Smoking pipe

Smoking pipe- Tobacco pipe, smoking device for smoking tobacco, cut and specially prepared. Pipe smoking is one of the first ways to use it. The pipe was widespread until the beginning of the 20th century, when it was heavily supplanted by cigarettes and cigarettes. Nowadays, pipe smoking is common in a narrow circle of connoisseurs.

Savinelli briar pipe, panel billiards, shape 502-506

The eastern modification of the smoking pipe is a hookah, but it has a more complex system and is used for smoking not only tobacco, but also herbal mixtures.

Modern tube

Over the past three centuries, the pipe itself and the attitude towards it have undergone significant changes. From a simple and cheap smoking device, it has become a part of the image. From a mass product of unknown artisans and large mechanized factories, the pipe is increasingly becoming an expensive piece of quality goods. Instead of template forms, copyright forms are increasingly used. Collecting of rare and highly artistic specimens is developing, and connoisseurs' clubs are formed.

Materials used for manufacturing

Today's good pipe is usually briar or, less commonly, penny. Such a pipe, even factory-made, cannot have a bargain price.

Wood

Briar pipe

Corn cob

Corn stump tube

Quite high-quality and cheap pipes of this type were common in America in the 19th - early 20th centuries. Corn pipe is considered by connoisseurs to be a worthy alternative to briar pipes in terms of "flavor". They burn out quickly (in less than 2 years), after which they have to be replaced with new ones, since this is not a problem due to their low price.

Metal

Tobacco pipe metal is only used to make shank, mouthpiece or trim parts. Tubes with a metal cup (usually of oriental origin), as well as wooden pipes with a strictly conical bowl, are usually intended for drugs like hashish and opium.

Stone

Other materials

The tubes are made from birch, mahogany, or even bread crumb. Recently, plastic tubes have appeared.

Due to the poor characteristics of these materials, these pipes can be considered souvenir.

Tube device

Cutaway smoking pipe

The tube consists of several parts, each of which has specific functions. They are, in principle, the same for all types of tubes.

Cup- this is a round wide part of the pipe, inside which there is a tobacco chamber. The size of the cup depends on the type of tobacco used: large cups are best for tobaccos that burn relatively quickly, small ones for slow smoldering ones.

Tobacco chamber- the portion of the tube cup filled with tobacco. During smoking, a layer of carbon deposits forms on the walls of the tobacco chamber, which protects the wood and absorbs moisture. This protective layer is sometimes applied during the manufacture of the pipe (a process called carbonation), but often does not eliminate the need for manual fumigation.

Chubuk- is a continuation of the cup, they are often made from one piece. The hollow shank serves as a conductor of smoke from the cup to the mouthpiece. Some pipes have holes in the shank through which air enters the flue duct and mixes with the smoke, thereby facilitating smoking.

Mouthpiece- this is the part of the pipe, one end of which the smoker holds in the mouth, and the other is connected to the pipe. He creates tight connection with a shank, but it must be cleaned separately.

There are two main types of mouthpieces: tapered (regular, straight) and curved (saddle). All of them are either with a flat ("wide channel") or with a round ("round channel") hole smoke channel... If the hole is divided internally, such a mouthpiece is called "dual-channel".

Mouthpiece (bite)- This is the end of the mouthpiece, which is held between the teeth and lips. Its shape largely determines the sensations obtained when smoking.

The usual mouthpiece is of the traditional and most common form: the end of the mouthpiece is flat, and the smoke from the channel expanding to the exit falls directly on the tongue. To avoid this, a special type of mouthpiece was invented - the Peterson system. In this case, the smoke comes out through the opening at the top of the mouthpiece towards the palate. In this case, the tip of the tongue is located in a small recess in the mouthpiece. The advantages of this form need to be assessed on your own - for some smokers, the smoke going to the palate is less pleasant than on contact with the tongue. However, pipes with such mouthpieces are a little more difficult to clean.

Mouthpiece neck (trunnion)- the part of the mouthpiece by means of which it is connected to the shank. This is usually the weakest part of the design. It can be made of metal on a cone - usually of silver.

Smoke channel- the space through which the smoke passes from the cup to the mouthpiece through the shank. Can be designed to use a plug-in filter. The quality of the canal finish strongly influences the properties of the pipe as a whole.

