First, get your minds out of the gutta’. We’re talking about cigars and pipes!
Cigars can simply be split into two shape categories, Parejos: a traditional shape with a rounded or flat head and a consistent ring gauge from head to foot. And then Figurados: or figured shape, are contoured on either one or both ends, and the ring gauge will taper through the length of the cigar…. All in various ring gauges.
Now with pipes you’ll have “Nose Warmers”, where the length is commonly below 5 inches, and “Magnums”, giant XL pipes in size and length, with somewhat larger than normal chamber sizes. (in most cases)
In between these two are your “normal” pipe shapes in sizes that are more practical for the average pipe smoker. Think: Apple, Brandy, Acorns, Billiards, Authors, Rhodesians, Bulldogs.. and many more, including both bent and straight versions… and in a plethora of aesthetics.
But let’s just take one cigar as an example for this scenario to compare and “learn ya” how the size and your chosen aesthetics may guide your pipe selection.
Alec Bradley Black Market, Gordo 6×60, Robusto 5.25×52 and Churchill 7×50… And a few pipe shapes from my collection.
Obviously with a Churchill, the lit end is much farther away from your palate than a Robusto when lighting. So, the creamy and nutty profile of almonds, cedar, and coffee beans that you expect, from say a Churchill is more intensified when lighting the same cigar in the shorter Robusto. Now, how hot a cigar burns is dependent on the ring gauge. Thicker cigars burn slower than thinner ones, and typically the cigars wrapper will account for about 70% of the cigars direct flavor, so in a thicker cigar there’s a higher ratio of filler and binder leaves which can dilute the flavor of the wrapper. And in a thinner cigar the wrapper leaf accounts for a greater portion of the blend and will deliver more intensity and taste as a result.
The same comparison can be made with pipes and pipe tobacco… A smaller pipe will have a smaller chamber, hence burning hotter and depending on your cadence, much hotter than a billiard with a larger chamber..
(The chamber of a pipe btw is where the tobacco goes, the pipes bowl is the outside of the chamber, the part visually accessible, where you might hold the pipe)
Now unlike cigars which are made to be lit enjoyed and then essentially “move on.” A pipe is a tool for many, MANY enjoyable smokes, so the aesthetics that draw you to them, in some cases are also part of the engineering for a more pleasurable smoking experience. Adding bamboo as an example, in place of the briar as the shank, will make even a nose warmer smoke a little cooler. A longer pipe in comparison will inherently provide a cooler smoke, like the 7×50 Churchill. We’ll get in to bowl wall thickness another time, as that’s what will dictate your cadence, so as to not burn your hand!
And yes… The aesthetics can be extreme, as you can see from some of my custom pieces.
This rambling about size, shape and smoking characteristics, is merely to give you a comparison as to how various pipes will behave VS. cigars which most of you already know. So, when looking for your first pipe, you’ll have some insight into what you might want to consider, or if you already have one, why it may not be as kind to you as you would have hoped.
So, in my next rambling of stuff stuck in my head, I’ll go over tobacco types, genres and more importantly cuts and how to prepare them for smoking. And suggest which types of pipe shapes, and chambers each may present the best flavor and a more enjoyable smoking experience.
Keep in mind, there’s nothing wrong with a cob as your first pipe, or only pipes!
And when I mentioned I’ve been doing this for a while… I meant it! You can find many more examples of pipe shapes, sizes and aesthetics on my Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jfurman631/
Jay Furman
After getting my first pipe at the age of 16, I’ve been enjoying the worlds offering of Pipes and Cigars for nearly 40 years. All that means is that there’s still more for me to explore, learn and enjoy. Born in Brooklyn and raised on Long Island I’m a New Yawker’ through and through, but also have a craving for the outdoors. So, whenever I have the opportunity, I can often be found wading a river or stream with a cigar or pipe in my mouth and hopefully a trout on the end of my line.
My humblest moment is when I was honored with the 2024 award as “Master of Pipes” by the CPCC. If there’s ever a question or comment with anything you’ve read by me, feel free to always reach out through my IG @JFurman631