When talking about tobacco pipes with filters or without, one must first know the two types; in fact, there are activated carbon filters and balsa filters.
The former were introduced to the market by Vauen, while the latter by Savinelli.
Both of the two types are marketed in the 9 mm format, but, for a few years now, Vauen has also been offering 6 mm activated carbon filters.
Activated carbon filters represent a type that is quite common in Germany, where aromatic tobaccos, which are rich in chemical thickeners that make them particularly intense, are very common.
In fact, with the activated carbon filter it is possible to mitigate the intense aroma of aromatic tobaccos.
In Italy, the use of the filter has never been very popular; on the other hand, Italian tobacco pipe companies, for a long time, did not market models with a filter, except to meet different market needs.
From a certain point on, it was increasingly easy to come across tobacco pipes equipped with a pin for inserting the filter, or containing a reducer to bring the pipe bore diameter to 3 mm.
What is the purpose of the pipe filter?
In general, the filter serves to contain the intensity of the smoke, but also to mitigate the aroma of the tobacco, which can sometimes be far too sweet and cloying at times.
We are talking about characteristics that are very common in tobaccos used in Nordic countries.
How long does the pipe filter last?
The life of the filter varies, because it depends mainly on the smoking mode and the type of tobacco, but usually the filter should be replaced every two to three smokes.
What happens if you smoke without a filter?
If you smoke the tobacco pipe without a filter you will appreciate the aromatic notes of the tobacco in their entirety much more.
Tobacco pipes with a filter always have a diameter of 9 mm, so you can accommodate it, but you can safely remove it, without the use of a reducer. In this way, it will almost feel like smoking a small reverse, where, between the blowpipe and the mouthpiece, a small expansion chamber is created that cools the smoke.
Smoking a filter tobacco pipe in this manner, however, may accentuate the formation of waterlogging, also depending on the type of tobacco pipe.
Filter Tobacco Pipes: pros and cons
Let's start with the pros: using the filter means getting a drier smoke, with less tobacco intensity, and fouling the tobacco pipe more slowly, which is interesting for those who do not perform routine cleaning regularly.
We have no real cons to using the filter, other than a less intense smoke, for those who do not desire it.
Filterless tobacco pipes: pros and cons
Fabio, personally, prefers filterless tobacco pipes, which are typical of the Italian tradition, for a number of reasons.
The first is certainly to be found in the desire to appreciate tobacco blends in all their entirety and facets. In Italy, on the other hand, English Mixtures and natural tobaccos are definitely more popular than flavored ones.
Another reason is related to the aesthetics of the tobacco pipe. Small tobacco pipes equipped with a filter almost always turn out to be ill-proportioned or ungainly, considering the thicker blowpipe.
In general, a tobacco pipe with a filter cannot have the same elegance as a tobacco pipe without a filter, even if we are talking about larger models.
How to choose a tobacco pipe filter
There are really many companies offering tobacco pipe filters on the market, both in activated charcoal and balsa.
As far as activated charcoal filters are concerned, Vauen is definitely the most reputable company, same with Savinelli for balsa filters.
On the market, it is possible to find 6 mm and 9 mm filters of both types.
How to change the filter to the tobacco pipe
Changing the filter to the tobacco pipe is very simple: just disassemble the mouthpiece, insert the filter inside the appropriate pin and close the tobacco pipe.
If the tobacco pipe is 9 mm and has a reducer, then you have to slide the reducer out and introduce the filter.