Filter- replaceable insert in the smoke channel for regulation and cooling of the smoke flow. Usually made in the form of a cardboard sleeve with activated carbon or paper rolls with a diameter of 3, 6 or 9 mm. There are filters in the form of balsa cylinders, as well as other exotic and homemade constructions... The tube is specially made for a filter of a certain size, but the filter tube can be used without the filter, or with a special reusable insert that replaces it. It is believed that the filter also serves to adsorb nicotine and tar, as well as to reduce the moisture content of tobacco smoke, but its role is much less important than that of a cigarette filter, since the pipe smoker does not inhale. Almost all filters affect the taste sensation, and if the tobacco is too aromatic or pungent, the filter can protect against burning of the tongue. But when smoking high-quality tobacco blends, sometimes the most delicate taste tones are absorbed, which, in fact, give pleasure to the smoker. Balsa, foam or paper filters affect taste less than others. If you do not remove the filter after smoking, then it returns the accumulated moisture to the wood and the pipe simply deteriorates.

Tube accessories

Pack of pipe brushes

Before smoking, the pipe must be filled, when smoking - properly compact the ashes, after smoking - cleaned. The tube needs to be stored somewhere and worn in something. For these reasons, the tube requires a number of related items:

• Trampler, otherwise - tamper. Serves to seal the tobacco in the bowl when filling and when smoking. It happens both as a separate item and as part of a "tee" together with an awl and a spoon. Can be art and collectible.
• Brush. Usually, the brushes are disposable, sold in packs. There are different color, thickness and length. They can be used for crafts, including for children - they can be bent, they are fluffy, keep their shape.
• All sorts of cans for tobacco. An essential requirement for them is that the can is tightly closed and does not have its own strong odor. For this reason, the range of cans is very wide: from washed cans to special, expensive and one-piece. If a pouch is used, then only for carrying with you a supply for a few days. In the factory packaging, tobacco can be stored for a long time only until the packaging is unsealed.
• All kinds of storage stands, from the simplest to large cabinets and shop windows.
• Knives and various other tools for caring for carbon deposits.
• Tube bags. Designed for several pipes, they usually have room for minimal supplies - tobacco, filters, brushes.
• Pipe lighters. Good pipe lighters do not give off any foreign smell, their tongue of flame, unlike conventional lighters, is directed to the side. However, almost the best means of lighting are ordinary matches - they just need to be allowed to flare up.
• Care products such as look polishes, cleaning products, smoking pastes, etc. Benefits from the use of various chemicals for smoking and everyday pipe cleaning is controversial.

On the other hand, quite a few smokers do not care for their pipes in any way and keep them piled up wherever they go. However, they are quite happy with their pipes. When cleaning (which sooner or later will still be required), such tubes require more radical means, in addition, a running tube good master still valued less than the one that was kept neatly.

Pipe smoking

That there is a good pipe

Finding an answer to the question of what a good pipe is is a constant controversy among neophyte pipe smokers. The popular belief among snobs that a good pipe is an expensive pipe is only partly true, as examples of the opposite are abundant. It is true that a good pipe is more likely to be found among the expensive work of trusted craftsmen or well-known manufactories than among cheap pipes of unknown origin.

"Correct" smoking

The most basic rule is that the pipe "Do not tighten", that is, the ingress of tobacco smoke into the lungs is not allowed. The meaning of pipe smoking, according to the numerous opinions of its adherents, is in assessing the taste of tobacco, and only then in saturating the body with nicotine.

Most of the "rules" for pipe smoking are only private opinions on this matter. Only general principles, reflected in numerous FAQs. Competent recommendations only prevent you from committing typical mistakes, which obviously lead to bad or even dangerous results, for example - burns of the tongue and burnout of the tube.

Stuffing methods

Pipe tee

Stuffing a pipe is a purely individual matter, both for a person and for tobacco and pipe. There are a great variety of packing methods.

For shredded tobacco, the following common methods can be distinguished:

• Anyhow
• In two or three stages (sometimes they say, in "two fingers", "three fingers"):
  Scooped from a pouch, or poured, a full pipe of tobacco, crushed to half. After - again "scooped up" completely, crushed to about two-thirds, and so on.
• "Frank method", when the tube is packed using a pre-assembled large lump, significantly larger than the cup of the tube

For compressed tobacco, the following common methods can be distinguished:

• Grind, knead and act like chopped
• Dice and sprinkle
• Cut into plates, roll them up and / or crumple them

A very common mistake is packing too tight, when the tube is pulled tight and constantly extinguishes. Stuffing at competitions for long-term smoking is a separate topic.

