Different Pipe Shapes: Why Acorn Pipes Are Great!

There is nothing quite like the experience, the ritual and the relaxation that comes with smoking a pipe. A time-honoured tradition of tobacco smoking, pipes have been in use in various forms for thousands of years, with the earliest known pipe dating back 12,000 years.

Of course, the materials, tooling and shaping of those pipes have evolved over millennia, as successive craftsmen have made their mark. The result is a broad array of fascinating shapes to suit any avid tobacco enthusiast. 

Among the more traditional silhouettes is the acorn-shaped pipe. A favourite of pipe smokers the world over and typically crafted from briar wood, it is a perfect first pipe or as an addition to a growing collection.

What are the parts of a pipe?

To understand what makes an acorn tobacco pipe an excellent choice, you need to familiarise yourself with the parts of a pipe and how they work together to create your smoking experience. 

The two main parts are the stem and the stummel. 

The stem is the thin, often curved tube with the button and bit, which is held in the mouth. The stem is how the smoke is inhaled and is made of acrylic or hard rubber, though it can be made of traditional materials such as horn. 

The other end of the stem is connected to the stummel, which is traditionally made of briar or other wood, and is where the pipe is filled and lit. 

The stummel consists of a hollow bowl, which holds the tobacco, the heel, which is the curve at the base of the bowl, and a hollow shank, which connects it to the stem.

What defines an acorn pipe?

In an acorn pipe, the bowl is acorn-shaped, curving outward from the rim and then tapering in a rounded way, sometimes dipping below the shank. The shape makes for a distinctive silhouette, particularly when the shank is bent upward. 

Acorn pipes can be found in many different finishes, from rusticated options to smooth and elegant styles. However, they are less common than other styles and so many become limited edition or collector’s items. 

What is the history of the acorn pipe? 

Though smoking pipes have taken on many shapes throughout history, the acorn-shaped pipe has been around for hundreds of years. 

Some of the earliest clay smoking pipes found in Europe used an acorn shape with a straight shank and short stem. These very small pipes can be found in archaeological sites dating back to the 1500s. 

Native American pipe smokers historically used clay or stone acorn-shaped pipes for ceremonial activities.

The shape experienced a revival in the 19^th century, although many manufacturers and craftsmen moved away from more fragile clay to using wood such as briar. 

What are the benefits of an acorn pipe?

There are many benefits of an acorn pipe aside from its elegant shape that make it a perfect choice for enjoying a relaxing smoke. 

Naturally ergonomic

Nature’s design has its advantages with the acorn pipe, whose bulbous bowl and tapering make it perfect for gripping, allowing the smoker to relax and enjoy the experience. 

Lightweight

The pipe is relatively small and less chunky than some of its more flamboyant counterparts, which means it feels light in the hand. 

Heel profile

The unique shape of the heel of an acorn pipe means that it can often stand on its own, without the need for a pipe stand. 

Tapered bowl

The tapered bowl shape makes the acorn pipe good for flake tobacco regardless of how it is processed, but can accommodate other types of pipe tobacco, too.

Capacity

The acorn pipe balances capacity for tobacco in the bowl with a slim shape, so it is not bulky but still delivers the satisfaction of a long smoke. 

What to look for when buying a pipe

The key factors when looking at buying a new pipe will vary depending on the type of smoker and personal preferences. Considerations for your decision can include:

Brand and craftsmanship

Quality brands such as Savinelli pipes, Peterson or Alfred Dunhill pipes provide reassurance that your pipe will be made to the highest standards. Check that there are no flaws in the shank, bowl or stem that would impact the experience. 

Deep cracks or indents in the bowl will affect the burn and durability, impacting the dryness of the smoke. The draft hole, at the base of the bowl, should be exactly centred, and the internal walls of the bowl should be smooth. 

Material

Traditionally, briar, or bruyere for Alfred Dunhill models, is used for the stummel. The wood allows for the absorption and then slow release of the oils and aromas of the tobacco. 

However, other materials are used to craft the bowls, for example, olivewood, arbutus wood and bog oak, which is a partially fossilised wood.

Size of bowl and stem

Acorn-shaped bowls, with their tapered walls, provide a medium-length smoke compared to a larger chimney or Calabash shape. The shape should fit comfortably in your hand without the need for a tight grip. 

The stem should also be comfortable for you in its angle and length; for example, a churchwarden stem is very long.

What are the alternatives to an acorn pipe?

As the acorn shape is often a limited-edition production, there are alternatives which borrow from the tapered design and easy-handling bowl. 

There are many styles of pipe which have a similar shape to the acorn, for example, the apple shape, which is more rounded, the tapered Dublin, or the classic billiard shape, which often has a straight shank. Some excellent options are shown below:

Savinelli Eleganza Brownblast 207 6mm Pipe – Sandblasted

Alfred Dunhill The White Spot County Pipe Group 5 Shape 5113, Billiard

Peterson Arklow (230) 9mm Fishtail Pipe – Sandblast

What is the perfect tobacco to pair with an acorn pipe?

Once you have chosen your perfect smoking pipe, you will need to find the perfect tobacco to fill it. Pipe tobacco comes in varying degrees of strength and many different flavours which are a delight to explore. 

Full-strength options such as English blends compete with aromatic, lighter blends with notes of fruit, vanilla and nuts. 

Brands such as Gawith Hoggarth, Chacom, Samuel Gawith and Peterson have broad ranges of flavours and strengths that can suit any palate. Try a mellow Early Morning Pipe from Peterson’s, or go for a more robust Chacom No.4. 

Peterson Early Morning Pipe Tobacco 50g – Single Tin

Chacom No.4 Pipe Tobacco 50g – Single Tin

Flake tobacco

Although ribbon and ready-rubbed tobacco cuts are popular, flake tobacco is also a favourite of pipe smokers, although harder for novices to master the rubbing, folding and packing. 

Gawith Hoggarth Kendal Jamaican Flake Pipe Tobacco

Gawith Hoggarth Bob’s CH Flake (Bob’s Chocolate Flake) Loose Pipe Tobacco