Shark Rig
Water pipes & bongs
by Hemper
Hemper Shark Rig — Themed Borosilicate Glass Water Pipe
The Shark Rig is a 7-inch borosilicate glass water pipe from Hemper that turns your smoke session into a proper deep-sea encounter. Built from 3 mm thick glass with a built-in downstem and 14 mm male joint flower bowl, this shark-shaped rig filters and cools each hit through water percolation — delivering noticeably smoother draws than a dry pipe. It's the kind of piece that sits on your shelf looking menacing and hits like a dream.
What Makes the Shark Rig Worth Picking Up
Novelty glass gets a bad reputation — and honestly, sometimes it's deserved. Plenty of themed pieces sacrifice function for looks: awkward mouthpiece angles, flimsy joints, glass so thin you could sneeze and crack it. The Hemper Shark Rig dodges those problems. At 3 mm wall thickness, the borosilicate glass is sturdy enough for regular use without feeling like you're handling a Christmas ornament. It's not the thickest glass we carry (some scientific-style pieces run 5 mm or more), but for a themed rig at this price point, 3 mm is solid and more than adequate for tabletop use.
The built-in downstem does the heavy lifting on filtration. Water sits in the belly of the shark, and your smoke travels through it before reaching the mouthpiece — stripping out particulates and cooling the vapour on the way up. The result is a hit that's noticeably less harsh on your throat compared to a standard dry pipe. If you've ever coughed yourself inside out on a straight glass chillum, you'll appreciate the difference immediately.
And then there's the look. The shark silhouette is unmistakable — dorsal fin, tail, the lot. It's a conversation starter, a display piece, and a functional water pipe rolled into one. We've sold plenty of themed glass over the years, and the ones that stick around are the ones that actually work well. This one does.
Specifications
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | Hemper |
| Height | 7 inches (approx. 18 cm) |
| Glass thickness | 3 mm |
| Material | Borosilicate glass |
| Joint size | 14 mm male |
| Bowl included | Yes — 14 mm flower bowl |
| Downstem | Built-in |
| SKU | HS2615 |
How to Use the Shark Rig
- Fill the rig with water through the mouthpiece opening. Add enough so the bottom of the downstem is submerged by roughly 1-2 cm. Too much water and you'll get splashback; too little and you lose filtration.
- Dry-pull through the mouthpiece (inhale without lighting). If water reaches your lips, pour a bit out. You want smooth airflow with visible bubbling — that's the sweet spot.
- Pack the included 14 mm flower bowl loosely. Don't cram it tight; airflow needs to pass through. A medium grind works best — not powder-fine, not chunky.
- Place the packed bowl into the 14 mm male joint on the rig.
- Hold the rig steady on a flat surface or grip it around the body (not the bowl or mouthpiece). Light the bowl while inhaling slowly and steadily through the mouthpiece.
- Once the chamber fills with filtered smoke, lift the bowl to clear it. Inhale the remaining vapour from the chamber.
- Exhale, appreciate the smooth hit, and try not to hum the Jaws theme.
Keeping Your Shark Rig Clean
Glass rigs taste best when they're clean — residue buildup kills flavour and makes every hit harsher. Change the water after each session. For a deeper clean, pour coarse salt and isopropyl alcohol (90% or higher) into the chamber, cover the openings with your palms or cling film, and shake vigorously for 30-60 seconds. Rinse thoroughly with warm water afterwards. The built-in downstem means you can't remove it for separate cleaning, so regular maintenance matters more here than on rigs with removable parts. Once a week is a good rhythm if you're using it daily.
Complete your setup: grab a set of pipe screens to keep ash out of the downstem, and a decent grinder for an even, consistent pack. If you want a carrying solution for this piece, a padded smell-proof bag keeps it safe between sessions.
Honest Limitations
The built-in downstem is both a strength and a weakness. It keeps the design clean and eliminates the risk of losing a separate downstem piece, but it also means if the internal stem ever chips or cracks, you're replacing the whole rig rather than just a component. Handle with care — don't tap it against the sink when emptying water.
At 3 mm thickness, this isn't the piece to toss in a backpack for a festival. It's sturdy enough for home use on a table or shelf, but treat it like what it is: glass. Borosilicate is more heat-resistant and durable than standard soda-lime glass, but it's not indestructible. Compared to a silicone bong, you're trading durability for vastly better flavour and a proper smoking experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size bowl fits the Hemper Shark Rig?
It uses a 14 mm male joint, so any 14 mm female bowl will fit. The rig comes with a 14 mm flower bowl included, so you're sorted out of the box.
Can I use the Shark Rig with concentrates?
As shipped, it's set up for dry herb with the included flower bowl. You could swap the bowl for a 14 mm female banger or nail to use it as a dab rig, but at 7 inches tall with a basic downstem, it's really designed with flower in mind.
Is 3 mm glass thick enough to be durable?
For a tabletop piece, yes. 3 mm borosilicate handles normal use and temperature changes well. It won't survive a drop onto tiles, but no glass rig will. Keep it on a stable surface and you'll be fine.
How much water should I put in the Shark Rig?
Enough to submerge the downstem opening by about 1-2 cm. Do a test pull without lighting — if water hits your lips, pour some out. You want steady bubbling without splashback.
How do I clean a rig with a built-in downstem?
Coarse salt and 90%+ isopropyl alcohol, shaken inside the chamber for 30-60 seconds. Rinse with warm water. Do this weekly if you're a daily user — you can't remove the downstem for separate cleaning, so staying on top of it matters.
Is the Shark Rig good as a gift?
It's one of the best themed pieces for gifting. The shark design is instantly recognisable, it comes with a bowl so nothing extra is needed, and the 7-inch size makes it easy to wrap. We've sold loads of these around the holidays.
Last updated: April 2026
