Hey, What Happened To The Bongs?

[sarazorz]

SO back about 10 years ago you'd walk into a head shop and see a bunch of beautifully crafted, artistic, interesting glass pieces. Like these:

 

These days, when I walk into a head shop, all the bongs look like this:

 

Not that the artsy ones can't be found anywhere, but I see a lot of shops stocking these sort of clear glass beaker bongs on their shelves and only a couple artsy ones. Apparently these types of bongs have become quite popular. Not that there is a problem with that, people have their own preferences about what they use and that is fine. But, I really do miss the pretty art glass pieces. I have a few theories...

 

1. My first theory is that since the popularity of medical marijuana, people are more interested in pieces that appear more "clinical" ie: a bong essentially made in the shape of chemistry beaker. I dunno, maybe people prefer these bongs over the artsy ones because they have a more legitimate/medical feel? That last pic looks like a chemist doing a science experiment on his kitchen table!
2. The other theory is from an art perspective; maybe the oldschool (artsy, hyper-colored, busy, almost impressionistic) bongs are simply out of style and people are more interested in the contemporary newschool (clean lines, clear glass, modern and minimalistic) bongs.
3. The last theory is that somehow these new beaker bongs simply perform better. I wouldn't know, I don't own one.

Perhaps I ponder one too many things. Or maybe I just notice stupid stuff. Who knows, either way, I'm curious about what you guys have to say about this. Feel free to post pics or talk about your glass pieces and why you chose them!

 

PS: Remember when acrylic tube bongs were king? I think I just revealed my age...

[SparklyBuds]

I think both your theories could be valid. Watching design shows, there are a lot of people that like clean lines. Me, I like the artsy ones but I have never found an affordable one. I think the first bong I smoked out of was ceramic, a grim reaper.

 

You're right about that bottom one, looks like someone doing science. I would need an instruction book for how to use that!

[The Digital Nomad]

maybe its your shops - check out BDT's in Roseville or Hazel Park - they have a collection of bongs that will rival many shops. They also still have the acrylic bongs (cheap), plain glass bongs (cheap), and those tricky, artsy bongs (expensive).

 

The bong on the bottom was obviously cluster screwed by the photographer - those parts are probably from several bongs. Using those parts you can add filters, extra purcolators, a frozen/iced section for cooling - to mellow the smoke (and I wonder why you need it, because good medical marijuana smokes good anyways).

 

I would avoid plastics today, go for glass. You do not need all the purcolators and fittings - I don't use them. You should get 420Cleaner - to clean your bong on a regular basis - since medical grade marijuana taste so good, why ruin it with a dirty bong. I also would not pay $350 for a artsy bong, parts tend to get broken on regular use.

 

-DN

[Guest Happy Guy]

They are called 'water pieces' now. They look the way they do because of innovations to make them work better. It's hard to keep up with the day to day improvements. The biggest breakthrough I have seen is in the attachments to vape cannabis oil. Most of the improvements to the water pieces are to make the smoke, or vapor, less harsh. The newest oil attachments makes the oil go a lot further when vaped. You get twice as many hits off the same amount of oil. Some of the water pieces are nearly unbreakable now. I saw a demo where a vender clears off a shelf of expensive water pieces with his arm and they smash to the floor in a pile... unbroken.

[skipper1963]

I have never owned one before.

 

When we went to buy one for the first time this past May I got a bong that was a little artsy, small, glass and very cute. I got it with my daughter's favorite color and not too expensive. Like Digital Nomad says, "parts tend to get broken on regular use".

 

The shop we were in had some bongs that were huge, 4 or more people could use it at the same time; these ones were pretty expensive.

 

Skipper

[treehugger]

The "Art Bong" period came about when a bunch of west coast heads discovered that they could make a decent living hand-blowing artistic glass smoking-ware. The DEA stepped in and did their busting and confiscating dance and the industry crumbled. Beaker bongs can be made in factories without the pretensions, investments, and liability's associated with american jobs.

[svandyke09]

I prefer the artsy bong personally, but I think what is really selling these scientific glass bongs is more of the brand name and some great marketing. People are buying pieces just because they are blown by RooR, PHX, Illadelph etc, because these companies have strong reputations for great quality glass, where as if you purchase an artsy bong as far as you know that piece could have just been another china import like most glass is these days.

[LongHairBri]

check out "42 Degrees" in A2. the artzy bongs live on there. BRING LOTS OF CASH! art ain't cheap!!!!

[sarazorz]

check out "42 Degrees" in A2. the artzy bongs live on there. BRING LOTS OF CASH! art ain't cheap!!!!

 

I have been to 42 degrees All the cool stuff is incredibly expensive and behind glass cases.

 

On the topic of smaller pieces, they haven't changed much have they Still find a robust selection of artsy pipes no matter where I go, which is cool.

 

The "Art Bong" period came about when a bunch of west coast heads discovered that they could make a decent living hand-blowing artistic glass smoking-ware. The DEA stepped in and did their busting and confiscating dance and the industry crumbled. Beaker bongs can be made in factories without the pretensions, investments, and liability's associated with american jobs. -treehugger

 

Makes sense, treehugger!

 

Some of the water pieces are nearly unbreakable now.

 

A reason why I like acrylic is because of the clumsiness factor. Plus you can always get a glass bowl for it instead of using the stock metal ones. And yeah, they're cheap. If I had all the money in the world, though, I'd be picking out some insane looking art glass. The super thick, heavy kind that you're talking about! I also love the ceramic ones, they're really pretty, but I like to be able to see through the piece to know how much smoke is in the chamber.

 

Thanks for the input guys Interesting to hear your comments!

[Afi]

There still out there but since they shot down Jerome Baker It has not been the same. A lot of the high dollar glass blowers disappeared around the same time. I believe it was around the time they busted Tommy Chong. If you don`t know what Jerome Baker bongs are look them up. By far some of the best pieces ever made.

Peace, Afi

[Darkmatter]

http://michiganmedicalmarijuana.org/topic/26240-got-glass-xxx-glass-porn-xxx/page__st__60__p__298766__hl__glass__fromsearch__1#entry298766

 

Sara, Check out the "Glass Porn" section.

[Big J]

Shakedown street in grand rapids has an amazing selection of both. Plus Joe the owner is a great guy. Personally i love making them out of other cool objects of the glass persuasion. Now a friend has been bringing me beakers i haven't posted the new.one i made yet got another piece of glass i am trying to figure out how to use.

[1337Gr33n]

I use Mystic Mill. They have both arty and glassy. Most of it is hand blown glass. I have a scientist bong, because the addons are carcinogen filters to be used with water. I do taste less flavor that way. but it helps my wife be able to use this medicine. she can't go 'unfiltered' too often, for health reasons. i'll post a pic eventually in the glass porn section.

[1337Gr33n]

OK, Here is the GLASS PORN thread. and here are a couple of pics of my main piece. cleaned last night (gets a lot of use). The Large vertical portion is made by Migrant Glass The Add On is made by ATX. The bottom picture is the Add on with a stem on it. The final piece is self explanatory. I prefer flavor and effect through smoking joints. but the filtration in this thing is said to be 95% fully loaded.

 

 

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEr2B6ODeFA

[1337Gr33n]

here is some old school wood. These are pieces gifted to me from a friend in Amsterdam, hand carved.