Fumigation of the pipe

Every pipe must be fumigated to achieve best taste... There is no reliable recipe for exactly how to do this. In any case, fumigation means a thoughtful transfer of the pipe from a new state to a working state. We can say that a new pipe always requires careful handling, if only because its properties are not yet fully known. Fumigation can lead to unexpected effects - both dramatically improving the properties of the pipe, as well as revealing unpleasant defects and frustration.

Approaches to smoking are highly dependent on the pipe material, pipe construction, tobacco used, personal preference, tradition, and prejudice. There is rarely a highly controversial view that only an experienced smoker should smoke a pipe. The so-called "pre-smoked" pipes, in fact, are only treated in a special way to reduce the risk of burnout and facilitate smoking (so-called "carbonation").

Foam tubes (Meerschaum pipes) according to some sources appeared in 1723 year. Word Meerschaum of German origin and translated very romantic - " sea ​​foam". And this perfectly conveys such characteristics of the mineral as its lightness and whiteness. Foam, one of the most porous minerals in nature (Hydrous Magnesium Silicate or" aphrodite "," sepiolite "), in terms of chemical composition it is magnesium oxide, silica, carbon and water.The heat resistance and ease of handling make the foam extremely suitable material for making smoking pipes with cool and dry smoke. Due to its high absorption properties, the foam acts as a filter that absorbs moisture and tar, which, of course, adds to the pleasure of smoking. Due to these same qualities, over time, the foam tubes are colored in rich honey-brown tones, making the surface more beautiful and at the same time improving taste qualities... Foam pipes, "aristocrats" among all smoking pipes. Smokers know and appreciate the incomparable pleasure of smoking.

MINERAL EXTRACTION

There is a belief that foam is the petrified white crests of waves. In fact, these are just petrified shells of the smallest sea ​​creatures fallen to the bottom many millions of years ago. Today, deposits of top quality foam cannot be found near the sea. Foam is mined only in one place - in Turkey, in the vicinity of the city of Eskisehir, located in 200 kilometers from Istanbul. The sea foam is extracted from depth to 120 meters. The lower the mineral deposits, the denser, more homogeneous in composition, better amenable to processing and, accordingly, more expensive. Therefore, often a large piece of mineral, but with large inclusions and looser, costs less than one extracted from great depth small block. Mining sea foam is a tricky business and has only been done by a few families for generations. The average size of the recoverable block is approximately the size of a grapefruit. The extracted raw materials are washed and sorted into five quality categories. Each of the 5 categories is further divided into 12 varieties depending on color, porosity and uniformity. In the 80s, the material related " meershaum"was discovered in South Africa- Called Manx Meerschaum, it is heavier, but less dense and less porous than Turkish foam. Unlike the foam from Turkey, which simply dries up, Manx Meerschaum requires heating in oil to make the pipes look like they've been smoked for a long time.

PIPE MANUFACTURING

Sea foam is a great "smoking" material: it, of course, heats up, but not as much as clay and porcelain (although it is not as fragile), and unlike pipes made from plant materials, it does not burn. In addition, it has good hygroscopicity, perfectly absorbing moisture and resins. The first foam tube was cut around 300 years ago. V 1723 year to the Austrian count Andrassi he was presented in Turkey with a piece of mineral that seemed to him similar to the clay from which his pipe was made, and he ordered a new copy from this material to the Austrian master Karl Kovat. But the master saved money and made a second pipe for himself. After a while after constantly smoking his pipe, as it were, " tanned"- nicotine juices gave sea foam a completely unique deep color. People began to pay attention to a beautiful and interesting pipe, and they gained a certain popularity. Now many" meershaums "are artificially aging, passing them off as old ones. In Austria, Germany and England, they quickly acquired a huge popularity - the craftsmen carved on the pipe the most incredible ancient subjects, portraits of rulers and historical figures. The higher the quality and the larger the piece of foam and the more complicated the carving, the more the pipe was appreciated. However, these criteria determine the cost of pipes in our time. , as well as many years ago, the foam pipes are unique and inimitable works of art, because they are cut exclusively by hand. best block mineral. It is selected based on block size, density, color and saturation. Then the carver must, after carefully examining each piece of the mineral, calculate and feel all the necessary, optimal splitting lines. The workpieces split in this way are immersed in water for 15 -30 minutes to reach the consistency of cheese. Working with soft material the cutter selects the approximate, rough shape of both the tube itself and the holes of the cup and shank. When the foam is well moistened (it can only be processed soaked, then it can be easily processed), then the material is so soft that the rough shape of the tube appears from a piece of foam literally within a couple of minutes. If you want a simple tube with a classic shape, it can be made in about ten minutes. But pipes with carvings on antique subjects, either freehands, or with other ornaments are usually appreciated. The final finishing of the pipe is a long process, and the quality depends on the skill of the cutter. After thoroughly polishing with the finest abrasive, the foam is ready for waxing. Although there are many different types artificial wax, only with natural beeswax associates the color of the most beautiful collectible pipes. Melted decolorized wax is used for polishing. The very subtle nuances of color and tone of the new tube are achieved by applying and polishing different numbers of wax layers, how they are applied, etc. In addition to the pipes, whose cup is completely made of sea foam, there is classic model- Calabash, so beloved by Mark Twain and the fictional character Sherlock Holmes. Kalabash is a pipe made of stone gourd with a sea foam cartridge inserted into the cup, which, in fact, is a chamber for tobacco. Today many manufacturers also use sea foam trimmings for their cheap models. This is very reasonable: the foam tobacco chamber is quite stylish, and besides, it does not need to be smoked. In the last century, foam pipes were cut not only in Turkey, but also in Germany, Austria, Hungary, France and other countries. Now well-known European firms place orders for the production of pipes in Turkey and sell them under their own name, only changing the mouthpieces. This is due to the fact that the export of raw foam is prohibited, since it is a national treasure of Turkey. Most of the Turkish masters making decent pipes work almost exclusively for export. The main markets for sea foam products are Germany, Japan, USA.

