything done to it besides firing?

If anyone can answer those it would be great!

[Reverie Forest]

I've watched a couple youtube videos on it, but with little detail...sounds like we need the Discovery channel's "How It's Made" to get on this.

[jfserama]

That's about the best I could find as well...

[Mister Moo]

Originally Posted by jfserama

Anyone know anything about the process of making a clay pipe? I'm interested in attempting this, but I'm not sure what the process involves.

1. What type of clay is used?

2. How is it formed? I assume a mold is used?

3. Is there anything done to it besides firing?

If anyone can answer those it would be great!

I have one antique-ish* clay pipe which is believed to have been made in Virginia or North Carolina. IIRC it shows a mold mark and had had decorative (or strengthening) ridges lines formed into the wet clay before it was fired. This pipe is dark reddish-brown, characteristic of the clay in western NC and southwestern VA. The shank hole is tapered and accepts a shaved reed to a snug fit. I never had the nerve to smoke it.



Read more about clay pipes:

The official site of Colonial Williamsburg - Hunting for a Little Ladle: Tobacco Pipes

A beginner's guide to clay pipes (long) - alt.smokers.pipes | Google Groups



*my father-in-law got it 50-years ago from an old guy he knew in his home area (Wilkes County, NC)