Stoneware Pipes!? ...anyone?

[justintdunn]

I have been an avid pipe smoker for a long time now. I have also been an artist for longer. a month or so ago, i had an epiphany to give up painting and drawing for awhile...i mean everyone paints right? well, i decided to be a sculptor, and started working with Stoneware to make things. Then, for a friend i decided to make a pipe. i made this one with the Whiskey holding Scotsman on the end.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/13597939@N00/6177887442/

well, that gave me a new appetite for pipe making that i just cant stop feeding. i love it. so i made my second one:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/13597939@N00/6177359977/

so heres my question....why are Clay pipes so rare? i get that wood and other materials are far superior and durable than clay would ever be...but it just seems like something more people would do. is there something about clay pipes that i do not know about?

keep in mind, my first one is coming back from its second kiln trip soon. so then i will smoke and may answer the question for myself.

[pereu]

Hi Justin,
for your inspiration: http://www.diekeramiker.at/index.php?op ... &Itemid=79

A problem with clay pipes is the fragility. This is the principal reason, why wooden pipes the clay pipes have edged out. If the pipe is smal, it is real fragile. In addition clay pipes become outside very hot.

Here some informations (and photos) about traditional clay pipes (in German language, but the photos point what I mean): http://www.pfeife-tabak.de/Artikel/Pfei ... eifen.html

Peter

[Alden]

Well, thats unique. I like them, but I'm afraid it may be a bit cumbersome for a regular smoker.
To answer your questions as best I can though, I find pipesmokers as a whole to be a fickle crowd.
Subject to the whims of hearsay and conjecture, if they've heard clay pipes dont smoke as well as briar, they will argue it to their deathbed (wether or not they have tried one).
I smoke a couple of clay pipes myself, and I even smoke one or two reed stem Point Pleasant clays http://www.flickr.com/photos/42613470@N00/1880982073/ and corncob pipes too. To me, theres a place for all of them but to most smokers who have never tried them, they just arent as good as ( X ).
X being whatever they assume a great smoking pipe should be.
Personally, I like your pipes.
Please keep posting updates.

[potholer]

nice site pereu

i even managed to understand some of it!

clay pipes historically in the uk, atleast, were cheap and disposable and responsible for the popularity of tobacco smoking - made by craftsmen rather than artisans.

the grand tour of europe by the english upper classes and aristocracy would have brought them in contact with briar pipes and the exotic, durable wood would have been enough to popularise it.

clay pipes are now an artisan craft, not inexpensive and therefore not as common as the originals. no one wants to break a pipe they have just paid £50 + for

regards
dave