What are the parts of the tobacco pipe

The tobacco pipe, an object of great history and fascination, has been used as a smoking instrument for centuries, proving capable of capturing the imagination of many over time.

Those who are new to this world are always fascinated and intrigued about how it works and the parts that make it up.

In this guide, we will examine the parts of the pipe and how each contributes to the smoking experience.

The three parts of the tobacco pipe

Making a tobacco pipe is by no means simple: only an experienced person is able to devote the right amount of patience and technique in the use of materials and the execution of construction procedures.

It can be said that the tobacco pipe consists of 3 main parts: stove, shanl and mouthpiece.

The stove is connected to the mouthpiece through the shank, through which the smoke passes.

Let's look at each part of the tobacco pipe in detail.

The head

The head constitutes the front part of the tobacco pipe, on which we find the flamed wood.

It can have quite different shapes and, together with the shank, defines the pattern of the tobacco pipe.

Inside the head is the stove (or combustion chamber). Sometimes, the walls of the stove are covered with a layer of charcoal that facilitates the formation of the protective jacket.

The stove

The stove is the part of the tobacco pipe where the tobacco to be lit is inserted, the walls of which are smooth, free of damage or cracks. 

The shape of the stove is absolutely crucial to having excellent combustion; not surprisingly, it tends to be almost conical, with the walls descending perpendicularly to the bottom.

As for the walls, the thickness is almost always between 25 mm and 50 mm. The thickness is always greatest at the center of the stove, which is the point where the highest temperature is reached.

Once the stove is filled with tobacco, 1/4 or 1/8 space should be left at the top, and then proceed to burn it at the top with a lighter or match, slowly passing the flame.

It is important that the ignition of the tobacco is even, otherwise you risk excessive or uneven burning.

The mouthpiece

The mouthpiece is the end of the tobacco pipe that you put in your mouth to smoke.

It can have a variety of shapes, more or less curved, and be of different materials.

Some tobacco pipes offer ergonomic mouthpieces designed for the smoker's comfort, while others are customized to embrace the needs of the smoker.

At its end we find the mouthpiece tooth, which is almost always an integral part of the mouthpiece, while break-resistant pins are an exception, proving more resistant to drops and stresses.

Modern mouthpieces are made of ebonite or methacrylate. Ebonite consists of a mixture of vulcanized lava, rubber and sulfur, which is glossy black in color, very durable and elastic.

Its only flaw is its vulnerability to prolonged exposure to the sun, which accelerates aging.

As for methacrylate, they have the characteristic of being durable and rustproof.

To learn more about the types of mouthpieces, I suggest you read the dedicated article.

The shank

The shank is the part of the pipe that joins the head and mouthpiece, allowing the smoke to flow to the latter.

Inside it is a hole in the axis on which the base of the stove is born and which runs through the entire tobacco pipe in order to reduce harmful substances from tobacco.

Its shape is variable: it can be straight or curved regardless of the length of the tobacco pipe.

A tobacco pipe with a long shank has more briar, so it offers a fresher smoke as it absorbs moisture and smoke better.

The most common materials for making the shank are wood, metal, and bamboo.

The filter

Some tobacco pipes have a filter, usually made of activated charcoal, so as to reduce the amount of harmful substances inhaled with the smoke.

The filter is attached to the shank and is connected in such a way as to allow the smoke to pass through, starting from the shank and ending at the mouthpiece.

Not all tobacco pipes contain the filter inside them, so its presence depends solely on the smoker's preference.

Clearly, using it will result in a slightly cleaner tobacco pipe.