Metal pipes became popular in Norway in the 1760s, but Meerschaum still lasted a century. An economically friendly alternative needed to be found, or cigars and cigarettes would usher in a pipeless future. Meerschaum is still used today, mostly as carved decorative pipes from Asia for the tourist trade. Still, these fragile pipes were too expensive for a long-term habit. The long handle prevented hands and lips from touching the burning hot bowl of the pipe, but they also broke off constantly. You can clean the used tobacco pipe by soaking it in a mild detergent plus water solution overnight.
There are huge numbers of artisan pipe carvers Fashion tobacco pipe creating beautiful work. Tobacco blends are very similar to the insurgence in craft beer and wines. Becoming a bit more commonplace today, the Squat Tomato is stunning with a dark sandblasted finish, a contrasting shank extension, and a smooth rim. Perhaps no shape embodies that of the smoking pipe more clearly than the classic Billiard.
Calabash gourds (usually with meerschaum or porcelain bowls set inside them) have long made prized pipes, but they are labour-intensive and, today, quite expensive. Because of this expense, pipes with bodies made of wood (usually mahogany) instead of gourd, but with the same classic shape, are sold as calabashes. Both wood and gourd pipes are functionally the same (with the important exception that the dried gourd, usually being noticeably lighter, sits more comfortably in the mouth). The internet is a great boon to the pipe smoking enthusiast hoping to purchase an excellent pipe or locate some rare tobacco. One can directly contact many of today’s very best artisan pipe makers, online retailers, most brick and mortar shops and there are literally tens of thousands of items under “ pipes” on Ebay. However, a huge percentage of them are, if not junk, then at least not to be recommended.
The grain of the wood is quite fine, and it’s much harder than previous materials. While it was almost as fragile as its predecessor, Meerschaum did reign supreme as a pipe material for about a century. Artists loved it for its ability Fashion tobacco pipe to be carved into anything; smokers appreciated that the material, once hardened in the sun or a warm room, offered a smooth smoking experience. If you notice stem bores of around 5/64” to 4/64”, it’s likely a tobacco pipe from the late 18th century or later.