Pipe / Hand Pipe

A hand pipe is a small, portable device for consuming flower without the use of water filtration. It's the simplest setup — a bowl where you pack material, a chamber where vapor travels, and a mouthpiece. No water, no external parts, just the pipe.

Key features:

• Compact and portable design
• No water or setup required
• Various shapes: spoon, sherlock, steamroller, chillum
• Material options: glass, metal, wood, ceramic, stone
• Often includes a carb hole for airflow control

The basic anatomy consists of a bowl (where you pack the flower), a chamber (where the vapor cools slightly before reaching you), and a mouthpiece. Most pipes include a carb — a small hole on the side that you cover with your finger during inhalation, then release to clear the chamber. Covering the carb creates suction that pulls vapor through. Releasing it allows fresh air to rush in and clear remaining vapor.

Shape variations serve different preferences. Spoon pipes are the classic design — a rounded bowl, straight or slightly curved body, comfortable to hold. Sherlock pipes feature the curved neck made famous by the detective — the longer vapor path provides slightly more cooling. Steamrollers are straight tubes with the bowl on top — they deliver big, direct hits. Chillums are simple, straight tubes. Minimal design for straightforward use.

Material affects flavor, durability, and heat management. Glass preserves flavor completely and lets you see inside, but it can break. Metal (typically aluminum or brass) is nearly indestructible, but it can affect taste and get hot. Wood offers aesthetic appeal and decent heat resistance but requires more maintenance. Ceramic sits between glass and wood for durability and flavor.

Using your hand pipe: Pack the bowl with ground flower — don't pack it too tightly, as airflow suffers. Cover the carb with your finger, light the flower while inhaling steadily, then release the carb to clear the chamber. The lack of water means harsher draws than water pipes, but the simplicity and portability make up for it. Clean your pipe regularly: Resin buildup affects flavor and restricts airflow. Isopropyl alcohol and pipe cleaners handle most cleaning. Some people boil borosilicate glass pieces, but only with gradual heating and cooling to avoid thermal shock. Never boil other materials. Many people keep multiple pipes around for different situations — a nice glass piece for home, a durable metal one for travel.