In an industry often overshadowed by flashy marketing and inflated prices, Thick Ass Glass (TAG) has built a reputation for something refreshingly different: quality that actually delivers. Founded on the simple premise that glass smoking pieces should be durable, functional, and fairly priced, TAG has become a go-to brand for smokers who value engineering over hype. I sat down with Brian Handschuh, the mind behind Thick Ass Glass, to talk about what sets his products apart, why thickness matters, and how precision engineering creates a superior smoking experience.
Candyce: Brian, thanks for taking the time to chat with me today. Let's start with the obvious – the name “Thick Ass Glass” is pretty direct. Was that intentional branding from the beginning?
Brian: Absolutely. I've always been particular about the things I buy. Maybe it's the German in me, but I can't stand poorly designed products, misleading marketing, or anything that falls short of what it should be. The name Thick Ass Glass is exactly what we deliver – glass that's genuinely thicker, stronger, and more durable than what you'll find elsewhere. No gimmicks, just quality you can feel when you pick it up. Our beakers have bases up to 16mm thick, while most competitors use thin 3-6mm bases that break at the first bump.
Candyce: I've noticed a lot of your online content focuses on the engineering aspects of your products. Is that technical focus something that was missing in the industry?
Brian: Completely missing. This industry is full of people selling pretty glass that doesn't actually function well. When we started in 2013, most brands were pushing either ultra-cheap, thin glass or super expensive “heady” pieces that looked good but didn't necessarily perform better. We took a different approach by actually focusing on airflow, percolation efficiency, and structural integrity.
A good example is our percolators. Many brands just throw in percs because they look cool, but they don't engineer them properly. Our percs are designed with specific slit counts and precise hole placements to create the ideal bubble size for maximum diffusion without unnecessary drag. It's that attention to detail that makes a TAG piece hit differently.
Candyce: For those who might be new to all this, could you explain why glass thickness matters so much?
Brian: Glass thickness isn't just about avoiding breaks—it changes how the bong functions. More weight means better stability. A 16mm beaker base won't tip over easily, unlike a thin-walled bong. Stronger joints mean less chance of cracks. Cheap imports have weak welds, which is why our joints are reinforced. They last longer.
Think about it this way: if you're investing $100+ in a piece, wouldn't you want it to last years instead of months? The difference between a 3mm base and our 12-16mm bases is night and day when it comes to durability. I've heard from customers whose TAG pieces have survived drops that would have shattered other glass. That's what we're about.
Candyce: There's an overwhelming number of options when it comes to bongs – beakers, straight tubes, recyclers, and so on. What advice do you give to someone trying to figure out what's right for them?
Brian: It really comes down to your lifestyle and how you smoke. If you're a daily smoker looking for the most versatile piece, a medium-sized beaker bong (10-16 inches) with a 14mm joint hits the sweet spot – stable enough to not tip over, enough water volume for good filtration, but not so big that it's a hassle to clean.
For people who want maximum smoothness and don't mind some extra maintenance, a multi-chamber or percolator bong will give you ultra-filtered hits. If you're traveling often or have limited space, a mini bong (under 10 inches) or even a quality glass pipe gives you portability without sacrificing too much function.
The most important thing is understanding the trade-offs. Bigger bongs generally mean smoother hits but more cleaning. Smaller pieces are more portable but might not filter as well. Percolators add diffusion but can create drag if not designed properly. Once you know what matters most to you—filtration, portability, durability, or pure aesthetics—choosing becomes much easier.
Candyce: Let's talk price points. Bongs can range anywhere from $20 to well over $1,000. What's the sweet spot for quality without overpaying?
Brian: Great question. The way I see it, there are three main price tiers:
$20-$50: This is the budget range. You're generally looking at acrylic, silicone, or very thin glass. These pieces will work, but don't expect durability or optimal performance.
$50-$150: This is the entry-level glass range. You'll find decent quality, standard percs, but still lacking heavy-duty durability.
$150-$300: This is where you get into true high-end borosilicate built to outlast cheap imports. You're paying for more slits, better diffusion, smoother, cooler hits with less drag, and precision-engineered airflow.
Beyond $300, you're mostly paying for brand names or artistic elements rather than functional improvements. That's fine if you're collecting art pieces, but if you want the best performance-to-price ratio, that $150-$300 range is where I'd focus.
At TAG, we've worked hard to keep most of our products in that sweet spot. You can get a professional-grade beaker with 9mm walls and a 16mm base for around $150-200, which is honestly a steal compared to what some brands charge for thinner glass.
