Build Your Custom Dab Tool Kit During TAG's Holiday Sale

If you're a dabber looking for the best dab tools or cheapest dab rigs then coming to Thick Ass Glass' holiday sale is going to be your best choice of the year. As an experienced dabber, you know that the right tools can make or break a good dabbing session, and that quality tools make for a better dab.

So when you're looking at 30% off the entire store at TAG, with everything from dab rigs to ceramic nails and quartz bangers to dabbers on sale, you're going to come out a winner. Here are just a few highlights for folks who love the dabbing scene:

Quartz Bangers

One of the beautiful things about TAG is that we don't just stock "the same old" when it comes to smoking and dabbing accessories. A prime example we should talk about here is probably the TAG 30x2mm Quartz Banger. Now, it's important to note that this is a freakin' big banger.

If you're new to the dabbing game, we probably would recommend AGAINST such a huge banger, but seasoned pros asked for this particular bucket, and TAG provided. Not only is this thick, high quality quartz... it's also laser engraved with the TAG logo. And hey, who can doubt the words of TAG customer Felixe B., who notes, "It's lit".

Yes Felixe. It is.

Quartz bangers aren't always the same old at TAG, as we noted. A good example might be the TAG Quartz Trough High Flow Banger, a super thick, completely fantastic "trough shaped" banger that is simply going to change your dabbing style forever. This is FDA Grade Quartz crystal at its best, or as customer John S. puts it, "Way better than any of the headshop quartz I've had and for a lot less money."

We like your attitude, John.

Dabbers

Let's face it... A dabbing enthusiast without a decent dabber/carb cap combo is like a knight without a sword - good looking, brave and tough - but frankly not getting much done. Fortunately, TAG provides the arsenal for any dabbing knight, and we'll start with the 3" Titanium Carb Cap with Dabber.

If you have a domeless nail already, there really is no better dabber than this, a Grade 2 Titanium monster with a ball point that is always available to help you grab your sweet, sweet legal concentrates. This is a hugely popular item at TAG with over 26 customer reviews, but we think that "Carl" says it all when he notes, "The dabber unscrews from the cap and can be mount on top or on the side depending on your preference. Like most TAG products this carb cap is a solid buy."

Now, for those with a taste for Quartz dabbing tools, you're definitely going to want to check out both the Quartz Banger UFO Carb Cap, and if you happened to purchase the trough banger above, the gorgeous 4" Quartz Trough Carb Cap Dabber. For the former, this is one of the cheapest carb caps available and fits most Quartz bangers out there, so you can pretty much consider this a somewhat universal carb cap.

The latter item, meanwhile, is a dabber that just screams "Dab Power!". This beauty is available as both clear and Slyme Quartz, and as Nick L notes, "It works perfectly, makes my trough from TAG work like a completely different nail."

Your New Dab Rig

Well, since you're at TAG shopping already, doesn't it just make a ton of sense to pick yourself up a handy, dandy new dab rig? We think so... and our recommendation here is the 9.5" Fixed Super Slit Showerhead Froth Diffuser Dab Rig. First of all, this is a dab rig that can be had in its second quality version, with a glass nail (or a slide if you order the female version) for under $45.

Now, you did not read that wrong. Forty five bones for a beautiful, 5mm thick rig with a classic and effective showerhead perc. This one diffuses very nicely, according to Luke K., who states that this rig, "works mad nice." We'll take it, Luke K!

Get Going!

Now, it would be a great thing if TAG's holiday sale was all year long, but sadly it is not. You only have until December 19 to get this solid gold savings, so now is NOT THE TIME TO PROCRASTINATE! Get to it, friends, while the getting is very good.

source https://www.thickassglass.com/blogs/enlightenment/custom-dab-tools-kit

Hiding The Smoke Smell

Just because you enjoy a certain hobby doesn’t necessarily mean you want to broadcast it to the entire world. Many people like to keep their hobbies private, and when you're talking smoking, you're probably talking about some kind of stigma involved. Hence, when you enjoy legal herbs and concentrates for either recreational or pain management, you might not want the universe to know.

There are certainly eye drops you can get to minimize the redness but smell of smoke is one of those things that’s a bit harder to cover up. People who smoke tobacco run into the same issue: the smell can cling. It clings to your hair, your clothing, your shoes, vehicle; anything. There are ways to manage and minimize the smell while still enjoying your hobby to the fullest. Maybe you need to manage it for work or maybe you just don’t like the smell of it yourself. Whatever your reason, here are some handy tricks for you to try.

When It’s On Your Person

Having the smell of legal herbs clinging to your clothes can dampen anyone’s mood. You don’t necessarily want to broadcast to your office what you do on your spare time and maybe you just want to save yourself the sermon from a conservative relative.

The best option to remove the smell from your clothes, skin and hair is to have a shower and change your clothes. Sounds simple, right? It might be simple but it’s not always doable. If you’ve had a hit while on your lunch break you don’t want to smell of it when you get back to work. So what can you do?

A lot of the same things people who smoke tobacco do:

• Brush your teeth right after smoking. If you can, chew some gum. This will help remove the smell from your breath.
• Lotions and body sprays can help cover up the odor on your skin and clothes in a pinch.
• Essential oils can also do this, but they are more powerful so require you to be a bit stingier with their usage.
• Going outside to bask in the sun helps a lot. The UV rays neutralize odors so maybe take a toke in the beginning of your lunch break and go for a nice 30-45-minute walk outside afterwards.
• If you’ve got hair on the longer side, tie it back. When you’re done having a smoke, let it down so that the air can help diffuse the smell over all your hair.

In The Air

The place you probably smoke the most is in your house. It’s your space and you should feel comfortable in it. That doesn’t mean your guests are going to share the same sentiments. If you’ve got friends or family popping by you probably want to show them your home at its best. It’s even more important to deal with the lingering smell and smoke in the air if you have pets or small children at home.

You can deal with the smell in the air with something as simple as an air purifier. These things work to remove all smells from the air. This will help remove the smell from the air as well as any carpet, upholstery and walls. It won’t be odd to have this in your house because more and more people are using them just to have fresh air in their homes.

