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