Who likes dublin shaped pipes?

[NeverBend]

I am a fan of Dublins. How does @NeverBend feel about that?

They're thinner on the bottom and smoke differently at the bottom of the bowl though. If you get a classical Dublin (not a huge honking Danish bowl) be careful to not smoke too hot towards the bottom and mushroom out the bowl.

I have a birth year Caminetto oval shanked Dublin and it's a favorite of mine, despite the detractors

Seems that I’ve been called out by our resident Samurai, Sir Motoyoshi!

My opinion on the Dublin shape is based on technical reasons more than aesthetics. I’ve smoked several and sold thousands of Dublins but I don’t smoke the three that I still own.

There are two basic problems with the Dublin shape; reduction of mass, especially at the heel (front of the bowl), and the resulting top heavy loss of balance.

Machine made bowls use smaller and specifically sized blocks of briar that (usually) preclude them from having a large sweep (wide rims). They must conform to the size of the material and the taper angle is gradual and slight compared to what’s possible in their handmade permutations. Machine made bowls are generally smaller and normally have thinner walls so any reduction at the heel is a potential problem.

For Hand Makers, the Dublin is very common because it follows the natural growth pattern of the briar and it’s easy to make them well grained, but aggressive trimming of the heel and too much weight at the rim can cause the problems noted that are more acute for clenchers (like me).

Any Dublin, whether machine or handmade, needs to be examined on its individual characteristics.

Make certain that the heel hasn’t been trimmed excessively. There should be sufficient weight in the lower part of the bowl to offset the weight of the rim. This Ser Jacopo is an example of a technically sound Dublin that has ample heel. The front of the bowl should taper less in comparison to the back of the bowl.


This is a Danish made Barling Dublin (~1980), initially (at least) fraised by machine. The heel has been rounded to the point that there may be problems for the smoker. You need to imagine the shape of the tobacco chamber within the bowl and if the walls will be too thin you should pass on the pipe.

[Alligator Gar]

I just picked up this 1970s Kaywoodie Dublin 139R.

She's cool to the touch so far smoking some Old Limey Bastard.

It's very light and easy to clench. I think I like it.