Old Reviews Proto Pipe - Steampunkish engineering genius on the go

[Afrikaaner]

I always used to have my little smoking kit for whenever I was on the go, it included a small bowl, baggie of preground weed, lighter, and eyedrops. Then I decided to try out the Proto Pipe. It cost 25 dollars at my local headshop. This thing is genius. It has a lid for the bowl you can tighten when it gets loose, a stash tube that I swear you can jam an eighth into, and a tool that is sheer brilliance. the tool is engineered to fit perfectly into the holes at the bottom of the bowl to clean them when they get clogged, the perfect size to clean the main tube the smoke passes through, and when stored in the pipe, it works as the locking mechanism for the stash tube. Since it closes up pretty tightly, it doesn't smell much as far as pipes go, so carrying it around isn't bad. Oh and the stash tube is the same size as the bowl, so you can kinda tamp down your bud as you fluff it out of the tube (hard to explain, but it's nice). The ease of use is also top notch. I can (don't try this at home, kiddies) pack the bowl while driving. It really is the tool. It makes everything so easy. And you can prepack the bowl, close it, and throw it in your pocket with almost no smell. The only downside it getting the bottom of the bowl out to clean it. Don't use the tool and a hammer bc it will bend! Otherwise, awesome piece. It takes a long time to heat up because the bowl is made of a very large chunk of brass. And the patina that develops is very gorgeous in my opinion. Final thoughts, the 5/64 Allen key required and isn't included can be tough to obtain by itself. Really, they should make the tool the Allen key...

 

[AndyBotwin]

I smoked almost exclusively with a Proto Pipe for about 15 years. Went through two of them along with some various replacement parts. My first one had the breathing tube break off after 7-8 years, and the second got so gummed up with resin that I couldn't clean it properly. Like you said, the big problem is getting the bottom out. If you clean it often this isn't a concern, but sometimes I would get lazy and have a hell of a time getting it apart. I finally moved on when my last one became permanently fused, but I'll probably get another someday. Unfortunately they cost more like $50 around here, and I can't really justify it since I mainly use my MFLB now. Very good smoking accessory, though. :thumbs:

 

[Scott817]

I have had a proto pipe since the 80's as my daily smoker :thumbs: If you have a small punch and hammer the bottom comes right out. Dont forget to take the poker out first though hehehe

 

[UHF]

Love my proto pipe. I think it was the first pipe I purchased around 1984. 30$ even back then if memory serves me well. Still use it to this day. Lost a few cleaning rods and a few rubber tips but their ez replaced online for a few bucks. As for cleaning the stem use a wire hanger. Break down the pipe and remove the rubber tip, insert a small piece of rolling paper rolled up but not to tight or it can get stuck. Lightly heat the stem from top to bottom until you hear a bit of sizzle then push the wire hanger through. Scrape it up and everything else with a small knife and put it aside if you run into dry times.

 

[criminalogic]

Nice pipe 4real.. i remember some buddies wit these back in tha day

thought i would add a pic so we can see whats being talked about

 

[UHF]

You can still find them new online for 30$

 

[Minmatar]

Here are a few pics of my proto pipe. The worn, antiqued look of my pipe makes it feel more like a part of me. I am not a great photographer but I was able to keep my hands steady enough to snap a few that were okay.
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[GoidianGanja]

I use a Vape that can double as a pipe and so far it is a Rolls Royce of a smooth hitter check it out www.alivi8.com made of medical steel it takes a few tokes to learn how to get the heavy vape - after trying hundreds of pipes and bongs I can say that the ALIVI8 is the best I have ever tried and I feel it is often under rated because it is built to last and when used properly is way more powerful than any other type of pipe I have tried yet although I have not tried the Pax yet by www.ploom.com which is rated highly, I opted for the Alivi8 because it does not require batteries and can be blasted for a power hit