Another option is to use a home-made device called a “sploof” or “doob-tube”. You simply take an empty toilet paper or paper towel roll and stuff it with dryer sheets. When you’re ready to exhale, do so into the tube and it will filter the smell and smoke for you. There are more advanced versions of this tool because even though you can make it yourself, you’ll probably go through quite a few.

You could also try vaping with a dab rig if you really want to keep the smell from the air. There are vaporizer pens that you can get which can help with this. Since you aren’t actually combusting your legal herb or concentrate, the smell that gets emitted is nowhere near as strong as smoke. You can also leave your material in your vape pen and won’t have to worry about the smell leeching into your clothing. It’s a pretty solid win.

Go Outside

It’s pretty straightforward: the best way to keep the smell minimal and not allow it to settle onto your furniture or body is to smoke in a nice, well-ventilated area. The outdoors fits this the best. It’s understandable that you might not be able to make this work, however.

Not everyone has a private backyard where they can enjoy themselves without potentially bothering the neighbors. The same could be said against sitting in the window sill and exhaling outside. Yeah, the smell isn’t in your house, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t drifted into someone else’s pad.

Fight Hard

One thing to keep in mind is that candles and air fresheners do a great job of masking smells, but they don’t necessarily remove them. Their scents will fade as well and sometimes they don’t mix too well with the scent of your hobby. Stronger smells will always overpower weaker ones, so you could always consider cooking with garlic or something with a powerful scent to help overpower the smells you don’t want other people to notice.

Hopefully the tips we’ve laid out for you will help make your life a little easier and allow you to enjoy yourself without stressing about potentially reeking afterwards. Because, really, if your hobby is stressing you out then it’s not doing it’s job.

source https://www.thickassglass.com/blogs/enlightenment/hiding-the-smoke-smell

Why Stop At One? Collecting Water Pipes & Dab Rigs

When you have a hobby that requires more than one piece of gear, it’s really easy to get caught up in collecting. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that, friends. When it comes to recreational legal herbs there are many glass pipes that can not only add to your collection and serve a different functional purpose. This makes it pretty seriously easy to justify hitting up your wallet for another piece.

Different situations call for different water pipes and it’s nice to be able to handle anything that gets thrown your way. But there’s a difference in assembling a huge collection just for the hell of it, and creating somethign special. There are some basics you should think about in order to round out what you’ve got. We’ll walk you through what pieces are a must for any avid collector.

Basic is Best

If you’re into the herbs and smoke on a regular basis you’ll want to ensure you’re stocked with a basic water pipe like this. While there are many cool designs out there that work pretty awesome as a conversation starter, if you’re smoking alone that doesn’t really matter.

It’s a smart idea to have your basic water pipe be made of scientific glass and to try to keep the size under 15”. This glass beaker pipe, as an example, will let you see the amount of smoke and water inside which will help you control your hits.

Basic water pipes should meet basic needs: size, percolation and construction. Keeping all of this simplified will help you from getting too caught up with the flashy pieces that are available out there. Remember, we said basic. A piece that meets these needs will be easier to clean, store and go softer on the throat.

Dab It While It’s Hot

If you partake of concentrates along with your legal herbs then you want to make sure you have yourself an outstanding rig from our dab rig collection. While you could totally use a dry herb glass pipe to take care of your concentrates as well, there are some serious drawbacks that should make you think otherwise.

Residue from dabbing is going to affect the flavor of your legal herbs in a way that’s not overly pleasant. Also, dab rigs were created for a reason. It’s almost cruel not to use them for concentrates. Again, you can get several cool pieces (this one is severely awesome), but if you want to have a basic piece in your collection, look for something with a 90 degree angle joint to help support using a torch and look for something lightweight. You don’t want this to be awkward to use and carrying around too many heavy pieces detracts from the chill feeling you want to enjoy from dabbing.

Travel Size for your Convenience

If you’re a social smoker and tend to go to a lot of gatherings and parties and want to bring your gear with you, you’ll want to make sure you have a nice, smaller water pipe like this that can make that journey with you. You’ll need to be careful about what it’s made out of and how you transport it. You don’t want to be shattering your gear while in transit.

Silicone might be the way to go if you find yourself on the road more often than not. Something under 7” would do the trick if you want to have something that’s easily portable. You can also consider a reclaim collector for your concentrates. These babies were made to be transportable so you know you’ll have an easy time with them.

Since most dab rigs are already small, you should be fine with whatever strikes your fancy. Just make sure you don’t go tossing your glass gear into the back of your car or you’ll be sorry when it comes time to pull it out.

Let’s Get The Party Started

Everyone likes having that piece they can show off. You could consider it the center of your collection. These are nice to add to your collection because it allows you to show off your own personal smoking style.

The majority of water pipes made specifically for showing off are crafted by glass artists. They are typically called, "functional glass art". You know that these pieces are functional and beautiful. Realistically you don’t have to even use this kind of piece. You can just set it on display and let it do the talking for you. But if you’ve gone through the trouble of selecting something that suits your personal style, why wouldn’t you want to bring it out when some friends are over? Just remember that the more elaborate the construction, the more time it’ll take to clean. Well worth the pain.

Come One, Come All

Now that you’ve gotten the party started with your pretty piece, you might find that you’ve got a big group that wants to partake of legal herbs together. This is where the bigger pieces like this 30" beaker monster are going to come in handy. While the current myth is that bigger bongs give you more potent hits, the reality is that they are just able to hold more smoke so that those partaking can get an equal hit.

Bigger bongs are going to be heavier, but that’s okay. Being closer to the ground is better when you want to share with several people. This will help prevent you from knocking it over and ruining your time.

Wind It Up

Here you’ve got a nice little list to help you get started on building your collection of pipes and other gear. You want to make sure you have some basic pieces to form the foundation and then branch out with more elaborate or exciting pieces like recyclers, depending on what you want to use them for.

