Frit’s a Wonderful Pipe: The Features and Characteristics of Wholesale Hand Pipes

Just like people, all types of pipes in bulk vary in appearance, and no two are identical (we really have to hand it to the glassblowers). From fritting to fuming, from color changing glass to bubbles, there are many a-quality wholesale glass pipes can have, either individually or collectively. 

Fritting

The most common, and possibly one of the most desirable, features found in bulk hand pipes is fritting, an element which gives a textured appearance despite the glass being completely smooth. Created, shockingly, from crushing pieces of vibrantly colored glass and slowly introducing them into the glass pipe, these little frits generate a different and unique result in each pipe. Additionally, the crushed pieces can vary from an incredibly fine powder to serrated shards, depending on both the size of the pipe and the desired decoration.

Fuming

Challenging fritting for the top feature of wholesale glass pipes, fuming is a smooth contender, worthy of much appreciation. Present in many of the pipes for resale we have available, fuming was initially created by a guy we all know as the father of the hammer bubbler, Bob Snodgrass (our deepest condolences for his childhood), when he dipped silver in front of his torch while working. Little did he know, he was a trailblazer for other artists to start experimenting with other metals, such as gold and platinum. The heat of the torch vaporizes the precious metals, while the flame carries the fumes safely between the glass, creating the beautiful, familiar features everyone can appreciate. Unlike other characteristics, this is one that can be enhanced by use and gives wholesale hand pipes their “color changing” feature.

Dichro

One of the many techniques employed by the comedic and talented artisans at Empire Glassworks, dichroic glass is held in high esteem due to the method of creation and effect produced. While it is more a finish than it is a feature, it requires more than the average pipe – precious metals (such as gold, silver, titanium, chromium, etc.), a vacuum, and extreme kiln-fired temperatures. With just enough skill, the result is a marvelous and captivating array of colors, created by a transmission color and a reflected color, causing different wavelengths of light to pass or be reflected. Much like the originality and distinctiveness present in frit pipes, no two dichroic glass wholesale pipes are alike.

While these characteristics aren’t only present within bulk glass pipes, they are most readily used in them due to their size, ease of production, and general popularity. The prices are typically driven up due to the size of larger pieces (such as wholesale bubblers for resale) and the amount of materials necessary to create the sought-after effect. Sandblasting and frosting is a technique more often associated with bulk water pipes, as are percolators or simple marble decorations. Whichever feeds your customers fancy, our selection of bulk wholesale smoking accessories for resale can deliver. 

Pictured: P1916