Players in filter pipes (above), from top, left: Vauen, Cary Magic Inch, Medico, Dr. Grabow, Adsorba; (front) Falcon, Bricham.

WOODEN FILTERS
Wooden filters are also popular. In 1982 Savinelli introduced its balsa-based Dry Filter System, for use in Savinelli convertible pipes, which today constitutes a majority of its production.

Bob Ysidron, of Savinelli USA, states, "We don’t call the Savinelli a true filter; we call it an absorption device, since it doesn’t filter the smoke in the way that others do."

Fair enough, but the Savinelli system, does inhibit some of the nicotine and moisture before it reaches the smoker. The three-sided balsa insert is easily removed, and an adapter takes its place, "converting" the filter pipe to a non-filter one.

New to the market is the Calabresi balsa-type filter, from Cristom Imports and Exports, for the also-new Metamorfosi pipe. The Calabresi filter is based on the same principle as the Savinelli, although shaped differently and longer in length. In addition, the Metamorfosi accepts either brand of balsa filter. But this pipe is unique for much more; it is the most flexible filter pipe in the world today. No other pipe offers the consumer a choice of using paper, charcoal, balsa, meerschaum, or any other type of six or nine millimeter filter on the market. All adapters, as well as a sample of filters, are included with every Metamorfosi.

If, after trying the various options, the pipesmoker prefers to forgo a filter, he may do so by adding an adapter that converts the pipe into a non-filter style. This is no "gimmick" pipe, but a truly ingenious, viable concept that sprang from the mind of Thomas Cristiano, who began his career at the Medico factory thirty years ago.

Although it is not currently being distributed in the U.S., the Brigham pipe filter, from Brigham Enterprises of Toronto, Canada, has been hugely successful in its domestic market. Quite unlike any other, the Brigham filter is a three-inch long, very narrow (4 mm) hollow tube made of rock maple and can only be used in Brighams’ pipes. This filter is far more reusable than other filters, simply requiring a rinsing with tap water. So popular is the exclusive Brigham filter, that upwards of 90 percent of Canadian smokeshops stock this decades-old bestseller.

There are other related "filter-type" products that should be mentioned. One of them is the meerschaum filter: a 9 mm cartridge filled with minute meerschaum pebbles or chips. Since meerschaum pipes themselves are naturally absorbent, the idea is that the small amount of meerschaum in this filter will absorb moisture in a similar manner. The company that produces the Maxim Natursystem meerschaum filter claims that laboratory studies indicate the use of this filter reduces nicotine by 75 percent and residual moisture by 25 percent.

Denicool Filter Crystals from Denicotea, which are distributed by Lane Ltd., are tiny crystals placed in the bottom of a pipe bowl before filling and smoking. As the pipe is smoked, the crystals absorb deleterious moisture and nicotine before they are drawn through the pipe shank. When finished, the crystals are discarded along with the ashes and dottle. In 1937, Denicotea introduced pipes which could hold the Denicool Filter Crystals. Danish pipemaker Eric Nording, whose pipes are distributed by Hollco-Rohr, has a similar idea in his EricsKeystone. Tiny clay pebbles are placed in the bottom of the bowl, similar to the Denicool product.

The Italian brand Brebbia, distributed by Monjure International, puts out a wide range of filter pipes. Currently, the only Brebbia filter pipes that are sold in the U.S. are of the 9 mm variety, but Brebbia also manufactures 3.5 and 6 mm filter pipes for other markets. Retailers that purchase 9 mm Brebbias can also stock Brebbia-branded charcoal filters.

One of the bigger distributors of filters and filter pipes is Music City Marketing, which counts among their brands Missouri Meerschaum corncobs, Dr. Grabow, Medico, Tatoo pipes and filters, and the largest selection of Big Ben (Dutch-made) pipes and filters in the U.S.

Philips & King is the exclusive U.S. distributor of Falcon pipes, made in England. These pipes feature screw-on bowls, which are interchangeable with any other Falcon. The Falcon International model is a worthy filter pipe: a cotton filter is placed in the shank and an additional dime-size filter called a Dry Ring is seated beneath the screw-on bowl. Dr. Grabow pipes and filters are also available at Philips & King and many other distributors.

As one can see, there are many filter pipe brands being manufactured today. Many American pipe smokers are shocked to learn that even premium pipe firms produce filter pipes. At a recent pipe show, when I mentioned to a Dunhill collector that the esteemed Dunhill firm, as well as Peterson (distributed by Ashton Pipes), Stanwell (distributed by Lane Ltd.), and many others produce 9 mm filter pipes for sectors of the European market, he literally blanched! For the U.S., Dunhills (Lane Ltd.) come only with a removable metal tube that acts as a moisture condenser.

OVERCOMING THE UNDERDOG IMAGE
Filters were a controversial issue with regard to cigarettes. In 1931, Parliament featured the first commercial filter tip: a wad of cotton soaked in caustic soda. Five years later, Brown & Williamson introduced Viceroy, the first serious brand to feature a filter of cellulose acetate. Initially, filtered cigarette sales were disappointing - almost nonexistent, in fact. In 1950, 2 percent of sales were for filter cigarettes; within 10 years that figure soared to 50 percent, and today it’s much greater. Figures are not currently available on sales of filtered versus non-filtered pipes in the US.

It has been widely reported that Germany, Europe’s largest pipe market, is dominated by filter pipes. It is estimated that 95 percent of all German pipe smokers currently use a 9 mm filter. Germany is not an anomaly, for majorities of Swiss and Austrian pipe smokers prefer filters. Emerging filter markets are coming of age in Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and to a smaller degree, France, England, Italy, Spain, and eastern European countries.

Cultural preferences are not static, but constantly evolving. Pipe smokers are, to be sure, a traditional lot, but not immune to change. Filters and filter pipes deserve a rightful place in today’s smoke shop. I’m not at all advocating the abandonment of non-filter pipes, rather I’m for choice. Pipe and filter manufacturers are bullish on the prospects of filter pipe sales in the US.

Retailers have told me that they don’t like filter pipes personally. I usually respond by asking, "do you mean to say that you personally enjoy every tobacco blend that you carry? Every cigar in your walk-in humidor? Every accessory?" The answer is, of course, no. But these items are stocked because customers purchase them; so it is with filters. I smoke both non-filter and filter pipes, depending on my mood. There are some English tobacco blends that I find too husky for my palate, but I find that if I smoke those blends in a (9 mm) filter pipe, the edges of the blends are rounded off, so to speak, and become more enjoyable. When smoking filter pipes, I smoke more in a day (which I prefer), consume more tobacco and filters, and make more frequent trips to my tobacconist.

Remind customers to monitor the overall condition of their filters as they become used. Frequent changes are necessary; I change filters, regardless of type, after every smoke. Underscore the importance of thorough pipe cleaning as well, since the pipe will look and taste better. Suggestive selling is often overlooked in pipe sales to new or infrequent customers. Pipe cleaners, sweeteners, reamers, Briar Pipe Wipe (an exclusive of Arango Cigar Co.), pipe rests and stands, pipe lighters, butane, flints, tampers, and pouches should be stocked and regularly, but gently, suggested to your customers. And don’t forget filters, a consumable product. Don’t cede their sales to your competitors.

James Lawson can be reached by email at jlawson@smokeshopmag.com