We’ve given you four examples of situations where you might want a special piece to use, but in reality the opportunities are endless. There’s a lot of great gear out there, so take a gander through TAG's site and see if you can’t find that special piece that will just add the finishing touch to your collection.

source https://www.thickassglass.com/blogs/enlightenment/collecting-water-pipes-dab-rigs

Smoking Accessories For Cheap During TAG's Holiday Sale

When is there a better time to save money on smoking accessories than Thick Ass Glass' amazing holiday sale? We're not sure. In fact, it may not exist. This is a serious sale that many glass enthusiast wait all year for. Well, it's here, people. Time to stock up on some excellent glass items.

Slides

Alright, so hands up anyone that has dropped a slide in their porcelain sink? Who have had one slip through their fingers during a session, and crash heavily onto the floor. Well, if ever there was a time to buy some extra slides, friends, it's now.

The TAG Pinched Screen Slide With Handle, particularly the On-Sale Black Label 18mm version, is literally at wholesale-type prices. Do you know anywhere else that you can get a solid, thick glass slide for under $3? We don't either. The regular version, labeled or not, no matter the color, is under $6.

Don't forget to also take a look at the newer version of this TAG slide, the Built In Screen Slide With Handle. Also under six bones. Tons of designs. 14 and 18mm sizes.

Great design, superb functionality, and with the screen built in. If you haven't picked up a few extra slides, what exactly are you waiting for?

Drop Down Adapters

Find that your water pipe's main joint is a little too high for your ashcatcher plus a reclaim adapter? Worry not, oh smoking accessory loving friend. With TAG drop down adapters, such as the 1" dropdown, you can adjust your slide's height with very little problem at all. Need to go seriously lower because you're rockin' one of TAG's massive 21" Sextuple Honeycomb Water Pipe? Not a problem. You're going to want to look at the 2" drop down. This is one of those accessories that rarely, if ever, goes on sale. Why not pick up a couple for your glass collection today?

Keck Clips

Have you lost good slides or ash catchers due to random smoking accidents? Hey... it happens. Let's face it, a lot of your water pipe's stress points are at risk when you use an ashcatcher, sadly. How many times have we pulled up a slide only to discover the whole ashcatcher was coming with it? That the drop down you just bought has decided to "stick" to your new slide?

With Keck Clips like these, you really shouldn't have to worry again. Keck clips allow you to firmly attach dropdown adapters, slides or ashcatchers to your water pipe so that it's locked in, and ready to go. For a little over $2, this is the kind of insurance policy that practically every smoker can afford. Get a few now and save yourself a lot of pain!

Reclaim Catchers

Always thought about getting a reclaim catcher for your water pipe, but perhaps a little shy of coin? How about the TAG Universal Reclaim Catcher Adapter for under $10? How about the same thick glass construction that goes into all of our glass pipes? Did we mention this thing is Universal? Get your reclaim happening now and start benefiting from this reclaimer's sweet dividends.

Downstems

As a final note, we would be hugely remiss if we did not mention one of the most breakable accessories in the smoking world: the Downstem. TAG features a full line of multiple sizes of downstem, all of them featured here. Being TAG products, though, there's more than just your boring, mildly slitted ends. Nope, a creative smoker will want to check out the TAG 18mm Matrix Downstem. Truly superb diffusion for under $15.

Meanwhile, this amazing 18mm 9 Arm Tree Perc Downstem is pretty much the bee's knees when it comes to thick, awesomely diffusing downstems. We dare you to find better diffusion! Double dare, even.

That's not it in terms of smoking accessories, of course. Remember that virtually everything is on sale during Thick Ass Glass' Black Friday Super Sale.

Hey, it's "Super" because it lasts a month! Get your glass smoking accessories today and save big time.

 

 

source https://www.thickassglass.com/blogs/enlightenment/smoking-accessories-cheap

Dab Nails & Carb Caps

If you dab, it's pretty likely you’ll have an essential piece of hardware called a nail. In most applications, you need this to complete the dabbing experience. But did you know that carb caps like this are also useful for dabbing? Lots of people think that carb caps are unnecessary but there’s a lot they’re missing out on by not using one. We’ll go through the different types of nails that are available to help you decide which one suits your needs. We’ll also give you a rundown on why carb caps are so misunderstood. A basic list of dab essentials is here.

Nail Me to the Wall

Like we said before, nails are an essential tool for dabbing. You can’t dab without them but they come in so many different types of materials it can be hard choosing the right one for your needs. You can get nails in glass, ceramic, quartz and titanium. Most dab rigs will come standard with a glass nail but you’ll probably want to upgrade that sooner rather than later.

What a lot of people don’t realize, especially when they’re new to dabbing, is that glass is weak and fragile. Glass can’t withstand consistent high temperatures in one spot without breaking. And that just leaves you with a hot mess you should probably avoid.

A great, light-weight alternative to glass is quartz. These nails are just as pretty and come in several different styles. Just like the rest of the smoking accessories out there, nails come in male and female joints so you’ll have to make sure you get the one that fits your gear.

These are some of the type of nails that you’ll come to get comfortable with:

• Domeless – These nails have a crown design that boasts a raised centerpiece. This has great airflow and is super easy to clean.
• Daisy Nail – This one is pretty to look at with it’s bowl design and the 8 slits that are around the edges. TAG has one here. This helps distribute airflow so that no matter where on the nail you’re dabbing from, you legal concentrates and oils will vaporize evenly.
• Banger Nail – This one helps manage heat stress on your gear with a long winding tube that connects to a dish that you keep the heat away from the joint. Many people don’t realize heat stress builds up over time and your joints are prime areas for stress.
• Domeless Halo Nail – The halo design is pretty fresh and sets it apart from standard nails. The slits in it that loop over the dish function as a pathway to your water pipe. The vapor from your legal concentrates and oils gets pulled up evenly through the slit, resulting in a better taste.
• Honey Bucket – This design helps keep your concentrates away from the dish itself by protecting them from the large chamber they rest in. There is almost a mini filtration system before the vapor hits your dab rig.

These are just some examples of what you can look forward to when you dab. Comb through the designs and pick the one that works best for you. If you want one with flair, it’ll be easy to find it among these choices.

Popping Caps

Remember what we said about caps in the beginning? The best thing about caps is that they help you enjoy those dabs at low temperatures. Quartz is a must for these because this material is far more durable than the glass you might find.

