There's a new trend in pipesmoking that we'd like to bring to our readers' attention: American distributors have begun importing pipes that utilize the "9 mm system," which is popular in continental Europe, and especially in Germany, where over 95%, of pipes sold are fitted with it. Germany is the largest pipe market in Europe, with about 3 million pipesmokers - roughly the same as in the U.S., although Germany has less than 25% of our population. They can't all be wrong!

Instead of having a smoke hole in the pipe stem and tenon with the standard 3.5 - 4.0 mm bore, there is a wider 9 mm tenon into which a filter is fitted before each smoke. The filter is 8.5 mm in diameter (5/8") and 36 mm (17/16") long - about the same diameter, and half the length, of a standard-size, unfiltered cigarette. The filter casing, made of firm paper, has a perforated ceramic end that is positioned to face the heat from the bowl. The other end is a plastic perforated cap that goes towards the mouthpiece. Inside the filter is an activated-charcoal compound whose absorbent surface area is the size of two tennis courts, according to the manufacturers. The smoke from the pipe bowl passes through the charcoal and is filtered to remove a lot of the condensate, tar, and other impurities. At the end of the smoke you remove the filter, and toss it away - it costs but a few cents - then swipe your pipe clean with a pipe cleaner. That's it. The gunk is all in the filter, and the pipe remains clean, dry, and sweet.

Are there disadvantages to the filter system? Well, some of the flavor does get lost, but this is only noticeable if you smoke a very subtle, completely natural tobacco, such as a mild, matured Virginia, or a light English-style mixture. And, of course, you have to change the filter after each smoke. But that's it! Aromatic tobaccos actually taste better through the filter system, because the harsher edges are rounded away. The same goes for heartier English style, Latakia blends, as well as any medium to full-bodied tobacco.

And the filter must be doing something right, health-wise. To wit: a few weeks ago this writer had a gastric disorder that a freshly lit pipe irritated within moments. I tried one of the German filter pipes and found that I could smoke the same tobacco thoroughly without discomfort. Scientific? No. Empirical? Yes!

Finally, we announced here last issue that PipeSMOKE publisher Lockwood Publications, in conjunction with Dunhill Pipes/Lane Ltd., will announce the first annual American Pipesmoker of the Year at a gala celebration this fall. While exact times and dates were not available at press time, we will be sure to inform all readers once plans are finalized.

Alan Schwartz
Associate Publisher / Editorial Director
Email: pipesmoke@lockwoodpublications.com