Bartlett Upside Down Pipe

[JustTroItIn]

I have a thing for odd ball pipes and have been eying Bartletts for a while. I recently picked this one up
.

The Bartlett has a screen in the bottom and a screw on cap on top. The pipe is filled from the top, lit from the bottom, and smoked so the tobacco burns from the bottom up.



From what I have read the idea behind the design was to eliminate gurgle. I have also heard it was designed to be a “rainy day” pipe and would stay lit in inclement weather.

The above pics were taken prior to cleaning up so lets see how she turned out.





So the big question, how does it smoke?




I have smoked two bowls so far, one PS Cube Cut and another PA. From my experience so far, this design is a bust. The first ¼ of the bowl smokes OK, but losing the ability to tamp makes keeping it lit after that point a real pain. I will have to play around with packing technique and also try it out as an outdoor pipe on windy days. It's a neat idea and I haven't completely given up on it yet but this one may end up being a shelf queen.

[Emperor Zurg]

I just smoke a straight cob upside down in the rain. Seems to work fine, although I wouldn't try it indoors.

[Tobias Lutz]

Well that is certainly a novelty, I always enjoy you sharing your oddity finds. Perhaps smoking something more of a shag cut that is packed moderately firm would burn better?

[Chris0673]

As a fan of oddball pipes myself, I'll have to look for one of these! Seems like more of a novelty thing but still kinda cool! Dangit, @JustTroItIn you're tweakin my PAD! LOL

[Griz]

Neat looking pipe, but I'd be hesitant to smoke it indoors.

[NeverBend]

I just smoke a straight cob upside down in the rain. Seems to work fine, although I wouldn't try it indoors.

Bill,

I'm getting worried about you...