The pipe's bit and lens ... does that mean anything to you?

The idea for this article came to me after a customer complained that the mouthpiece was too thick (5mm) and therefore not comfortable for him, and that it would be good if I could indicate these measurements on the site ... Yes, but these measurements are indicated in the specifications and on the page of each pipe, but you still need to know what the mouthpiece and lens are.

The pipe's bit 

The bit (mouthpiece), then, is the end of the pipe stem that is in the mouth, and the lens is the end of the bit that will enable you to hold it between your teeth without it slipping off, thanks to its small lips. This is a very important part of the pipe, as it's what makes it more or less comfortable in the mouth for many pipe smokers.

There is no such thing as an ideal size, as this will depend on individual taste, such as the width of the spout. Some manufacturers make wide bit, such as Butz Choquin, which some appreciate for their good mouthfeel. Others, such as Courrieu, have narrower spouts. So it's up to you to analyze your pipes and find the width that suits you best.

We measure the width of the bit as follows:

Note that it's the mouthpiece that you mark with your teeth, and the marks will be more or less deep depending on the material used for the pipe, and the way you hold the pipe in your mouth: Ebonite and Cumberland will mark more than acrylic, for example (but that's another story).

The thickness of the bit behind the lens

is also important for the comfort of the pipe in the mouth, but here again it's a very personal feeling. For your information, discerning pipe smokers consider that a mouthpiece thicker than 4.1/4.2mm is too thick and will turn away from a possible purchase (I'm one of them ... !).

We measure mouthpiece thickness behind the lens as follows:

Finally, with regard to the lens, some consider that a properly made lens should be open in a deep V for ideal smoke diffusion, and the lips should be rounded for comfort in the mouth.

An open V-shaped lens:

Opening of an industrial pipe lens:

Only experienced pipe-makers (or master pipe-makers) are able to satisfy the most demanding of these last points.

I hope I've shed some light on the mouthpiece and lens of the pipe. Of course, as always, it's up to you to decide whether or not to take this information on board, but I think it's important, and that's why Fumerchic is one of the few French sites to provide this information in product detail.

Sweet smoke !

Bernard Masse