COLORING AND TYPES

Due to the natural porosity of the mineral, when smoking, the pipe changes its color quite quickly from white to golden, cherry red or brown. And since each piece of the mineral is unique in itself, then each tube is colored for different time and in different, unpredictable shades. It is impossible to predict the color time in advance. It could be 2 months and 12 months. The coloring is also influenced by such factors as the frequency and intensity of smoking, the type of tobacco. But in to a greater extent yet it is the frequency of smoking than tobacco.

It should be noted that there are three types of foam:
- natural, blocky foam;
- pressed, molded, made by pressing foam crumbs;
- and artificial foam made of polymer materials.
One should not expect the same qualities from pipes made of artificial or pressed foam as from natural block foam. This applies to both the color and the absorbent properties of the material and thus the taste of the pipe when smoked. Actually, the last two types, that is, pressed and artificial foam, are, in fact, fakes. Artificial, polymer foam has a smoother, almost mirror-like surface. It is a very homogeneous mass, not as porous and fragile as natural block foam. Most likely, you can distinguish them by simply scratching the surface with your fingernail, trying to remove thin shavings. Natural foam is scratched more easily and its chips are fragile, crumbling under the nail. Artificial is more like plastic - elastic, more dense, it is more difficult to scratch and chips practically do not crumble. The pressed foam is much more granular than natural and due to the heterogeneity and lower viscosity of the structure when smoking, that is, rather sharp heating, it often crumbles and breaks in the hands. In short, try not to take a pipe of artificial, pressed foam, regardless of the sometimes significant difference in prices. Natural foam tubes are now ONLY cut in Turkey. Some companies buy ready-made pipes there, and change the mouthpieces for their own. Typically, these pipes are branded as Block meerschaum. But also not always.

PIPE CARE

There are many misconceptions about mea pipes. Remember that no two pipes are alike, no two smokers are alike. Do not be afraid to pick up the pipe again and smoke it. This does not harm her at all. The foam pipe, in addition to the usual pleasure of smoking, also gives additional pleasure with its color, shape, carving, pattern. Having bought a foam pipe, remember that your new purchase is very delicate and fragile. It must not be dropped, ash must not be knocked out of it. Ashes need to be removed from your trowel with a spatula, and very carefully so as not to injure inner surface cameras. Then the pipe “grows old” beautifully, acquires a noble appearance and will bring joy to its owner for a long time. There is a misconception that Meershaum pipes are not smoked and that they "do not acquire taste." In fact, you don't need to smoke the foam pipes in the sense in which you smoke heather pipes - you can fill a cup the first time and enjoy your pipe without going through the painful (for some) smoking procedure. In the course of time, carbon deposits form in the foam tube, in which it heats up less and thanks to which it acquires a taste. Unlike briar pipes, which must be dried after each smoking, the foam pipe can be smoked many times a day due to the high absorption of the material.

