Slides are functional, but they can also turn any bong or waterpipe into a statement piece. Bern Gallery carries slides from a wide variety of companies in artists in every price range.
How Slides Work
A removable slide holds your herb in place as you light and inhale; simply pull the slide out to carburate, or bring air into, the smoke still left in the bong’s tube. Pull the slide completely out to empty the bowl, and lightly tap it against an ashtray to dump the ashes. Be careful, though, as high-quality slides are typically made from glass – fortunately, you can purchase replacement slides if you should happen to break one.
What is the Slide Width?
The width of the bowls typically measures 14 or 18 millimeters (mm) at the joint, which is the opening that cradles the bowl piece. A 14mm bowl is about as big around as your pinky finger and is the typical size for a standard water pipe. The larger 18mm works well with oversize bone pieces for multiple smokers. Bowls as small as 10mm are available, but are generally too constricted to efficiently burn herbs and are typically reserved for oil or dabs.
Male or Female Slide?
Manufacturers typically refer to the joints of bowls in terms of gender. A male piece essentially fits into something, whereas the female piece typically has something fit into it. Most slides will be male joint intended to fit into the female downstems/joints of bongs. You can still find female slides intended to convert oldschool oil pieces into flower tubes, though these are becoming less common as male jointed rigs fall out of favor. These days most water pieces have female joints on them, and take male slides.
Where to Buy Slides?
Many retailers now offer slides of varying quality, from cheap slides made of simple clear glass to exquisitely crafted hand-blown glass art pieces. Our slides come in vibrant colors and whimsical shapes, such as leopard prints, wigwags and donuts.
