Clay pipes have been around for centuries, if not longer. Clay is very easy to mold, therefore many shapes and sizes are possible. There are very straightforward designs, replicas of vintage pipes, through to more elaborate figurine designs.

Clay pipes are almost always made from a very fine white clay. The more low quality clay pipes are not actually made from clay but, from porcelain poured into a mould. These pipes are actually porous and of low quality, adding unfavorable flavors during a smoke. Top quality clays are made in a very labor-intensive process, requiring all the air to be beaten out of the clay. Each pipe is then hand rolled prior to molding, piercing with fine wire, finishing off with careful firing.

Normally, clay pipes are left un-glazed, as clays burn hot compared to other kinds of pipes, making them difficult for the majority of pipe smokers to smoke. Smokers that favour clay pipes claim that a well made clay pipe gives more of a pure smoke than other pipes, with no added flavor from the pipes bowl. Once considered disposable items, large numbers of clay pipes were thrown out in the past. They are now often used to assist in dating by industrial archaeologists.

 Mail this post