A unique innovation that harnesses nature’s own laws to bring you pure trouble-free smoking pleasure no other pipe can offer. Simple, unique, revolutionary.
A Carey pipe looks better and feels better than any ordinary pipe. It also smokes like no other pipe you’ve ever known, and that’s mostly thanks to the patented ‘Magic Inch’, an invention that revolutionised pipe smoking. Designed and patented by EA Carey in 1948 it was the result of a dedicated pipe smoker seeking a cooler, drier smoke whilst not detracting from the fulsome flavour of choice tobaccos. After years of research and the discarding of many ‘good ideas’ Carey settled on the basic design of the system and set about refining that design into the simple but highly effective device that is the basis of Carey Magic Inch pipes over 60 years later. Even today, more than 30 years after it was first introduced into Europe and particularly the UK, we have many saesoned pipesmokers who are still discovering the amazing difference and improvement in smoking pleasure they obtain from the Magic Inch system. It is not a trap or filter or other such sludge forming gadget. In fact, like all great discoveries and inventions, the secret is simple. By cooling, condensing and evaporating moisture with every puff, it prevents the tar, sludge, bite and bitterness that you may find in other pipes, ever reaching your mouth.
Here is a selection of comments from satisfied customers
“Just to say the pipe you sent is everything you claim, and the filter system works perfectly. I think all your pipes are made to an exacting specification because I was able to smoke the pipe to the end (without bite) right from the start.” – Mr RP from London
“I am writing to express my approval of the Carey pipes. It is without doubt the only pipe I have ever tried which does not clog or wet. In all, it gives the most satisfying smoke.” – Mr CDH from Oxford
“Your Carey pipe is a real joy. No nasty taste dribbling back at anytime. The ‘Magic Inch’ gives a nice cool smoke.” – Mr DC from Portsmouth
How the Carey ‘Magic Inch’ system works
The system has been designed to allow a precise amount of outside air into each puff of smoke. Unique moisture ports then dissipate wetness, tar and nicotine into the 2 ply Papyrate sleeve, protecting the smoker from unwanted materials. The Papyrate itself provides excellent absorbency for dryer smoking and increased durability. Subsequently the Magic Inch chamber releases moisture through evaporation during resting periods between smokes. Neither a filter nor a standard ‘push bit’, a true innovation.
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Cooling Fresh air enters through the vents and mixes with smoke from the bowl…. cooling and condensing it |
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Condensing Excess moisture is squeezed from the smoke and absorbed by the ‘papyrate’ sleeve |
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Evaporating Moisture evaporates into outside air….You get a cool, fresh, dry smoke |
All Carey Magic Inch pipes are made from top quality Mediterranean briar designed, crafted and inspected by experts who take pride in their craft, and are supplied with a box of papyrate sleeves. Additional boxes of sleeves can be purchased seperately.
Tips and Hints
It is very important to ensure that when packing a Carey Magic Inch pipe the tobacco is not compressed too firmly. Although this is the case to a certain extent with most systems, if a Magic Inch pipe is too firmly packed the majority of the air will be drawn through the stem vents rather than through the tobacco in the bowl. This in turn will mean that the tobacco will not stay lit and the smoke will consist of mostly fresh air – a slightly pointless exercise! So as with all things ‘pipe and tobacco’ hone your technique with good old trial and error, happy in the knowledge that once you get it right you’ll agree with all our other Magic Inch converts that there is no smoke available that is as cool and tasty…
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Hi ! I am a novice pipe smoker having recently started on a 9mm filter pipe and enjoying finding my favourite blends ! I just wanted to “pipe” up (sorry couldn’t resist) and comment on the magic inch pipes. My mother in law today gave me one of her late husbands’ pipes which is a magic inch straight pipe very like the top pipe in the article above. It has made in London, England written on it and I believe he had it for at least maybe 30 years and is still in top shape. The lacquer had all but worn away in places, so i gently removed the rest with acetate to reveal a wonderful grain which i have now treated to several light coats of boiled linseed oil which has given it a new lease of life, simply wonderful ! I have cleaned it out and ordered 2 boxes of papyrate filters from you today , cannot wait to burn it back in and enjoy it !
