I drank too much coffee this morning, so I got all excited and wrote this. Please discuss!
![Fencing :fencing:](./images/smilies/fencing.gif)
1. Aesthetics. The pipe looks complete (when done properly), it looks clean, and more importantly it looks inviting.
If the bowl is uncoated, one may be trepidatious about smoking it and "perverting" the clean briar. With a bowl coating in place, the smoker
can rest easy knowing that this pipe is, indeed, meant to be smoked. Also, a thin walled sandblasted/rusticated pipe will often have stain seep through
into the bowl. A non issue for smoking, but a big issue to a potential buyer.
2. Insurance for the pipe maker. While many smokers take proper care and precautions whilst breaking in a new pipe, some do not.
Those few may be vocal about problems with breaking in a pipe, and thus smear the otherwise good name of pipe maker, even though it was user error
and not the fault of the pipe. At best (some may argue) Bowl coatings may give a marginal protection from burnout, but it allows the pipemaker to answer
any problems with this: "I gave you all the tools you needed for a wonderful pipe, and therefore, I cannot be responsible for this. I can repair
it for you, but I bear no (esp. financial) responsibilty."
In a business with no insurance policies, no contracts, and almost entirely verbal transactions, it is important for the pipe makers to
ensure that each pipe has the best chance of success possible. I believe bowl coatings actually keep prices down by adding a safety net for makers
and smokers alike. Many smokers do not like bowl coatings, but I hope that if we could properly articulate why we do it, we would have less of an issue.
3. I'm no fan of sodium silicate (and don't use it) but I absolutely love my bowl coating. It's the prettiest coating I've come across (not to brag) and I know from experience that it tastes basically like nothing.
Which brings me to my point. Handmade artisan bowl coating are generally much better than factory pipe coatings. If I bought a pipe from Todd Johnson or Jeff Gracik or Tyler Beard or Ernie Markle, I trust that bowl coating (but never buy ernie's pipes, he smells bad).
TL&DR: In a business that is ENTIRELY reputation based, it makes sense that pipemakers would do what they can to prevent potential problems. Also, they look better, I don't care what you say.