A Buyer's Guide to Hand Pipes: Unique Glass, Metal & More

Are you looking for the best hand pipes for 2020? Not sure what your options are and whether you want one that's a hand blown glass pipe or simply a cool hand pipe for weed? Well, we've got you covered here! We're going to review the different types of hand pipes that are on the market as well as the pluses and minuses of each.

And by the time you finish this post, you'll know all of your options and can easily decide on the one that right for you! Let's get started -

TYPES OF HAND PIPES:

1. Spoon Pipe: shaped like a spoon

2. Sherlock Pipe: has a long curved neck

3. Gandalf Pipe: has an extra-long, curved neck

4. Bubbler Pipe: holds a small amount of water

5. Chillum Pipe: a small cylinder, ultra-portable

THE SPOON PIPE

Boo Glass "Zig Zag"
Wig Wag Spoon Pipe

Empire Glassworks "Poke Bowl" Poke Ball Themed Spoon Pipe

GRAV Labs
Pendant Spoon Pipe

GRAV x Jane
West Spoon Pipe

White Turquoise
Marbled Stone Pipe

The spoon is the most popular type of pipe. For many of us, this was the first type of pipe we explored. It's reliability, affordability, and portability keep these handheld pipes at go-to status -- even after adding bongs and dab rigs into the mix.

Spoon pipes typically feature a bowl (the deeper the better!) and a side carb. A side carb on all pipes is for controlling airflow. Let in fresh outside air to cool inhales and create more massive clouds.

Extra-Special Spoon Pipe Features:

Impressive artistry
Built-in ash catcher
Helix tornado spiral
Stone and Crystal cuts
Round, ergonomic shapes with spoon-style bowl
Pendant style for necklaces and keychains

THE STEAMROLLER

UPC Concentrate
Steamroller

Nucleus
10" Steamroller

GRAV x Jane West
Pendant Spoon Pipe

While you can see, and we've sold massive steamrollers as big as 18 inches, that's not the common size for these cool options. More commonly, you'll see glass steamrollers in a pocket-ready size.

Steamrollers are a middle ground between chillums and spoon pipes: they feature the cylinder shape of a chillum with a bigger bowl size like the spoon. Instead of a side carb, the carb is placed directly opposite the mouthpiece.

More Steamroller Features:

Roll Stops to keep from sliding off the table
Size range from approximately 4-inches to 18-inches
Built-in ash catcher
Themed designs
NEW! Concentrate compatability

THE BUBBLER

GRAV Labs Helix
3-in-1 Multi Bubbler

BOO Glass
Reti Perc Upright Bubbler

Nucleus
Silicone Cone Bubbler

Bubblers add a splash of water filtration to your hand pipe routine. Compared to a full-sized water pipe, it's nice and easy to rinse and refill in the sink.

You can buy a bubbler in both an "upright" and "hammer" shape. Hammer bubblers are shaped just like the household tool; upright bubblers tend to have a wider water chamber with a less extended mouthpiece.

PRO TIP! A bubbler with a joint is more likely to work with concentrates, too!

Best-Selling Bubbler Features

Cone bubblers let you add water to your rolling paper routine!
Concentrate bubblers that include a quartz banger nail - as often seen on California's UPC or other brands.
Diffused downstems and percolators

THE SHERLOCK

BOO GLASS
Maria Ring Sherlock

BOO GLASS
Milli Mushroom Sherlock

Sherlocks are pretty much the same thing as a spoon pipe, but with a long curved neck. A sherlock features the same spoon bowl and side carb construction. The style tends to be more for personal preference, but does add some extra cooling with the elongated design.

Additional Sherlock Features

A glass marble stand or round base to keep upright
Gandalf's famous extra-long sherlock
Maria Rings to add durability to the long neck
Artistic techniques like milli glass and frit glass

THE CHILLUM

GRAV Labs
16mm Taster Chillum

GRAV Labs
Helix Chillum

GRAV Labs
16mm Taster Chillum

Chillums -- also called "tasters" -- are the smallest hand pipe. They typically pack just a couple rips at a time, which makes the chillum great for on-the-go. Another perk is that they're super easy to clean: simply soak in Isopropyl to get it right back to squeaky-clean status.

Chillums are often shaped like a miniature steamroller. Some designers add artistry through themes, contours, and stands.