The basics of a cap is in two parts: heat retention and airflow restriction. The airflow restriction is going to give you a better tasting dab with less effort. You’ll see caps with holes in the top that are designed for domeless nails. These holes restrict the amount of air that enters the nail. This restriction enables dabbers to get a better taste without having their hit weakened by extra oxygen.

The cap being placed on a nail turns it into a mini oven. This allows you to maintain your heat for a longer period of time without having to torch your nail again. Because the heat is trapped, it’s constantly circulating, and which helps keep the temperature consistent. This isn’t a lengthy process though as it lasts for only a short period of time. You’ll still need to work on your temperature control skills.

The Choice is Yours

The decision on what kind of nail you use and whether or not you decide to opt in or out for a cap really begins and ends with you. You’ve got to consider what you want to get out of dabbing and what style of dabber you are. Carefully review the information we’ve laid out for you and do your research. Ask your friends who are into dabbing what they think and go from there.

Every person enjoys their hobby in a personal, intimate way. Don’t be afraid if your ideal of a perfect dab rig is different from your friend who has been dabbing for years. You’re different people with different needs. Hopefully the information we’ve provided you with today can make your decision-making process and your dabbing experience a better one.

source https://www.thickassglass.com/blogs/enlightenment/dab-nails-carb-caps

Dab Enails

If you’re a serious dabber and don’t like having to heat up a nail with a torch on a regular basis because you find that you’re just blowing through butane, you may want to consider an electronic nail. Called e-nails for short, this piece combines the nail with the torch to help you keep your experience efficient and enjoyable. There are several reasons why many dabbers like having these costly little numbers on hand instead of a traditional nail and torch. Let's get into it.

The Power is Yours

With an e-nail, you have more control. We know that dabbing at high temperatures is super easy with a torch. You literally just turn it on and fire the flame at your nail and heat that sucker up. But you don’t have control over that. There are people out there that believe dabbing at lower temperatures, like within the 600 degree range, will lead to inhales that are tastier and less harsh on your throat and lungs. Since the e-nail is electronic, you can program what exact temperature you want coming from your nail and it will heat it up to precisely that. It won’t go over or under.

With all this power in your hands, you also take guesswork out of how hot, or cold, your nail actually is. You won’t have to rely on deciphering what color your nail is as it gets heated to know when exactly to dab. The e-nail will tell you.

This is good for those of us who are a little bit more anal about precision. You also avoid running the risk of ruining your dab by waiting too long or not long enough to apply your concentrate to the nail.

Show Me The Money

You’re not wasting money on concentrates anymore, but is that it? No way! While the e-nail is more costly in the beginning, it certainly pays for itself in the long run.

E-nails can run you around $250 depending on where you get them and what features they have. That can really dent your wallet if you’re just starting, so many newcomers to dabbing will steer clear from them for their dab tool kit. If you’ve got the change or are more experienced and looking to invest in your hobby, getting an e-nail will save you bigger bucks in the long run.

We already told you how they’ll save you from wasting your concentrates, but they’ll also save you money on fuel. Remember we said the e-nail combines the torch with the nail for efficiency? Because you won't need a torch, you won’t constantly need to buy butane to refill it. The cost of butane can seriously add up if you’re serious about this hobby. For people who dab daily, they can need to refill their torches more often than they’d like.

You save money on fuel and you save money by not letting your dabs go up in smoke, literally, before you can enjoy them. So far we think this is a pretty serious win for the e-nail.

Don’t Play With Fire

Now it’s time to play a little devil’s advocate here. Yeah, the e-nail sounds beautiful and easy to use, which it is. But with great power comes great responsibility.

The basic function of the e-nail is that you plug it in and it heats up right away. It’ll stay hot for as long as you have it plugged in which is great if you’ve got a group dabbing. You won’t have to worry about the nail cooling down between hits which will make your concentrate go farther.

However, there is a serious danger with e-nails that you need to be aware of. We already mentioned it above: it stays hot the entire time it’s plugged in. What do you think that means? That means if you plug it in and walk away, it’ll be hot. If someone goes to touch it, you’re going to have some serious burns. These things can get up with 1200 degrees and that is definitely remove some layers of skin. Another concern is that if you walk away while it’s on, there is a higher likely hood of something, like fabric, coming into contact with the nail and starting a fire.

Are you terrified into paying attention now? Good. That’s all you really need to do: pay attention. There are some higher end e-nails that have a safety feature built in where the nail will turn off if it’s on for too long or the temperature gets too high. It is totally worth it to spring for this feature. Peace of mind is priceless.

Lack of Portability

The only other serious drawback to the e-nail is that you need to be somewhere with power. This means no dabbing parties out on the deck or on a camping trip. If you’ve got portable sources of power that’s one thing, but most people don’t think to have or carry things like that. It just means that your dabbing can’t be overly spontaneous unless you also keep a torch on hand for situations like this.

The Choice is Yours

We think we’ve made a pretty good case for e-nails here. Just like everything in the smoking hobby, there are pros and cons. You’ve got to think about who you are as a dabber and consider whether or not this investment is for you. For serious smokers who enjoy on a daily basis, you really can’t go wrong with an e-nail. If you’re just starting or aren’t as hardcore as daily, you might shy away. Either way, we’ve got something for you, no matter what you decide.

source https://www.thickassglass.com/blogs/enlightenment/dab-enails

Healthstones

Just because you have a hobby that requires you to inhale vapors doesn’t mean you can’t be healthy about it. People smoke and inhale because they enjoy the feeling it gives them. No one wants to harsh on their throats and lungs, but that can be an unfortunate side effect of dabbing or smoking legal herbs. When you dab, you’re more than likely using a butane torch to heat up your nail. Getting your face that close also puts you at risk of inhaling butane vapors and messing up the taste of your dab.

There’s a way around that which won’t make it harder for you to enjoy your dab without destroying your body. It’s called a Healthstone and it’s a relatively new addition to dabbing that helps users enjoy what they’re doing in a safe manner.

What Does It Do?

