Wood and metal pipe: a 9 cm pocket model
This pipe brings two materials together. The middle section is turned from wood and finished with a couple of decorative rings, while the bowl and the mouthpiece are metal. The pairing has a practical side: metal takes the heat around the bowl, and the wood in the middle stays cool enough to hold. At 9 cm this sits firmly in pocket territory, small enough for a case or an inside pocket.
On top of the bowl sits a small lid that screws into place. It keeps the contents where they belong when you put the pipe away and saves you from finding loose material in the bottom of your bag. The pipe also comes apart completely: unscrew the sections and you are left with separate pieces. That makes a real difference when cleaning, since the inside of the stem is exactly where one-piece pipes stay dirty. Wood being wood, the grain on your pipe will differ from the one in the photo.
Using it
Fill the bowl with a small portion of herbs and heat it briefly. Hold the pipe by the wooden middle, because the metal around the bowl warms up within seconds. A screen in the bowl catches loose particles and keeps material from travelling up the stem. Once you are finished, let the pipe cool down before you unscrew it.
Cleaning and upkeep
Unscrew the metal parts and let those soak in isopropyl alcohol for half an hour. Keep the wooden section dry, as wood and long soaks do not get along. Run a pipe cleaner through the stem, rinse the metal with warm water and let everything dry fully. Wipe the wood with a dry cloth. At Avalon Magic Plants the headshop also stocks the nut and bolt pipe, metal pipes, bamboo pipes, corn cob pipes, glass pipes and grinders. Every order is packed and shipped discreetly.
