Introduction
Behold, Rattray’s have created some panache packed pocket pipes, the Stubby series. Let’s look at what makes them so unique!
For those not familiar with the Rattray’s brand, Rattray’s are a highly sought after brand that has its roots in Perth, Scotland. In our previous blog we looked at the fascinating history of the company, from its inception to present day. Now manufactured in Germany, Rattray’s have maintained the same high quality standards that had popularised them in their hayday.
Pocket Pipes
The first thing to note when discussing the Stubby series is the size of the pipes. These are categorised as pocket pipes, by definition a pocket pipe is a small pipe that as you might have guessed, can easily fit in one’s pocket.
The Stubby 41 is 110 millimetres in length and as such sit nicely within the palm of your hand. Not only is it small, it is lightweight coming in at only 40 grams, this makes it an ideal choice for pipe smokers who like to go hands free!
9mm Filter
Some may have reservations about such a small pipe, understandable assumptions are made such as that they will burn hot due to their short length. Fear not, for Rattray’s have fitted the pipe to be used with a 9mm filter.
With the assistance of the filter the Stubby pipe smokes cool, being that is used for shorter smokes than a regular sized pipe anyway. Here at The Pipe Shop we have a wide range of 9mm filters to choose from.
Sandblast Finish
Another clever way of ensuring that the pipe doesn’t overheat is the application of a sandblast finish. By making the surface rough and uneven the heat disperses in a fashion that reduces the build up of heat, this can be attributed to the larger surface area. Another more ethereal benefit for some is the texture itself, somehow a sandblast pipe imparts a distinct natural feel to it
Uncarbonated Bowl
Unlike most pipes on the modern market, Rattray’s tend to release many of their Pipes uncarbonated, the Stubby series fall into this category. This means that if you are to look inside the bowl you will see the wood grain itself, not the black carbon that most pipes are finished with and subsequently, pipe smokers are now accustomed to.
What this means is that when first starting to use your Stubby pipe it is recommended to let it rest for a day or two in between each day of use. Do this until the carbon naturally builds up as a result of use.