Oh well – who hasn't been there? You just thumped your Bong comfortably against the edge of the sink, and standing at the window, gravity draws your attention to it, and a furry face the size of a small car runs over the good piece... and there you go, broken glass. Why is that? Some claim that Satan has a hand in it, others speak of a conspiracy on the part of the Manufacturers, who, after all, have no interest in bongs lasting forever. Killjoys, on the other hand, claim that glass just breaks easily... Messy!!! But as is often the case with strange theories, they surprisingly often correspond to reality: secret services spy and glass breaks! The only things that help against this are care, respect for the device and the highest possible glass thickness, which can sometimes withstand a blow or two. So Lemmy from Motörhead (or whoever else created this universe) decreed that the following standard thicknesses should be indelible benchmarks in the subculture of bong smoking from now on:
- 3mm
- 5mm
- 7mm
- 9mm
But what now looks like a great, eternally valid rule can unfortunately easily disappoint. Unfortunately, these specifications are often only rough guidelines and should not be understood as exact. This starts with the fact that the specification ‘3mm wall thickness’ can actually mean 2.8mm or even 3.2mm. Unfortunately, it is not possible to determine this exactly in the manufacturing process. It is also important to consider that the specified thickness only applies to the straight parts such as the neck, cylinder and, if applicable, the foot. Anything with curves (e.g. ice compartments) is sometimes significantly thinner and therefore more prone to breakage. But even if you reach for a 9mm compact bong: caution and respectful handling remain the top priority of bong sports. Why? Because glass breaks...
The glass thickness is an important feature when choosing a bong, as it influences longevity, stability and smoking pleasure. Here is an overview of the common glass thicknesses and their properties:
1. Thin glass (2-3 mm)
- Advantages:
- Lighter and often cheaper.
- Ideal for occasional users or on the go.
- Disadvantages:
- Less stable, prone to breakage.
- Can be easily damaged by stronger impacts or sudden temperature changes.
2. Medium glass thickness (4-5 mm)
- Advantages:
- Good balance between stability and handling.
- Relatively robust for everyday use.
- Still light enough to be manageable.
- Disadvantages:
- Slightly heavier than thinner varieties.
- Higher cost compared to thin glass.
3. Thick Glass (6-9mm)
- Pros:
- Extremely sturdy and durable.
- Particularly resistant to breakage and impact.
- Optimal for frequent users or for use in groups.
- Cons:
- Higher weight, making the bong harder to transport.
- More expensive to buy.
Conclusion
The choice of glass thickness depends on individual needs. Those looking for a light, portable bong will be satisfied with thinner glass. However, for frequent use or use in company, a more stable variant with thicker glass is recommended. Ultimately, one should also consider one's own handling of the bong and one's willingness to spend more money on durability.