That’s great to hear Steve – thanks for letting us know. Please be sure to also let us know how you get on with it over the coming months… Enjoy!
Just been browsing your web site for tobacco plus pipes to order at a later date. I have your catalogue & have been a customer for many years. Best Regards, Harry Mounfield.
Thanks for getting in touch Harry!
99year old requires new straight stem pipe what would u recomend 4 him please
I expect a smaller, lighter pipe would be best so depending upon his choice of filtration I would suggest either a Carey Magic Inch 10-Minute pipe or a 9mm Little Gem
Hi buddy I’ve just ordered one of the Magic Inch starter pipe sets along with one of the aromatic sample tobacco bundles. I mainly smoke cigarettes along with the occasional cigar whilst relaxing fishing by a lake and like the idea of smoking a pipe to help in the relaxing. Sounds strange for a 27 yr old to say that no?
Anyway I was just wondering with the papyrate filter how often do they need changing will it become obvious when it does?
Cheers Kevin
Hi Kevin – thanks for getting in touch. I hope the starter kit and sampler packs live up to expectations. Pipe smoking and fishing are pretty much a match made in heaven regardless of your age! To answer your question… a lot depends on how much actual puffing you do once the pipe is lit (i.e. if it is standing idle during a smoke the papyrate will in effect be unused), but really they are designed to be changed after each active smoke. Best thing is to check the papyrate each time the pipe has rested post smoke and if it is wet and very dark change it over. Hope that helps, and let us know if there is any other advice you require. All the best…
Please send me your cataloge and prices on Carey Magic inch Pipes.
Hi Frank, I have just uploaded the latest catalogue in the Salon, it can be viewed on this website and printed out. If you would like us to post one out to you by mail then please use our Catalogue Request form under the About Us section on the Home page. Thanks and all the best.
I bought a “magic inch” pipe many years ago and it is still going – however I had not found any other pipe to match the one I have. My question is – If I bought a new one what tobacco would you recommend to “burn it in”- I use 3 nuns (with lemon and orange zest in the pouch – as this keeps it to the moisture level I want and flavours the tobacco just right). However I did use an american blend to burn it in and that is no longer available – any ideas?!
Hi Peter. Firstly, if you let me know what pipe you have I will see whether there is a match in our current range… As for tobacco, I would recommend 2024 – Ready Rubbed No7 – as the best equivalent for 3 Nuns. Let us know how you get on…
What would you suggest using to clean and polish the outer surface of the stem on a “Magic Inch” pipe?
Hi Mark. We have a couple of cleaning products that are not specifically for the stem but for the entire pipe, such as Savinelli Pipe Polish (1112) or Clean & Cure Pipe Cleaner (1142). They will certainly rid the stem of any dirt and should polish it up quite well. If you don’t want the expense, something gentle like washing up liquid would also clean all but the worst of the dirt away. Hope that helps…
I have a selection of broken pipes, Carey’s and others. I phoned customer services and they suggested sending them in and they will see if they can be fixed.
It is usually the mouthpieces that go on my pipes, I guess I bite too hard.
Hopefully we can be of service – it is often possible to repair or replace mouthpieces so always worth a try!
I’ve been using EA Carey pipes since 1971. I still have my original pipe.
I now own about 15 pipes.
I prolong my pipe mouthpiece after squeezing the end shut by cutting and ‘V’ in the clogged end with my Dremel drill. It works fine for me.
Clean and sweeten with brandy.
Greeting from Sacramento, CA
Hi Mr Hume. Probably the best bet would be to contact the team on 01481 811740 and describe what exactly has broken – most things can be replaced or fixed.
Can I order the magic inch for pipes that have a broken magic inch?