Wood vs Glass Pipes: Which is Better?

Some of the oldest ‘bongs’ that have ever been discovered are thought to be 2,400 years old and are made out of solid gold.

These vessels are believed to be the smoking paraphernalia of the nomadic warriors known as the Scythians. Criminologists have found that the residue found inside the vessels comes from cannabis and opium.

While having a solid gold pipe sounds pretty awesome, it’s probably not financially feasible for most of us. Luckily, the modern world has figured out some pretty legit ways to made pipes so that every smoke session can be a success.

Are you trying to choose between glass pipes and wood pipes? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each.

Pros of Glass Pipes

Glass pipes are a classic go-to for seasoned smokers. Let’s take a look at why.

Easier to Clean

Glass hand pipes are way easier to clean than wood pipes.

Are you wondering how to clean a glass pipe? It’s simple. You pretty much just have to soak your piece in isopropyl alcohol overnight and it looks as good as new.

Easy to Find

Another awesome aspect of glass pipes is that you can pretty much find them anywhere. Heck, they even sell them at some convenience stores. While a specialty wooden pipe might take you a while to track down, you’ll be able to find cheap glass pipes in just about any city in the US.

Are you in the market for a new pipe? Check out this smoking glass.

Often Hand Made

What’s also cool about glass pipes is that they’re typically hand-made by a glassblower.

That means each one is unique and specially made. In a world where pretty much everything is mass-produced these days, there’s something really sweet about that. It also means that you get to support an artisan who is practicing their craft.

Beautiful

One obvious pro of glass water pipes and other glass pipes is how beautiful they can be. They come in so many different colors and shapes that you’ll surely find one that stands out to you. Many people have collections of glass pipes that they consider to be works of art.

Offers a Pure Smoking Experience

When you smoke from a glass pipe, even if it’s a cheap glass pipe, you’ll be able to have a pure smoking experience. No other materials will alter the taste of the bud the way that a wood pipe would. Instead, you can 100% taste the qualities of the flower and nothing else.

Cons of Glass Pipes

With all things, there’s always a downside when there’s an upside. Let’s take a look at a few of the cons when it comes to glass pipes.

Breaks Easier

Probably the most obvious con of glass pipes is that they are more fragile. Let’s face it: they’re made out of glass.

While they are way easier to break than wood pipes or metal pipes, some glass pipes can be sturdier than you think.

You’ll definitely want to handle your pipe with caution, though, and not simply be tossing it around a room with a concrete floor. If you do that, you’re basically asking for a broken pipe.

Can Be More Expensive

Since glass pipes are handmade, you might not be able to find one as cheap as some mass-produced wood or metal pipes out there. That being said, you probably don’t want those extremely cheap pipes anyways, as they’re likely coated in gross chemicals that you definitely don’t want to be smoking.

For a few extra bucks, you can totally find cheap glass pipes, which is probably the right thing to do.

Pros of Wood Pipes

Let’s face it, wood pipes can look pretty cool. There are some benefits to wood pipes compared to glass, so let’s explore what those are.

Doesn’t Break as Easily

Probably one of the biggest reasons why wooden pipes might be preferable for some smokers is that they are simply more durable. If you drop them on the ground, you don’t have to worry too much about them shattering. That being said, you still don’t want to kick them around like a football.

High-Quality Wood Pipes Can Add Taste

The thing about wood pipes is that their quality can vary widely. If you’ve got money to burn then you might consider experimenting with the experience of smoking out of a high-quality wood pipe. It can add interesting flavors to your smoking experience that you might find you enjoy.

That being said, a lot of wood pipes are cheap and not made out of desirable materials. You’ll want to do your research before you go this route.

Earthy, Natural Feel

Another pro of wood pipes is the natural look they have. There’s something earthy and awesome about smoking out of wood. That being said, this might not be enough of a benefit to warrant making the switch from glass to wood.

Cons of Wood Pipes

Wood pipes are certainly not all good. Let’s take a look at the downside of this pipe material.

Annoying to Clean

It’s easy to clean a glass pipe. It’s really, really annoying to clean wood pipes.

You can’t just simply soak them in isopropyl alcohol the way you can with glass pipes. It’s much more of a process, and the likelihood that your pipe will accumulate resin and get pretty gross pretty quick is fairly high.

Many Are Made of Low-Quality Materials

High-quality wood pipes are one thing, but mass-produced wood pipes are a totally different story. The real benefits of a wood pipe can only be experienced if you’re willing to drop some serious cash.

Glass or Wood: Which Will It Be?

As you can see, there are benefits and drawbacks to both glass and wood pipes. That being said, for most smokers, glass is probably a more reasonable choice. If you’re a connoisseur and a collector, then, by all means, start building your impressive collection of briar pipes.

Did you find this article on glass pipes and wood pipes interesting? If so, be sure to check out the rest of our blog for more fascinating and informative content!