FUME CHANNEL CLEANING

To clean the smoke channel in the pipes, a cotton cloth is used, wound on a metal rod, which passes through the entire pipe inside the shank and the mouthpiece. Cleaners are quite inexpensive and are divided into two main types: soft and fuzzy to remove moisture, and thin and flexible to remove solid deposits inside the flue duct If the pipe becomes dirty, use cotton or any other soft tissue, drip it with a liquid containing a small amount of alcohol and gently wipe the tube until the dirt is removed. Just remember that this must be done without fail after the tube has completely cooled down. And it is desirable that the liquid does not have a pronounced odor. Therefore lotions, Eau de Toilette and other perfumes are categorically not suitable. However, if you like Mac Baren with the refreshing Eau Sauvage from Dior, then the bottle is in your hands and full speed ahead. Air freshener Liquid tube cleaner, removes bad smell and the tar accumulated in the flue channel also gives a pleasant and fresh smell to the pipe as a whole. Never wash your pipe in hot water and don't scratch it outer surface... It should be noted that I read the following on one memo for foam pipe smokers: "You should not boil your pipe, especially with the use of cleaning and bleaching agents." It’s strange that they didn’t mention washing machine and an abrasive machine with victorious brushes for cleaning rocket nozzles from carbon deposits. Never bang on a hard surface with the pipe to knock out ash. In the case of a heather pipe, you will simply break it; in the case of a heather pipe, you will be considered a barbarian and savage. Except when using special pipe ashtrays with a cork bit. The foam tube does not require carbon deposits inside the cup, as, say, a briar tube. Therefore, as necessary, clean the cup from the carbon deposits that have appeared. This should be done with a non-sharp, rounded instrument. Be extremely careful when cleaning the bottom of the cup where the smoke duct exits, as the foam is moist and soft immediately after smoking. Be careful when removing the mouthpiece from the tube. Be sure to hold the pipe with your fingers by the shank, and the mouthpiece itself, lightly, without tension, pull towards yourself, while turning it clockwise. Do the same when you insert it. It would not be an exaggeration to say that over hundreds of years, foam pipes have acquired a reputation for being the most pleasant and comfortable to smoke. Also because each pipe is not only an ordinary smoking device, but also a unique piece of art. self made, made according to traditions handed down by craftsmen from generation to generation. Of course, this cannot but give the owner of such a pipe some additional pride and satisfaction from the mere consciousness of owning such a thing.

At the places of their settlements, archaeologists have found ancient pipes depicting various subjects, animals, people. What do modern smoking pipes? What types and types are they? What materials are they made of and is it possible to make a pipe with your own hands? You will learn about all this from this article.

The design of a modern smoking pipe

To begin with, let's understand the design features of the smoking room consists of several parts that have a specific purpose.

A bowl is a rounded part of a pipe filled with tobacco. The size of this part can be different and depends on what kind of tobacco the pipe is intended for.

A tobacco chamber is a recess in a bowl for filling with tobacco.

The chubuk is the part of the pipe that runs from the bowl to the mouthpiece. There may be several small holes letting in air. This makes the smoking process easier.

Through the smoke channel, smoke flows from the bowl to the mouthpiece. The quality of the manufacture of the smoke channel largely depends on the properties of the smoking pipe.

The mouthpiece is hermetically connected to the shank. It can be straight or curved, flat or round hole smoke channel. In some types of pipes, the hole can be divided into two parts, such a mouthpiece will be called two-channel.

Mouthpiece - the end of the mouthpiece, which is placed in the mouth, between the teeth and lips. The feeling during smoking largely depends on the quality and shape of this part of the pipe. Most often, the mouthpiece has a traditional shape, but in some cases the smoke hole is located at the top of it so that the smoke rises to the palate without touching the tongue.

The neck connects the mouthpiece to the shank. Made of silver or other materials.

The filter is designed to cool down the smoke. It can be made of paper, cardboard, balsa wood, foam. The smoking pipe can be used without a filter. After smoking, the filter must be removed so that the pipe does not deteriorate. Many people refuse to use the filter, as they believe that it hides some shades of tobacco flavor.

Now you know what the tube consists of. The material from which this accessory is made is also of great importance. Consider what pipes are made of.

Briard

Briar pipes are very popular. Briar is a heather root thickening. A bowl with a shank is turned from it, the mouthpiece is made from other materials. Briar tubing is durable and does not heat up. They are easy to clean.

They can be of various qualities and vary greatly in price. Cheap, poor quality briar pipes can be putty. Over time, the putty will begin to stand out in color and may fly off.

Wood

Wooden pipes are also quite popular. The tube can be made from a single piece of wood or can be stacked. Only a bowl can be made of wood. The pipes are made from apple, pear, cherry, beech and precious woods. A tree with a pungent odor, resinous, coniferous is not suitable.

Wooden pipes burn out over time, and they have to be replaced. After use, such a tube requires a long drying time. Products are comparatively cheap, except for those made of valuable breeds wood.

