Anyone who has seen the Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit knows that Gandalf can conjure some pretty impressive tricks—you can even transform into a giant eagle.
Once Gandalf’s character was established as a wise and generous smoker in the pop culture world, this style of pipe exploded in popularity. Thus, naming this style of the long pipe as Gandalf pipe.
When buying a Gandalf glass pipe, however, you’re going to have a much harder time—you’ll need to be on the lookout for some pretty specific things to make sure that your Gandalf pipe is authentic.
To help ensure that your Gandalf pipe is actual, here’s what you should know when you go looking for your next pipe.
Things to Check Before Buying Your Glass Pipe
You need to check several things before you buy your Gandalf pipe. Some of these things include:
Sticker
When you buy from an authorized dealer, such as an online retailer, you will often find a sticker with the company’s name on it somewhere on the bowl of your pipe. The sticker is a good indicator that you have an authentic Gandalf glass pipe. Do not buy any pipe that does not have this type of sticker.
Logo
You should also check for logos or words on the pipe, such as “Gandalf” or “Middle Earth.” Manufacturers often will include these words to help identify their product. On some pipes, you might even notice that the word is written both in English and Elvish—a lovely touch!
Pipe Size
The size of your pipe will also help determine whether or not you have an authentic Gandalf pipe. Most of the original pipes are over 18 inches tall and weigh more than four pounds—if you find a pipe that seems abnormally tiny, it is likely fake.
Pipe Style
Check the style of the pipe to determine its genuineness. Most pipe manufacturers use glass instead of metal, so you can be sure that any metal pipe is not actual. You should also check to ensure no moving parts on your pipe.
Smoke Quality
Find out how well your pipe performs when you smoke it. For example, many fake Gandalf pipes offer inferior quality, so they will often be more challenging to use correctly. If you find your pipe is leaking air or not sitting well, you should change it immediately.
You should also check how well your pipe works for smoking. If the Gandalf pipes are not made with enough glass around the bowl, there is little protection between the flame and your lips—this can lead to some pretty bad burns.
The pipe should have thick insulation on all sides to reduce the chances of this happening.
They work for smoking herbal substances like cannabis, and if you choose the real one, it is unlikely that you will find any of these types on the black market.
Additionally, Gandalf pipes are more likely to function as art pieces than actual tools for smoking.
Materials
Gandalf pipes come with high-grade borosilicate glass, not metal. If you find a pipe not made with this type of glass, you should avoid taking it.
Glass quality can be difficult to determine before you buy your pipe, but one thing you should know, of course, the higher the glass quality, the better your pipe will perform when smoking. Generally speaking, the best borosilicate glass comes from Germany.
Final Thoughts
The more willing you are to compare the qualities of different pipes with the above guidance and your knowledge, the easier it will be to determine a real pipe. Also, buy authentic products from reputed sellers to get the best experience and durability.
