The monkey pipe or fisherman’s friend pipe is an old classic. It was invented in the 90’s and virtually every pot-head I have ever known has had one of these at some point in their smoking career. For those who are unfamiliar with the monkey pipe, it is essentially a small wooden pipe with a joint in the middle so you can swivel it closed.
Monkey Pipe Review
This gets a little tricky because there are a few different styles of monkey pipe, my experience is with the slightly older fisherman’s friend model as well as the peabody model. The newer models have the anodized aluminum section and no longer have the “stash spot” that I loved so much in the fisherman’s friend.
Pros:
Convenience is the name of the game here. This little pipe rips well and fits perfectly in the palm of your hand. You can pack a bowl and fold the pipe closed, throw it in your pocket and you have a bowl ready to spark whenever the mood strikes. Who are we kidding though, one bowl rarely cuts it, this is where the stash spot comes in.
One of my favorite things about this pipe is if you swivel the metal cover away, you uncover a small stash spot for a little nug or brick of hash. It really is the perfect pipe for on-the-go stoners, kind of a hybrid between a pipe and a one hitter.
Cons:
One thing I notice on the sales page for this pipe is it is supposed to last a lifetime. While the construction is solid, it is extremely difficult to clean. After a few months of heavy use, you will be turning purple trying to get a rip. This isn’t the end of the world though, I don’t expect pieces like this to last forever, I don’t mind buying a new one once or twice a year. Thats really my only gripe with this pipe, not bad considering how critical I can be.
Final Thoughts
The monkey pipe / fisherman’s friend is a must have for any stoner. It is just as important as having a solid lighter or papers on hand in my humble opinion. While it will never replace your nice glass piece, it isn’t meant to. It is the pipe you grab before heading out to the park to play some frisbee with a few buds.
I am not too sure how many rip-offs of this pipe there are out there, but due to its popularity I am sure there are some. Look for the eye symbol to be sure you are getting a legit monkey pipe.
Blaze on friends.