Corn

Corn pipes are cut from the stalk, which is the core of the corn cob. The tube is very light, cheap, but short-lived. It is fragile and burns out quickly, so it will have to be changed often, perhaps several times a year.

The corn pipe is easy to clean, filters smoke well and absorbs moisture.

Clay

They were once widespread, but today they are most often used as an original gift or souvenir. The tube can be made of clay entirely or have only an earthen bowl.

It is not very convenient to use a clay pipe for its intended purpose, because it is fragile, cracks from temperature extremes (it cannot be smoked in the cold), and it gets very hot. But the clay pipes decorated with carvings and various ornaments look great as an element of the collection.

Foam

Foam is a rare natural material consisting of the smallest pressed shells. The foam is strong, durable. It absorbs moisture well, does not heat up and does not fade, and is easy to clean. The foam tube is considered to be one of the best.

But all these advantages apply only to tubes cut from a single block of foam! If pressed crumb is used to make an accessory, then the quality of the product drops significantly, it loses all its advantages and becomes extremely fragile. In order not to purchase such a fake, you need to remember that a foam pipe is expensive and you cannot buy it in every store.

Pumpkin

A very rare and valuable material for making pipes is gourd-gourd. The tobacco chamber of such pipes is made of foam or porcelain. But purchasing a natural pumpkin can be difficult, most often the gourd is imitated with the help of other materials.

Tube shapes

How are smoking pipes different in shape? The photos show that there is a wide variety of tube shapes and types. The shape and height of the bowl, bending differ. There are several classifications of smoking pipes, we will consider several main types.

Types of smoking pipes by shape:

• Billiards is the most common group of forms. Almost cylindrical shank and bowl. The chubuk and the assembled mouthpiece are a bit like a cue, hence the name of the form.
• Chimney - resembles a billiards table with a deep tobacco chamber and a tall bowl. Such a pipe is intended for an experienced smoker, as it smokes for several hours and the tobacco can die out.
• Liverpool - billiards with a long shank and a short mouthpiece.
• Lovat - resembles a liverpool with a saddle-shaped mouthpiece.
• Canadian - has a long flattened shank with an oval section and a short mouthpiece.
• Bulldog - has a bowl consisting of two cones with a diamond-shaped shank in proportion.
• Dublin is a conical bowl, wide at the top and narrow at the bottom.
• Poker - has a flat bottom, so the pipe can be placed on the table.
• Sweat - the bowl resembles a pot, the tube is massive, with thick walls.
• The prince is a low bowl, curved mouthpiece.
• The apple is a very popular ball shape.
• Tomato - has an oval bowl.
• Brandy - the bowl repeats the shape of the glass for the drink of the same name.
• Egg - accordingly, the bowl is shaped like an egg.
• Freehends are non-canon pipes.

How to choose a tube

In a store with a wide assortment, a beginner can simply get confused - such an abundance of sizes, shapes, materials. Is it possible to buy a pipe you just like, or is it necessary to pay attention to its characteristics? The choice of the first such thing is important, since it depends on it whether you enjoy smoking and become a person who loves smoking pipes. How to choose a pipe for a beginner? There are several points to pay attention to.

The first thing to decide is the shape of the tube. Better to choose a simple classic cylindrical shape. The fact is that some pipes require more attention when smoking, they can go out, etc. The product should be pleasant and comfortable to hold in your hand.

The next choice is curved or straight tube. Very often, beginners are attracted to models with a strong bend. But handling such a pipe requires some experience. For the first time, straight lines or with a slight bend are best.

One of the most controversial questions is whether a filter is needed in the tube. It somewhat softens and conceals the taste of tobacco. Each smoker decides for himself which pipe to choose.

The pipe filter does not affect the quality of smoking, so here you can be guided by your own preferences.

How to make a pipe with your own hands

A smoking pipe is a skillful and elegant object. Only a master can make a good pipe. For initial processing, tools, a machine and a drill are used, and final processing is done only by hand. If you want to make a smoking pipe yourself, then you need not only to have necessary knowledge and be able to work with your hands, but also have tools. If you want to make a high-quality thing, then be prepared for the fact that a hand-made smoking pipe will cost more than buying a new one.

The fact is that it consists of fairly subtle details. Great importance has the quality of a smoke channel. It is quite difficult to cut and process the smoke duct and the tobacco chamber well. But if you still want to make your own smoking pipe, you can purchase a special blank, the so-called hobby block. made from a hobby block, requires a minimum of tools.

