Your Essential Buying Guide for Standard Glass Pipes

Smoking devices like bongs and water pipes can make smoking any material – tobacco, herb, or weed – look awesome. According to reports, Americans spend around $40 billion annually on cannabis. Standard Glass Pipes-

The money spent on marijuana and the high demand for the said substance changed how cannabis was being consumed. Instead of smoking, it rolled up with papers; people started to smoke using pipes. 

Today, there’s an abundance of different pipes like the Gandalf pipe, Sherlock pipe, and more. Purchasing one for yourself or giving it a gift can be tricky since you don’t know where to start.

This article will provide you with an essential buying guide to consider when purchasing it for yourself.

Types of Standard Glass Pipes You Can Buy

You can get two types of standard pipes: the Gandalf pipe and the Sherlock pipe. Both come in different shapes, materials, designs, and styles. But which one should you get for yourself?

The pipe is also known as the churchwarden pipe. It is made of wood and has a long stem. Cigars are often smoked via the pipe since it usually has an ash tip that lasts for two hours or more. 

Though there are modern versions of this pipe with shorter stems, its tobacco bowl is still long enough to chill the smoke before it reaches your lips.

The Sherlock pipe is named after the famous detective from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s novels. It was created to imitate a churchwarden pipe’s long and curved stem without compromising on functionality and portability. Since it has a shorter stem, you can easily carry and conceal it in your pocket while taking a hit.

Although both pipes come with unique features and benefits, you may try Gandalf pipes which are known for their elongated bodies.

What Type of Material is Your Pipe Made from?- Standard Glass Pipes

Just like any other smoking device, there are different materials that your Gandalf pipe and Sherlock pipe can be made from glass, wood, metal, plastic, and ceramic.

Glass can come in different colors, sizes, and designs. Even the thickness varies from one glass pipe to another. Some glass material is also colored with a special dye that changes color when heated up or exposed to high temperatures.

This kind of glass material is called fuming glass, and it can help you identify if your pipe has been exposed to high temperatures.

You get a lot of choices when it comes to the design and style you want for your wood pipe. They are usually hand-carved, making each product unique. They are also durable, making them a good choice for heavy smokers. However, wood can also be a breeding ground for bacteria if not cleaned properly after every use.

Metal pipes are usually made from stainless steel, titanium, or aluminum alloy. They’re durable and lightweight, making them ideal for carrying around in your pocket, wallet, or bag pack. But they may also be susceptible to rust and corrosion if not correctly taken care of.

Plastic pipes are usually inexpensive and are an excellent choice for smokers on a budget. But plastic can also break easily, especially with frequent use. They’re also not that easy to clean since you need special solvents and detergents that won’t damage the surface of your pipe.

Ceramic pipes are usually hand-painted and made into many different colors and designs. They’re also durable and easy to maintain since you need a moist cloth for cleaning. However, ceramic pipes may not stand the test of time, mainly if used frequently for smoking cannabis.

When choosing the material that’ll be used for your Sherlock pipe, consider the following factors:

• Material’s durability and resistance to wear and tear 
• Ease of cleaning 
• Price range

What Type of Bowl Does Your Pipe Have?

There are three bowl types that you can choose from: cylindrical, trapezoidal, and spherical. 

Cylindrical bowls have straight walls on either side. Because of its simple design, it is elementary to clean after every use. But because of its simplicity, it can provide less flavor for the smoke.

Trapezoidal bowls are more complex than cylindrical bowls. Aside from its straight walls on both sides, trapezoidal bowls also have angled inner walls that create a narrow passage towards the center of the bowel leading to the tobacco hole. If you’re looking for more robust flavors in your smoke, then trapezoidal bowls are perfect for you. But if you want more smoke, cylindrical bowls may be a better choice.

Spherical bowls have the biggest opening and most expansive surface area, allowing them to hold as much as three times more tobacco than cylindrical and trapezoidal bowls.