How About the All-Black Pipe, Visually

[mso489]

There's an attractive austere simplicity to the all-black pipe, whether it's a blast with a shiny black stem, or a polished smooth ebony with maybe two slender bands. On the other hand, I'd hate to look at my cabinet and racks and see only the color black staring back at me. I am grateful for lighter stains and brighter and various-colored stems as well. I'd miss my entirely black pipes if I didn't have them, but it would be monotonous if that were all I had. How are you with all black pipes?

 

[TheWhale13]

Black sandblasts look awesome! Not a fan of black smooth for some reason, looks "fake" to me. Still, I'm the same as you, some variety is necessary.

 

[solideogloria86]

I echo your sentiments. I love the all black aesthetic, but I also enjoy variety. An all black pipe wouldn't look as sharp, if all pipes were all black.

 

[solideogloria86]

Black sandblasts look awesome! Not a fan of black smooth for some reason, looks "fake" to me. Still, I'm the same as you, some variety is necessary.

Also agree here. I've never really been a fan of a smooth black finish on a pipe. They always look plastic to me.

 

[Latakia Dave]

I’m good with black blast but I’ve never been drawn to the smooth shinny black/ ebony finished pipes myself. I too like variety.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Never owned one. They look cheaply made like the carver is trying to hide flaws.

 

[didimauw]

Black sandblasts look awesome! Not a fan of black smooth for some reason, looks "fake" to me. Still, I'm the same as you, some variety is necessary.

I'm the same. Black looks fake for some reason. I'd rather have a natural Grabow than a black Dunhill.

 

[TheWhale13]

I'm the same. Black looks fake for some reason. I'd rather have a natural Grabow than a black Dunhill.

Brown or lighter stains can bring out the grain in the briar, and sandblasting literally brings out the grain, while a black smooth pipe has no character at all. At least that is what I just came up with.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Like both varieties of black, though blasted is better for me.

 

[TheIronMonkey]

With the myriad of pipes at my disposal, I don't think I have an all black pipe—the closest may be the Oguz Simsek Darth Vader pipe, but, the grain is visible on that, so it's not truly black.

 

[--dante--]

I've actually always gone for those unstained, tan colored pipes not far off from a cobs color (like the Bones pipes, though I don't have one of those). I'm not sure what the term is for them. They might be the natural color of aged briar(?). I have a Nording Spruce that's pretty much along those lines, but even that is a tad darker than what I'm referring to.

I _do_ have one all-black pipe, but it's in my basement and I haven't smoked it in years. It's part of an old fleet I plan to sell to smokingpipes. It does look great, with some silver trim to it. I think without the trim, I might not have liked it as much being completely black.

 

[mso489]

I like the idea of a smooth black pipe being dressy, but these days, I so rarely put on a jacket and tie, much less anything more formal than that, it's strictly a fantasy. I have a Peterson B11 brandy sitter in that mode. I do like the way it looks, and I guess it makes me feel dressed up even though I'm not. It has a good big chamber, and a sitter is always convenient.

Also, I have about four Johs black blasts, but they have stained and polished briar "bands" that break up the black briar and stems. I think they look sharp.

But then I'll go and smoke one of my lighter brighter stained briars or my MM cob with an orange swirl Forever acrylic stem just to keep things interesting.

 

[Andriko]

My two favourites are both black and smooth Vauens (well, one has a wood finish rim to the bowl), and I think both look great and not cheap at all, though to be fair, Vauen seem to make exceptional pipes.

I do agree with mso's original sentiment though. Now I've been smoking pipes a while and settled into it, I find that the simpler the look of the pipe, the more stylish and pleasant I find it. I love some of the Dunhill shapes, it's just a shame they don't do 9mm filters and they are so unjustifiabley expensive.

 

[telescopes]

I have several dress pipes. None of them look “cheap”. One is a Chacolm Rhod from the late 80s and the other is a Peterson Cara Bulldog from the 90s. I have found that maintaining the black stain over time can be a challenge. They are both beautiful pipes. I also have a Peronelli Author with a beaded finish. It too is striking and beautiful in its own right. Not just any man could pull off smoking a dress black pipe. Not everyone is comfortable in Tails or a Zoot suite for that matter.

 

[LotusEater]

I’ve got several all black pipes and I think they look great.
I do not own any all black smooth pipes and I agree with others that they can look cheap and plastic like.

 

[Papamique]

I have a smooth black Dunhill “dress” pipe that is all black with a thin sterling silver accent. It is stunning in the right circumstances such as when I have a tuxedo on or some of my darker suits.

It doesn’t show the grain and it’s not supposed to. Much like brown brogue shoes VS plain black cap toe. The brown brogue is much more interesting to look at but the plain black dress shoe with a tux and the whole 9 has its own sharp and sleek style. One that I enjoy on occasion. On those occasions I pull out the Dunhill Dress pipe.

 

[Hillcrest]

My new Vauen Olaf bent egg is my first all black sandblast pipe. Like others above I too felt the maker was hiding flaws by doing that sandblast. I now have to say that while I can see the deep furrows along growth lines and the pits where birdseye would exist, the sandblast provides a durable surface that is worry free and allows me to be less careful about scratching the finish of a smooth pipe. I never thought they were formal looking but all the non-smokers I know have complimented the 'distinguished' look of the pipe !
I do have two rusticated pipes, a Peterson's and a Savinelli, that I thought were beautiful and elegant but I have received the most compliments on the all black pipe ! Of course it is a bent egg that mimics the lines of a swan neck ...

 

[telescopes]

Top to bottom:

Peronelli Author with a beaded finish; Peterson B5 Cara with a Silver band; Chacolm Rhodesian dress black. The Pete has seen a bit of abuse, but it does not impact the smoke enjoyment at all.

 

[condorlover1]

Black Pipes Matter?

 

[kcghost]

They are fine, prefer sandblasted.