A hobby block is a rectangular or cube-shaped piece of wood in which a tobacco chamber and a smoke channel have already been made. A plastic mouthpiece is already attached to the workpiece. It turns out that all delicate work, which requires special knowledge, has already been done, and the owner of the hobby block is left with the most interesting thing - to come up with the shape of the bowl and give these outlines to the workpiece. After cutting the shape, the bowl must be sanded and polished.

The process of working with a hobby block is good because it is interesting, gives room for imagination and, which is very important, in the end you will get a really high-quality smoking pipe. The choice of hobby blocks is wide enough; they differ in the shape of the mouthpiece, the diameter and height of the tobacco bowl. With these blanks, you can make good and different smoking pipes at home.

Despite the fact that the word "foam" is mainly used in a slightly different sense, among tobacco users, this term refers primarily to the material used to make pipes. It is a marine mineral, and currently only foam is used in pipe production, which is mined in Turkey, near the city of Eskisehir. This, however, does not mean that you need to dive to the seabed for foam: we are talking about fossilized minerals that are mined at a depth of about 100 meters underground.

The history of the use of foam in the manufacture of smoking pipes is associated with the name of the Austrian nobleman Andrassi, who was once presented with a piece of raw foam as a souvenir. His friend Karl Kovat offered to put a beautiful souvenir on pipes and personally made a couple of such products - for himself and for Andrassi. This happened in 1723.

Foam tubes

Pipes were in use long before that, but in the past they were made primarily of clay. With the advent of foam pipes, clay as a raw material for this product faded into the background, being unable to resist the undoubted advantages of the new material.

So, one of the most important properties of a foam pipe for smokers is that it absolutely does not distort the taste of tobacco smoke, since it does not have its own pronounced aromatic shade. At the same time, the foam is a very unpretentious material in operation: it does not require preliminary preparation before the first session of smoking, for example, warming up or "smoking", and is not afraid of burning out, since it is a fairly strong mineral. In addition, the porous structure of the foam is the reason that it dries quickly enough that it can be used for smoking more often than other types of pipes.

However, due to its porous structure, the foam tube intensively absorbs tobacco smoke, as a result of which, after several smoking sessions, it noticeably changes its appearance, covered with yellowish stains. However, experts say that such a pattern gives each pipe its individuality and does not consider it a disadvantage.

Nevertheless, there are still drawbacks to a tube made of foam. Since the foam is natural material, it is quite fragile: if such a tube is dropped on a hard floor, it is likely to break. Therefore, you need to handle it with care, observing accuracy even during the cleaning process.

Meerschaum pipes, according to some sources, appeared in 1723. The word Meerschaum is of German origin and translates as "sea foam". And this perfectly conveys such characteristics of the mineral as its lightness and whiteness.
Foam, one of the most porous minerals in nature (Hydrous Magnesium Silicate or "aphrodite", "sepiolite"), and its heat resistance and ease of processing make it extremely suitable for the manufacture of pipes with cool and dry smoke. Due to its high absorption properties, the foam acts as a filter that absorbs moisture and tar, which, of course, adds to the pleasure of smoking. Due to these same qualities, over time, the foam tubes are colored in rich honey-brown tones, making the surface more beautiful and at the same time improving the taste. Foam pipes, "aristocrats" among all smoking pipes. Smokers know and appreciate the incomparable pleasure they get from smoking.

Mineral extraction
There is a belief that foam is the petrified white crests of waves. In fact, these are just fossilized shells of the smallest sea creatures that fell to the bottom many millions of years ago. Today, deposits of top quality foam cannot be found near the sea. They were found only in one place in the world, on an open plain in central Turkey, in the vicinity of the town of Eskisehir, in deposits of red clay on an area of ​​only 4 square meters. miles. (True, according to other sources, it seems that foam is also mined in East Africa.)
The raw foam is mined from a depth of 200 to 300 feet. Only a few families have been engaged in this trade for several generations. The average size of the recoverable block is approximately the size of a grapefruit. The extracted raw materials are washed and sorted into five quality categories. Each of the 5 categories is further divided into 12 varieties based on color, porosity and uniformity.