Candyce: I've noticed a lot of terminology that might confuse newcomers – joint sizes, percolators, diffusers. What are the basics people need to understand?
Brian: The most important thing to understand is probably joint sizes. The joint is where your bowl connects to the bong, and they come in three standard sizes: 10mm (small), 14mm (medium), and 18mm (large). Most bongs use 14mm, which offers the best balance of airflow and resistance.
Then there's male versus female joints. Male joints insert into female joints, while female joints slide over a male joint. Most traditional bongs have female joints, designed to receive a male bowl or downstem.
As for percolators, they're basically diffusion devices that break smoke into smaller bubbles, increasing contact between smoke and water for better cooling. Common types include honeycomb, tree, and matrix percs, each with different filtration properties.
A diffuser is just a downstem with slits or holes at the bottom that breaks up the smoke before it hits the water. A good diffuser can dramatically improve the smoothness of even a basic beaker bong.
Getting these basics right makes a huge difference. Buying a bowl that doesn't fit your joint or a percolator that creates too much drag can ruin your experience.
Candyce: There's a running debate between glass, silicone, and acrylic bongs. You're obviously team glass, but are there situations where you'd recommend the alternatives?
Brian: Look, glass is superior for flavor, heat resistance, and overall experience – there's no debate there. But I'm also realistic. If you're going hiking or to a festival where breakage is likely, silicone makes sense. It's virtually indestructible. Just know that silicone absorbs flavors over time, so that clean taste won't last forever.
Acrylic is the bottom tier – it's cheap and lightweight, but scratches easily, can alter the taste of your smoke, and degrades quickly. I honestly wouldn't recommend it except as an absolute last resort.
For most people, I'd say invest in a quality glass piece for home use, and maybe have a silicone backup for travel or outdoor activities. Or better yet, get a mini glass bong with thick walls – it's portable but still gives you that clean glass experience.
Candyce: Customer reviews for TAG products often mention the quality of customer service. How important is that aspect of your business?
Brian: It's absolutely critical. One story I love to tell is when a customer placed their first order for a 18mm stem and a 14mm bowl. Someone from our shipping department actually called them to say, “Just FYI, these bowls wouldn't fit those stems.” The customer explained they were replacements for other parts, but they were impressed that we took the time to prevent a potential issue.
That kind of attention to detail is who we are. We're not just selling products; we're selling an experience. If someone has questions about joint sizes, percolation, or which piece is best for their needs, we want to help. The smoking community is built on shared knowledge, and we take pride in being a trusted resource, not just a retailer.
Candyce: What are some common mistakes people make when buying their first bong?
Brian: The biggest one is focusing on looks over function. I see people buy these elaborate, multi-chamber pieces with five different percs because they look impressive, but the airflow is terrible, they're impossible to clean, and they break within months.
Another common mistake is going too cheap. People buy a $30 bong, it breaks after a few weeks, so they buy another $30 bong, and the cycle continues. If they'd just invested $150 in a quality piece upfront, they'd have saved money over time.
Ignoring joint sizes is another big one. Make sure your accessories match your bong's joint size and gender, or you'll be back shopping for adapters.
Lastly, people often underestimate the importance of maintenance. Even the best bong will perform poorly if it's clogged with residue. Regular cleaning is essential for optimal function.
Candyce: Looking at the industry as a whole, what trends are you seeing? Where do you think glass technology is headed?
Brian: We're seeing increased demand for customization. People want to be able to switch out different components – downstems, percs, ash catchers – to fine-tune their experience. At TAG, we've responded with our Made To Order service, which lets customers request specific variants of almost any item we offer.
There's also a growing interest in engineering over aesthetics. Customers are becoming more educated about how percolation works, how joint quality affects durability, and why glass thickness matters. They're asking more technical questions and making more informed decisions.
As for the future, I think we'll see continued innovation in percolation technology and more focus on specialized pieces for different consumption methods. The one-size-fits-all approach is giving way to purpose-built glass designed for specific experiences.
Candyce: To wrap up, if someone takes just one piece of advice from this interview when shopping for glass, what should it be?
Brian: Buy quality once instead of buying cheap repeatedly. A well-made bong isn't just about avoiding breaks – it's about getting a smoother, more efficient experience every time you use it. The difference between a properly engineered piece and a mass-produced one is night and day, and once you feel it, you'll never want to go back.
If you're serious about your smoking experience, invest in glass that's built to perform, not just look pretty on a shelf. Your lungs and your wallet will thank you in the long run.
Candyce: Brian, thanks so much for your time and insights. This has been really educational.
Brian: Thanks for having me, Candyce. Always happy to clear the smoke on these topics.
