Their proponents claim that, unlike other materials, a well-made clay pipe gives a “pure” smoke with no flavour addition from the pipe bowl. In addition to aficionados, reproductions of historical clay styles are used by some historical re-enactors. Clay pipes were once very popular in Ireland, where they were calleddudeens. The name “Missouri Meerschaum” was formed to reflect that the Missouri made corn cob pipes smoked in a similar fashion to Meerschaum pipes sought after in Europe.
A tipped cigar made with hand-crafted pipe tobacco that delivers a hands-down unique Filling cut tobacco smoking experience. There are huge numbers of artisan pipe carvers creating beautiful work. Tobacco blends are very similar to the insurgence in craft beer and wines.
My memories of pipe smokers go back to the ‘50s and’60s when pipe smoking was very popular. You may have seen pictures, movies or television shows of some notable people smoking pipes. 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).
Tobacco was introduced to Europe from the Americas in the 16th century and spread around the world rapidly. Margit and Aage Bisgaard established Bisgaard Pipes in 1963 and the company quickly became known worldwide for selling smoking pipes in exclusive design and very good quality. Whether you know just what you want or you’re still figuring it out, we want to help. Our aim is to always have the perfect smoking pipe and tobacco for you. While you may lose all of your social network friends, you are likely to improve your image; you might be perceived as having a high IQ.
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. Favored by the likes of J.R.R. Tolkien, Albert Einstein, C.S. Lewis and countless other famous pipe enthusiasts, the Billiard continues to be a well-esteemed shape by pipe smokers today. The most likely explanation for the origin of its name is the French word for stick, bille. It may have been so called because its round, straight shank was reminiscent of a billiard cue. A Billiard’s bowl is cylindrical from top to bottom, and usually measures about 1.5 – 2″ tall.
Some cultures of the indigenous peoples of the Americas smoke tobacco in ceremonial pipes, and have done so since long before the arrival of Europeans. For instance the Lakota people use a ceremonial pipe called čhaŋnúŋpa. Other cultures of the indigenous peoples of the Americas smoke tobacco socially.2 The tobacco plant is native to South America but spread into North America long before Europeans arrived.