Short or long: when size matters

Choosing a pipe is before all a matter of taste. At first, you will look at the silhouette of the pipe, its finish and its price. However, if you are a more experienced pipe smoker, you will also want to have a closer look at the brand that made the pipe, the possibility to smoke with a filter, the grain of the wood but also the length of the pipe. The length of the pipe is indeed something that must be considered. Whether you smoke a short or a long pipe, the tobacco tasting will not be the same. Yes, size actually matters... For a beginner, we recommend a classic pipe, that is neither too short nor too long, and that therefore has an intermediate size (for the length as well as the dimensions of the bowl).

Here are a few things that you have to know regarding the differences between short and long pipes.

The vocabulary:

When talking about a "short pipe", we also often talk about "convenient pipe" or "nose warmer". We talk about the latter since smoking a short pipe means a hotter smoke in the mouth, and you may feel the heat of the smoke on your face. This might seem disconcerting for a beginner, which is why we recommend classic pipes (let's say between 13 and 16cm long) for beginners.

When talking about long pipes, we use the words "reading pipes", " ladies' pipes" or "churchwarden". As you will have understood, there are many ways to call a long pipe, but the latter all have the same benefits. Long pipes allow a smoother smoke in the mouth since the smoke will have the time to cool down during its way along the stem.

Do you know why we talk about "reading pipes"? Just because the smoke will not bother you when smoking and reading at the same time, the bowl of the pipe being far from the eyes.

Jean, La Pipe Rit

A pipe depending on what you do:

Choosing a short pipe?

A short pipe is very convenient because you can carry it with you wherever you go. It can easily be slipped into a pocket or a tobacco pouch and will follow you. These small pipes are also lighter. If you choose a bent model, it will be even easier to keep it in your mouth and it will be perfectly balanced. You will also not need to clench your teeth too much to keep it at the corner of your mouth. Some smokers choose small pipes (with a small bowl) to smoke during a break, when you only have a few minutes to smoke. It is the ideal choice if you are going on a trip in the forest, if you go fishing, when doing some gardening or if you simply relax at a café.

Short pipes from Saint-Claude

Choosing a long pipe?

A long pipe will be very pleasant to smoke at home, comfortably seated in your living room, while enjoying your favorite tobacco. Churchwarden pipes are also very pleasant to smoke because they allow a drier smoke. Thanks to the length of the stem, the smoke will have the time to cool down, compared to a short pipe.

Long pipes from Saint-Claude

Did you know that Churchwarden pipes became very successful when the first film of the trilogy "The Lord of the Rings" was released in 2001? If you are looking for a similar model that looks like those shown in the films, you should take a look at pipes of "The Shire" collection made by the famous German brand Vauen...

Bastien, La Pipe Rit

Is cleaning a short pipe different than cleaning a long pipe?

We like to remind how cleaning a pipe is very important and is part of a pipe smoker's routine. You have to know how to clean your pipe to enjoy as much as possible the aromas of your tobacco. Ladies and gentlemen, you should take care of your pipes!

The first thing that is very important is, no matter the size of your pipe, to always disassemble a pipe when it is completely cold. Then, hold the shank with one hand and the stem with your other hand, as close as possible to the junction between both parts. You can now remove the stem by turning it on itself, as if it was "screwed" to the shank, while slightly pulling it. These few recommendations are even more important with long pipes. If you try to remove a long stem, hold it as close as possible to the shank. If you do not, you might break it. Please note that most of the stems of long pipes are made with ebonite, more comfortable in the mouth than acrylic.

For short pipes, you can use the pipe cleaners that you want: conical, slim, hard-bristled... However, for a long pipe, you have to use long pipe cleaners in order to clean the inside of the stem along its entire length.

Why choosing when you can have both?

You should also be aware that some pipes are sold with two stems: a short one and a long one. You will therefore be able to easily change the stems depending on where you are and what you do. This can also be a good idea for a beginner who wants to try two different ways of smoking a pipe. This could also allow you to see what you prefer before buying a short or long pipe.

A pipe with two stems