In short, a health stone uses something called a vapor stone: this thing is an inert piece that doesn’t have high heat retention or emit any chemicals or gasses. That’s already a plus. You put the concentrate on the stone directly and use a torch to heat it up.  The dab is going to get absorbed into the stone and it’ll sit there until it gets hot enough to vaporize so that you can suck it out through your pipe.

One thing to keep in mind is that you don’t want to point your flame directly on top of your concentrate. That’s just going to make your hit go up in a puff of smoke, literally, when you set it on fire. Try to hold it to the side so that you’re aiming over the top of the stone, but not right down on top of it. Clear as mud? Great.

Why Do I Want This

Anything that makes your hobby better on your body should be a no-brainer.  Like we explained above, the healthstone is inert. If you don’t know what that means, it refers to the fact that the concentrate gets absorbed into the stone itself and the vapor will move in to the pipe, not out into the air. This makes your hits more concentrated without having to light up a whole bunch of product. It also helps you use less to get more. That’s something everyone can get behind.

I’m New. Is This For Me?

If you’re new to the dabbing scene you might not want to dive right into using a healthstone. Unless you have literal money to burn. Because the healthstone is a bit different from heating up the nail you run the risk of combusting your product and losing it to the wind. Not only does that suck, but the inhaling the combusted product is way harsher on your throat and lungs which makes this a lot less comfortable than it should be. You’re smoking to find a way to relax or reduce pain, right? Don’t make it harder for yourself.

The reason why this is not really recommended for newcomers to the scene is the temperature control you’ll need to have when using your torch. Some torches get up to 2000 degrees which seems insane, but is actually quite normal. When you use a healthstone you don’t need to heat it up to that high of a temperature. You want it to be more around the 400-450 range in order to make it work properly. New users generally don’t have the finesse when it comes to regulating heat which can make for a discouraging experience.

Things to Consider

Just because you don’t have the finesse doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try. You just need to be careful and watch what you’re doing. If you’ve got a large torch on hand you may want to invest in something smaller before you try a healthstone out for the first time. A smaller torch will produce a smaller flame and make it easier to navigate what you’re doing. Something like a cigar-style lighter is going to make your life a whole lot easier. Even if you’ve been doing this for a long time, you might want to have one of these smaller torches on hand just to save yourself some headaches down the line.

Light it Up

You should have a pretty good grasp on what a healthstone is now and why you might want to use it. It’s healthier for you, easily portable and looks pretty sweet. The healthstone just falls into place so when you’re replacing them you shouldn’t have any issues. If you find that your healthstone is stuck and doesn’t just pop out like it should when you’re trying to replace it don’t panic. This is bound to happen since residue will build up and act like a glue that keeps it in place. Just heat it up like you’re about to use it. That should loosen the residue. Turn it upside down and tap the stone out onto something non-flammable and you’re good to go. It doesn’t get much easier than that.

source https://www.thickassglass.com/blogs/enlightenment/healthstones

Drop Downs

Who doesn’t like accessories? How about accessories that help prolong the life of your gear? Now we’re talking!

Whether your taste is for legal herbs or concentrates, you’re going to be using gear and pipes that are continually subjected to some pretty high temperatures. You might also have noticed after consistent use that there is some reclaim stuck in your pipe that does not look like fun to get at.

When it comes to pipes and dab rigs there are multiple accessories that can be added, but some things require joints or connections that aren’t already native to your piece. Sounds like a mess, doesn’t it? Not worry! There is a piece out there designed to make your hobby a lot more enjoyable without any added stress. More commonly used with dab rigs, this piece works for both.

Enter the Drop-Down! Let’s lay out why you seriously want to keep this accessory with your gear.

Multi-Function

When we say that this piece can do it all, we’re not lying. The drop down is the must-have accessory for serious enjoyers of legal herb and concentrate. This adapter can be attached to a water pipe or a dab rig. That already makes it awesome for those who use both. Maybe you’re browsing for new accessories and can’t remember if you need male or female joints. A drop-down often has connections for both, which makes it a no-brainer.

Live Long and Prosper

Pipes and dab rigs are typically made of one safe, amazing material: glass. While you can get accessories and other parts in varied materials, the core of your equipment is going to be made from glass. Glass can be fragile, especially when you use it on a regular basis at the temperatures you need to get a good inhale going.

This is where the drop-down shines. It serves as a buffer between the joint and nail, keeping excessive heat away from this delicate area. Heat stress is caused from overuse and can be accelerated when a wayward torch isn’t as focused on the nail as it should be. In the long run the drop-down will also save you some money by preventing you from having to replace your pieces on a regular basis. If you’re a daily dabber or smoker, it’s a good investment.

Reclaim

Not only does catching reclaim keep your rig clean and operational, it allows you to easily harvest this useful by-product for other uses like baking. You can even use the reclaim to dab again. When you apply a drop-down to your rig you can attach a reclaim bucket to obtain the reclaim (or just buy our drop-down/reclaim combo piece). With a place to go, the oil won’t hang around inside your rig or pipe causing build-up that is a pain to clean off. Instead of washing the reclaim down the sink because you don’t know how, or can’t be bothered, to get it out let the drop-down do the dirty work for you.

Look Me in the Eye

Another really sweet reason to get your hands on a drop-down is that they make your nails easier to see. This might not sound like a big deal, but if you’re new to the scene or find yourself getting lost in the rhythm from frequent use, the nail can wander from your line of sight. By not keeping an eye on your nail you might be pointing your torch at the wrong thing which leads to the heat stress mentioned above. If you can see what you’re doing, you’re more likely to do it right.

Many nails rely on their users to notice color changes in order to determine what the temperature is. Use a nail that’s too cold and you wind up with some pudding-like concentrate. Too hot and your concentrate will become vapor and drift away before you have a chance to inhale. By being where you can see it, you’ll save yourself from a few headaches.

Saving Money, One inhale at a Time

You might think that you can enjoy your hobby without a drop-down. You’d be right, of course, but you might find your wallet getting thinner as time goes back.