Foam tube production
The first mezzanine pipes were carved about 300 years ago. And today, these unique pipes are cut entirely by hand. The first step of a craftsman, a carver, is to select the best block of minerals. It is selected based on block size, density, color and saturation. Then the carver must, after carefully examining each piece of the mineral, calculate, feel all the necessary, optimal splitting lines. The workpieces split in this way are immersed in water for 15-30 minutes to achieve the consistency of cheese. Working with soft material, the cutter selects the approximate, rough shape of both the tube itself and the holes in the cup and shank. Further, after fine refinement, the tube goes into the furnace with high temperature in order to remove all moisture from the mineral. After thoroughly polishing with the finest abrasive, the foam is ready for waxing. Although there are many different types of artificial wax, only natural beeswax is associated with the color of the most beautiful collectible tubes. Melted decolorized wax is used for polishing. The very subtle nuances of color and tone of the new tube are achieved by applying and polishing different numbers of wax layers, how they are applied, etc.

Coloration
Due to the natural porosity of the mineral, when smoking, the foam pipes change their color quite quickly from white to golden, cherry red or brown. And since each piece of the mineral is unique in itself, then each tube is colored at different times and in different, unpredictable shades. It is impossible to predict the color time in advance. It can be 2 months or 12 months. The coloring is also influenced by such factors as the frequency and intensity of smoking, the type of tobacco. But to a greater extent it is the frequency of smoking than tobacco.

It should be noted that there are two, or rather, even three types of foam:
- natural, blocky foam;
- pressed, molded, made by pressing foam chips
- and artificial foam made of polymer materials.
One should not expect the same qualities from pipes made of artificial or pressed foam as from natural block foam. This applies to both the color and the absorbent properties of the material and thus the taste of the pipe when smoked. Actually, the last two types, that is, pressed and artificial foam, are in fact fakes.

Artificial, polymer foam has a smoother, almost mirror-like surface. It is a very homogeneous mass, not as porous and fragile as natural block foam. Most likely, you can distinguish them by simply scratching the surface with your fingernail, trying to remove thin shavings. Natural foam is scratched more easily and its chips are fragile, crumbling under the nail. Artificial is more like plastic - elastic, more dense, it is more difficult to scratch and chips practically do not crumble. The pressed foam is much more granular than natural and due to the heterogeneity and lower viscosity of the structure when smoking, that is, rather sharp heating, it often crumbles and breaks in the hands.
In short, try not to take a pipe of artificial, pressed foam, regardless of the sometimes significant difference in prices.
Natural foam tubes are now ONLY cut in Turkey. Some companies buy ready-made pipes there, and change the mouthpieces for their own. Typically, these pipes are branded as Block meerschaum. But also not always.

Foam Tube Care
There are many misconceptions about mea pipes. Remember that no two pipes are alike, no two smokers are alike. Do not be afraid to pick up the pipe again and smoke it. This does not harm her at all. The foam pipe, in addition to the usual pleasure of smoking, also gives additional pleasure with its color, shape, carving, pattern.
Unlike briar pipes, which must be dried after each smoking, foam pipes can be smoked many times a day due to the high absorption of the material.
If the tube becomes dirty, take a cotton cloth or any other soft cloth, drip it with a liquid containing a small amount of alcohol and gently wipe the tube until the dirt is removed. Just remember that this must be done without fail after the tube has completely cooled down. And it is desirable that the liquid does not have a pronounced odor. Therefore, lotions, eau de toilette and other perfumes are categorically unsuitable. However, if you like Mac Baren with the refreshing Eau Sauvage from Dior, then the bottle is in your hands and full speed ahead.

Never wash the tubing in hot water or scrub the outside of the tubing. It should be noted that on one memo for smokers of foam pipes I read the following: "You should not boil your pipe, especially with the use of cleaning and bleaching agents."
Never bang on a hard surface with the pipe to knock out ash. In the case of a heather pipe, you will simply break it; in the case of a heather pipe, you will be considered a barbarian and savage. Except when using special pipe ashtrays with a cork knocker.
Foam tubing does not require carbon deposits inside the cup like, say, briar tubing. Therefore, as necessary, clean the cup from the carbon deposits that have appeared. This should be done with a non-sharp, rounded instrument.

Be extremely careful when cleaning the bottom of the cup where the smoke duct exits, as the foam is moist and soft immediately after smoking.
Be careful when removing the mouthpiece from the tube. Be sure to hold the pipe with your fingers by the shank, and the mouthpiece itself, lightly, without tension, pull towards yourself, while turning it clockwise. Do the same when you insert it.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that over hundreds of years, foam pipes have acquired a reputation for being the most pleasant and comfortable to smoke. Also because each pipe is not only an ordinary smoking device, but also a unique handmade artwork, made according to the traditions passed down by craftsmen from generation to generation. Of course, this cannot but give the owner of such a pipe some additional pride and satisfaction from the mere consciousness of owning such a thing.