Wooden pipes are classic smoking devices that have been around for thousands of years. Although the peak season for pipe smokers lies somewhat in the past, smoking using wooden pipes has never really died out. Many connoisseurs swear by the enjoyment of herbs and tobacco using a pipe instead of cigarettes or cigars, as proper pipe smoking is not only more homely, but almost an art in itself.
We distinguish between different types of wooden pipes. While the small pure pipes with or without metal insert for the combustion chamber as well as multi-piece long pipes in the style of a peace pipe are often found in head shops, they practically only make up the smallest share of the pipe market. More often, one encounters designs that are equipped with a pipe bowl made of wood (e.g. bruyére) or sepiolite (meerschaum) as well as a plastic stem that allows the use of a filter - mainly filled with activated charcoal. Connoisseurs of wooden pipes distinguish between 20 and 50 different pipe designs, depending on the construction and design of the mouthpiece.
Basically, there is no serious difference between a tobacco pipe and a hash or herbal pipe. Based on their design, they have more in common than they have differences. Both pipes benefit from being seasoned in, exude their own individual aroma and should never be cleaned under running water. However, where a pipe for herbs can be smoked comparatively quickly with a small filling quantity, in contrast, a tobacco pipe is puffed leisurely with a well-stuffed quantity of pipe tobacco over a prolonged period of time and, if necessary, also lit several times.