We’ve told you that the drop-down and protect your rig from heat stress. Never underestimate how costly it can be when critical parts of your pipe or dab rig shatter from being too hot. Heat stress isn’t something you’re going to notice right away. It builds up over time and often catches users unaware. There’s nothing more disappointing than trying to light up to de-stress only to find out your joints are cracked, and you don’t have a back up piece. Or maybe you’ve got a craving for some special brownies but it’s going to take you more than a day to get at your reclaim in order to use it in your baking. That really takes the fun out of the whole thing.

A drop-down is an optional accessory that you don’t have to have in order to enjoy the hobby. It will, however, make your enjoyment easier and more productive. You really can’t go wrong.

source https://www.thickassglass.com/blogs/enlightenment/drop-downs

Dab Essentials: What Dab Tools Do You Need?

You might be an experienced smoker looking for something new to try. Maybe you’ve always been into concentrates but haven’t been confident in what pieces you need to have to have a solid start.

When it comes to dabbing there are essentials to any kit. These pieces are going to make your dabbing experience more productive and will be easier on you in the long run. You don’t want to be substituting proper pieces for makeshift ones, so it’s important to know exactly what is required with dabbing and make sure you have it all on hand when you get started. We’ve got a nice list for you here, so take a look and tick it off as you go along collecting your stuff.

Dab Rig

First things first, you can’t get very far without this essential piece.  You might know this by the terminology "oil rig" instead of "dab rig". Both terms refer to a water pipe that is the foundation of enjoying concentrates.

Dab rigs come in all shapes and sizes: just like any other water pipe. In order to find one you like, you have to think of who you are as a person enjoying concentrates. There will be a piece out there that speaks to you.

Whether it’s a huge and intricate piece looking to start conversations or small and basic enough to get the job done, you can find it at TAG. Of course, the size and where it’s made is going to influence the cost of your new toy. One of the things you can be assured of with Thick Ass Glass is that it won't be easy to break your new rig. This glass is THICK!

Since the dab rig forms the base of your hobby when it comes to legal concentrates, you should look at investing more than $50 into it. Remember: this is going to be with you for a long time. Unless you expect dabbing to be a fleeting hobby, don’t be afraid to put some money where your mouth is.

Nails

We’re not talking about the things that grow out of your fingers or what you use to keep two pieces of wood together. No, nails in this sense refer to the thing that you will apply your concentrate to and then heat the hell out of to get the vapor.

Nails come in various materials like quartz, ceramic, glass and titanium. The material your nail is made out might influence the taste of your concentrate, so be careful when you’re deciding what to use.

If you plan to be, or already are, a serious dabber it’s probably a good idea to stay away from glass nails. While they are beautiful, they can’t take being heated to the high degree you need for concentrates on a regular basis. This means they’re prone to breaking and that’s just a whole mess itself. Ceramic is more durable, but still fragile.

If you’re a casual dabber, you might want to go with glass. If you’re making this a more serious commitment, then we suggest quartz or titanium.

Another alternative to all of this is the e-nail. This is recommended for people who know what they’re doing. The e-nail plugs into a socket and heats up directly: you won’t have to use a torch at all. (We’ll get into torches and why you need them next.)

When it comes to e-nails there is a serious and potentially dangerous side to pay attention to. E-nails start heating up as soon as you plug them in. That means these little puppies are hot all the time. This can lead to burnt fingers or singed furniture so handle with care. Some of them do have a safety feature where they’ll turn off if on for too long or the temperature is too high. So be careful!

Torches

Now that we’re done scolding you like a bad teacher, let’s talk about torches. This is exactly what is sounds like: a torch fueled with butane that will heat up your nail and transform your concentrate into sweet sweet vapor. You point the flame of this sucker right on the nail to heat it up and suck back that vapor. Be careful not to inhale the fumes of the butane and try not to heat up your nail in the same spot every time. This can degrade the nail and cause it to work improperly. Also, it’ll make your concentrate taste like garbage if you don’t use it properly.

Dab Rag/Mat and Silicone Jar

Okay, these are on the list just to keep your house from becoming a sticky mess. The mat will protect whatever furniture you set your dab rig on when you’re enjoying a session. When we say sticky, we’re not talking something simple like bubble gum. Think something sticky and oily that will ruin whatever it touches right from the get-go. So while it's not  absolutely necessary to have a mat, it’ll just keep your life from being a cleaning nightmare.

Same with a silicone jar. Dabs are sticky so you want something that will allow you to easily remove it to apply it to the nail. You can use a glass jar for this if you really want to, but you might miss out on some bits because glass is a lot harder to scrape off of.

Dabber

Now for the last, yet obvious, piece that you’ll need. This isn’t really optional, as you are going to need something to pick up the concentrate and add it to the nail. This dabber by TAG offers not only titanium construction, but also a big carb cap. We really don’t recommend using fingers or anything else that is liable to burn and hurt. The dabber is also referred to as a wand and comes in materials like quartz, titanium, ceramic and glass. It’s up to you what you want to use but titanium is going to be the most reliable.

The Power is in Your Hands

Literally. It’s up to you what pieces you get to add to your dabbing arsenal. Pick what you think will be the most functional and consider how much dabbing you think you’ll actually do. Have fun with it! This is an expression of your personality. Run with it.

source https://www.thickassglass.com/blogs/enlightenment/dab-tools

Nectar Collectors: Portable Rigs For On The Go!

Technology is advancing at a frenetic pace. We can carry computers in our pockets; on our wrists and in our bags. Of course, these advances aren’t limited to the tools we use to work. It also applies to the tools we use to play.

Changing up the dabbing game are nectar collectors: tubes of glass (or as is the TAG model, a titanium nail with the collector built in) with all the necessary parts for you to enjoy your legal concentrates. We’re not saying you can’t ever dab the way you used to again. Nectar collectors are just a cool new way to enjoy dabbing with a piece that’s a bit more sleek and portable. If you’re interested in getting in on this trend and expanding your kit, then read on.

Take the Show On the Road

Being portable is a key factor with nectar collectors, as opposed to a full dab rig with a titanum nail, as an example. They’re sleek and slim and can fit in your pocket. Being able to slip your collector into your pocket as you head out the door to enjoy some downtime with your friends is worth a lot. Collectors are nice to look at and super functional. They can help you get a smooth hit off your concentrates and help keep the mess down. Not only are they portable, but they help you spread the love of legal concentrates with your friends.

