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The Calabash is one of the most unique and fascinating tobacco pipes. If you ask a pipe smoker which shape they’ve always wanted to try, chances are they’ll say Calabash.
Famous for its appearance in Sherlock Holmes adaptations, this tobacco pipe has retained an aura of elegance and mystery over time.
What makes it special is its removable bowl and internal condensation chamber, which cools and dries the smoke, delivering a smooth and fresh experience.
Let’s explore the features and history of this legendary tobacco pipe.
Calabash Pipes: characteristics
Calabash pipes are considered hybrid tobacco pipes, as they are made from two different materials.
The body is crafted from a variety of African gourd known as Caravazza, famous for its natural curved shape. The cup, or the upper bowl, is made of meerschaum.
How is a Calabash pipe made?
During growth, the gourd is shaped into its characteristic curve by securing it with small pegs on a wooden board. Once mature, it is harvested, hollowed out, cleaned and dried to make it suitable for pipe crafting.
The meerschaum cup, with its wide and flared rim, is then attached to the gourd’s neck using a cork gasket to ensure a perfect fit.
Typically, Calabash pipes feature a curved mouthpiece, made from yellow acrylic or black ebonite, which enhances their refined aesthetic.
Why choose a Calabash pipe?
The Calabash is cherished for its exceptional ability to cool and dry the smoke, thanks to the built-in condensation chamber, which enhances the tobacco’s flavor, making it mild and smooth on the palate.
However, this tobacco pipe is relatively delicate, especially the meerschaum cup, making it best suited for indoor use.
The History of Calabash Pipes
For thousands of years, gourds have been used as natural containers for both solids and liquids. In Africa, they were also repurposed as smoking instruments long before the modern Calabash pipe took shape.
In 1652, with the arrival of the Dutch in Cape Town, there was a fusion of European and indigenous smoking traditions.
At the time, hemp smoking was widespread, while tobacco only gained popularity later. Due to its strong aroma, hemp was commonly smoked using water pipes, often made entirely or partially from gourds.
The design was simple yet effective. The gourd served as a water chamber, the neck functioned as the shank, and the stem, once connected to the plant, became the mouthpiece.
To make it suitable for smoking, the gourd was simply cleaned and left to dry.
The Arrival of the Calabash Pipe in Europe
The first person to export the Calabash pipe from South Africa was H.L. Blatter, who recognized its potential and began selling it in Europe.
It is believed that the first prototype originated in southern Africa and gained traction between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly during the Boer War.
Thanks to British soldiers, who brought Calabash pipes back home, the shape started gaining recognition outside of Africa.
An Initially Cold Reception
Despite its unique design and excellent smoking qualities, the Calabash was not immediately well received by European pipe smokers.
After the war, Blatter returned to England to establish a market for his pipes but was met with skepticism.
British pipe manufacturers of the time dismissed the Calabash as a passing trend, refusing to invest in its production. Disappointed, Blatter returned to South Africa, leaving behind unsold inventory in England.
An Unexpected Turnaround
Only a year later, the Calabash pipe experienced an unexpected surge in popularity among European smokers.
When Blatter returned to London, he discovered that his previously unsold stock had completely sold out, and demand for his tobacco pipes had skyrocketed.
The market, which initially doubted its appeal, had finally recognized the true value of this iconic tobacco pipe.
Calabash Pipes: Video