Lovat

Lovat is a classic pipe shape formed by the union of a long, round-shanked neck with a short saddle stem. It belongs to the four-member group known as the Canadian family, and within that group it is considered the member whose silhouette sits furthest from the Canadian itself. Like the whole family, the bowl keeps Billiard proportions; what actually defines the shape is not the bowl but the ratio between the shank and the mouthpiece.

Distinguishing Lines

The four members of the Canadian family are distinguished by two criteria: the shank's cross-section and the type of mouthpiece. The Lovat is the member that pairs a round shank with a saddle stem. The Canadian, with its oval shank and tapered stem, and the Liverpool, with its round shank but tapered stem, both differ from the Lovat on this point; the Lumberman shares the saddle stem but has an oval shank. A saddle stem is one that forms a thick shoulder where it meets the shank and then tapers into a flat, straight tongue; kept short, it gives the pipe a compact, almost clipped look. For the naming of these parts, see the entry on pipe anatomy.

Compared with the rest of the family, the Lovat's shank is generally more restrained. Some classification attempts give a guideline that the shank length shouldn't exceed twice the bowl's height; this isn't a standard everyone follows, just an approximation used to describe the shape. That's why, even though the Lovat is grouped under long-shanked pipes, it's regarded as the most compact-silhouetted member of the group. As the shank lengthens, the smoke touches more briar surface before it reaches the mouth; the shape's reputation among enthusiasts for a cool, dry smoke rests on this observation.