It’s as simple as passing it around, like you would with a pipe. There are accessories you can buy for your nectar collector like nectar collector stands and dishes to keep things tidy and organized. You’ll want to minimize damage to your collector and the surface you inhale your concentrates off of.

The tips of collectors get super-hot, so you’ll want to be careful when you’re putting it down anywhere. Last thing you need is for your hobby to cause your belongings to go up in smoke. Not the fun kind, either.

Bits and Pieces

There are a few key pieces of the nectar collector you should pay attention to. They’re similar to water pipes in that they have a neck, body and tip. Since the tip has to function like a nail it needs to be made out of something that can tolerate that level of heat. You’re more likely to get a tip made of titanium and really, why go for something less? You want your piece to last you a long time, so it’s better to spend more in the beginning.

Some extra parts a collector has that pipes don’t are glass whips, keck clips and some of them have chambers for water as well. The ones without water chambers are sometimes called wands, so make sure you know the difference!

Because the collector can come apart so easily it makes it easier to clean. There are several materials that your collector could be made out of: glass, ceramic, titanium and quartz. This means you have to be a little careful when you’re cleaning up.

Another advantage of the nectar collectors coming in several pieces is that you can mix and match if you want. Some collectors are designed to be used with dry herbs only and some are concentrates only. If you’ve got one and want to use the other, simple conversion kits allow you to experience the joy of both versions without much hassle.

A word of caution if you’re using one with a water chamber: you need to make sure that puppy is just less than half-filled in order to function properly.

Fun and Fancy Free

If we haven’t rammed into your skull how awesome nectar collectors are yet, keep reading. Not only are they sleek, easy to manage and fun to use, they come in miniature sizes as well. That ups the portability for this piece and can also help you pace yourself. With collectors the harder you inhale the larger your hit is going to be. The smaller size could either help you increase the force you inhale with or allow you to slow it down with its simple design.

All you need to do is heat the tip of your collector and either dip it or drag it over your concentrates and inhale. It’s that easy!

We’ve covered how the portability of the nectar collector allows you to share the love with your friends, but it’s also spiking a wave in the medical community.

If you partake of legal herbs and concentrates to help manage your pain, the ease of the collector just made getting your relief a whole lot easier. Outside working in the garden when the pain hits? No problem. Relaxing in your room and when the urge hits? No worries. No longer will you have to make a mad dash to your supplies and wait to assemble your gear to give you that sweet release you’ve needed.

You don’t even need to carry around a dish to use your concentrates in if you don’t want to. Any heat resistant surface will do in a pinch. Just make sure it’s actually heat resistant and that you clean up when you’re done. Don’t go setting your coffee table on fire if you don’t have to.

Appreciate the Little Things

Whether you go for a full sized nectar collector or a miniature one, you’re sure to enjoy this new addition to the dabbing game. Easy, fun to use and even more fun to share, nectar collectors are taking the concentrate game by storm. The joy of dabbing, whether it’s for pain relief or recreation, just got easier. This doesn’t mean your dab rigs should go up for sale. Think of collectors as a compliment to your supply.

source https://www.thickassglass.com/blogs/enlightenment/nectar-collectors

Glass Reclaim Catchers: A Must For Dedicated Dabbers

Ever wonder what to do about that gunk that gets stuck in your dab rig after a while? You can try to keep up with the cleaning as much as is humanly possible, but you’ll often find bits of dark matter left behind. What is it? What do you do with it? These are questions lots of people new to the game might ask and we’re here to provide that answer.

There’s a pretty easy explanation and an even better option on what to do with it. Whether legal herbs or concentrates are your pleasure, there’s a lot you can get out of the stuff left behind. Most commonly referred to as ‘reclaim’, this resin is useful in more than one way.

High and Dry

If you partake mostly of the dry variety of smoking, as opposed to with water pipes, you might wish that brown resin that gets left behind would just disappear. Depending on what you want to use it for, the reclaim left in your pipe is actually something you might be looking forward to. There are several ways to get it out from your gear but the easiest is to invest in a glass reclaimer like these. This lovely attachment to your rig does the job of catching the reclaim for you in a nice little jar. Once it’s full, you can detach it and harvest the spoils.

If you’re crazy new to this whole deal you might be scratching your head and wondering what the heck reclaim even is. Don’t worry. We’ve got your back.

Reclaim is the vapor that condenses back into a solid that gets stuck in your pipe after several hits. You know, that brown sticky stuff that’s been staring at you for a while that you’ve been wondering what to do with. Now that you know what it is, do you know what to do with it?

Options, Baby

Opportunities for reclaim are pretty vast. It’s another form of concentrate and depending on its intended use it can be pretty effective. One common use for it is in baking. Gotta make those brownies hit the spot somehow, right? You can also add it to your spreads like peanut butter too, to give your toast or sandwich a bit of a kick. Reclaim is perfectly safe to ingest so you don’t need to worry that you’re putting something terrible in your body. People have been using it for these methods for ages.

Another common use for reclaim is to apply it topically to your body in combination with stuff like coconut oil or other topical applications. Because it’s so concentrated it works as a fast acting pain reliever as well.

It’s up to you what you use it for. It’s pretty easy to collect and it’s even easier to use. It kills two birds with one stone: removing the reclaim helps keep your pipe looking shiny and new while also giving you a concentrate that you can use in another fashion. Recycle, baby.

Are Reclaimers Worth It?

A huge question that people ask is if the reclaimers that are designed to attach to your rig are even worth buying in the first place. We can’t tell you yes or no because it depends on how much you consume and how often. Personal preference plays a big role here, so this is something you have to decide for yourself.

If you consume a lot, you’ll see a lot of reclaim building up in your water pipe. This is a good indication that you should probably invest in a reclaimer. The more you use, the more you’ll create and the more you’ll collect. The reclaimer basically pays for itself in the first few weeks and you’ve got yourself some sweet supply for those snacks you’ve been wanting to try.

