Ode to the Billiard.
The billiard is probably the most popular shape in any brand. It comes in an almost infinite variety of sizes. The short 5 3/4” billiard, the normal 6” x 2”, the stack billiard, the oversize ODA, the ELX size and the Magnum. It is hard to name another shape that scales so well. There are military mount billiards, paneled billiards, diamond shanked billiards, triangular shanked billiards, square shanked, bamboo shanked ones, with long and normal length shanks, LB billiard’s chubby billiards, flat bottom sitting billiards, rounded from bottom billiards, (Bo Nord), the slightly canted billiard, the lightly curved stem billiard and these are the ones that readily come to mind. The Canadian can almost be considered a billiard with a long oval shank or a Lovat a billiard with a round slightly longer than normal shank
I don’t think there is another defined shape I could rattle off so many variations off. I don’t think I have ever seen a pipe collection where there wasn’t a reasonable proportion of billiards, excepting the single shape collectors. There is not a pipe maker alive, that I can think of, who doesn’t make some billiards.
I have heard that in Italy if you want to apprentice to a pipe maker that task they set the person is to make a billiard entirely by hand. If they turn out a reasonable billiard then they are taken on, Bill Taylor’s first pipe as an apprentice at Dunhill was billiard, albeit it was according to legend only 1” long. Blocks were smaller 40 years ago?
Why such a profusion of variations on one shape. I think because in essence it is because the billiard is the most harmonious shape. In its classic dimensions the height of the bowl and the length of the shank are the same or directly proportional 2:3.
Beyond its undeniable esthetic appeal it is probably the most practical of pipes, outside of the ODA & Magnums. It is an easy pipe to fit in any pocket, not being to big nor too small. It will fit standing up in the vest pocket of a jacket, lie flat in a side pocket, or in military mount when pulled apart it can be snugged away almost anywhere with no fear of breakage.
The only downside to a billiard is that because of the way it is cut from the block extremely good or straight grain is exceedingly rare. Birdseye with crossgrain is normally the best you will find & occasionally all over birdseye.
In its classic size it delivers a neither a long nor short smoke but just right. Depending on the tobacco it can be anywhere from 25” – 45”. . In its’ billiard/pot Castello variation, it give a slightly longer smoke while maintaining its classic dimensions. Which is a reasonable smoke time by any standards. It is light in the mouth in its normal incarnations, except it is good idea to remove it from the mouth before opening a cupboard or car door. Which I often forget to do and give myself a good whack that vibrates through my teeth and makes my dentist happy.
Overall I think it is truly amazing that shape whose name is lost in time and whose name is the used in other languages comes in some many variations. I think that is part of its enduring appeal.
Until next time, I’m Pipe Mike!
www.pipes4mike.com
The above missive was originally written
by Maxim Engel (used with permission)
http://www.pipes2smoke.com
http://www.cubancigars4u.com
tel: toll free 1-888-782-1410
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M6B 1K2