If you don’t consume a lot, however, buying the actual reclaimer might not be worth it for you. That doesn’t mean you can’t harvest the good stuff if you don’t have one. It just requires a bit more elbow grease to get at it. When it comes to the drop down, you can simply heat the glass and drip the oil onto some parchment or cooking paper to collect it.

But if it’s inside the rig itself, it requires a bit more effort. You can clean it out using alcohol and the method is pretty safe to boot. Just plug your mouthpiece and glass joint with paper towel and fill your rig, slowly, with high proof alcohol until it covers the bits of reclaim. Don’t go too fast or dump it out or you’ll lose what you’re trying to harvest.

Now comes the fun part: shake it up! But not like crazy or you’ll have a big mess on your hands. If the reclaim is being stubborn, run some hot water over the outside of the rig to help loosen it up. Pour your concoction into a dish over a hot plate and slowly evaporate the liquid. After letting it air dry for a day or so use something frozen on the back of the dish to help your reclaim stabilize and – ta-da! Now you can gather it up with a razor blade and enjoy the awesomeness of the harvest.

Save the Planet

Recycling goes a long way, and not just with one of these beautiful Ball Klein Recyclers from TAG. This applies to your reclaim and the way you get at it. We’ve all been taught that we can save the planet if we reduce, reuse and recycle, right? So here’s your contribution towards planetary health in a beneficial way. Now that you’re informed, you’ll never look at that brown gunk in your pipe the same way ever again.

You’re welcome.

 

source https://www.thickassglass.com/blogs/enlightenment/glass-reclaim-catchers-a-must-for-dedicated-dabbers

To Dab Or Smoke: The Multi-Functionality Of Water Pipes

Most hobbies require supplies to ensure they can be fully enjoyed. Like, you can’t rock out without a guitar, unless you’re air-guitaring. The same thing applies when you’re looking to get your smoke on. Sure, you’ve got your basic glass pipes and bongs, but there are other supplies you’ll need if you want to enjoy legal herbs in both the solid and vapor form.

Or do you? It’s possible to double-tap your water pipe for both herbs and concentrates. You don’t necessarily need a dab rig like these, but it’s a decent idea to have one for each. So how does this work? Let’s get to it.

What’s Your Pleasure?

You might be new to the smoking game. It's OK, there are important things to learn, but fortunately you're at the right site. Trying to figure out which water pipe to get can be overwhelming when you aren’t even sure what they all do. This piece, with a Super Slit Showerhead Frother looks pretty cool, right? But what about this gorgeous 10" Klein Incycler? A truly beautiful glass pipe, for sure.

The important thing to think about is what you want to get out of your, uh, let's call it: relaxing time. If you enjoy smoking legal herbs more than you enjoy concentrates, you’re more likely to line your walls with pieces like this 14" beaker style water pipe.

This doesn’t mean you are completely cut out of enjoying the concentrates game though. The same thing could be said if you dab. You don’t have to have one of each, but it’s better for convenience if you do. Feel like cleaning your pipe every time you smoke? You may have to if you "go double" with your pipe.

Two Pipes, Two Kinds Of Smoking Accessories

Have you noticed in your search that there are both male and female parts to the gear out there? This is because many pieces are designed to work together. You’re not the only one who wants the convenience of being able to enjoy both herbs and concentrates with one piece of gear. Lots of users prefer this for the sake of convenience and some like it to save a couple dollars.

When you’re new to the smoking game you may not be sure where to spend your hard earned cash (although the fact you visited this online headshop certainly means you're ahead of most of your friends). No problem. It's pretty basic. Male water pipes take female slides and nails and vice versa. Watch your measurements as well, as 14 and 18mm joint size is key to keeping your purchase optimized.

If you’re leaning towards herbs but want to try concentrates at some point, you should start off with a female slide and male jointed water pipe. This is going to ensure you’ve got the space to connect a female acccessory like a titanium nail or banger so that you can try out the other options.

If you’re the other way around, start off with your male jointed nail and look for a nice female joint to help you along the way. See how easy that was? You can complete both options of your inhaling preference with two simple pieces of gear.

Nails for Days

Nails are common for dabbing. They come in several sizes and materials which also means they come at several different price points. If you need cheaper because you’re starting out and don’t want to commit, then you might want to look at ceramic or quartz nails.

Titanium nails are going be more expensive than quartz, but they’re a great investment. If you have the confidence that concentrates and dabbing are where your heart is at, then you could even spend the big bucks by splurging on an electric nail, or as it's mainly known, an e-nail. This puppy is going to set you back some, but it’s going to be well worth it. The only downside is that you’re going to need to be near an electric outlet in order to use it.

The type of nail is also going to impact the type of hit you get. Some nails burn hotter than others, and this is going to determine whether or not your concentrates burn or not. Ideally you want to get your oils and waxes heated up between 400°F-800°F. The hotter they are, the smoother your hit will be since you aren’t burning things all over the place. (It's an art, is dabbing. See this article on dab rigs for more details. You’ve gotta do what works best for you, though, so make sure you try out your options and find your sweet spot. The enail is not only going to help conserve your concentrates, it will also provide very precise temperatures so you aren’t burning through them as fast.

Light it Up

You should already be feeling pretty confident about your ability by now. We’ve laid it out for you here that you can do both herbs and concentrates with minimal gear until you get settled into what you truly want to do.

While there might be a lot to remember such as size, joint type, material etc. this isn’t rocket science. Smoking is supposed to be chill and enjoyable. While you may want to keep separate pieces for herbs and waxes just to keep things cleaner and easier to manage, you don’t have to. No one is going to twist your arm into getting both and if you’re trying out different ways to find a higher state, then there’s nothing wrong with making your dab rig or bong do double-duty until you’re satisfied.

You may never have two separate rigs and that’s okay. Remember, this is your time to chill. No one can decide for you which option is best. Being able to customize how you enjoy yourself is one of the best things you could ask for with any recreational activity! It's what makes smoking extra fun.

 

 

source https://www.thickassglass.com/blogs/enlightenment/the-multi-functionality-of-water-pipes