In a world where cannabis accessories range from $20 gas station specials to $2,000 “heady glass” art pieces, Thick Ass Glass occupies a unique position: they make bongs that actually work. No Instagram collaborations, no limited drops, no mystique—just glass thick enough to survive real life and engineering precise enough to deliver the smoothest possible hits.
I spoke with Brian Handschuh, TAG’s founder and self-described “German engineering obsessive,” about why he started a company with such an unapologetic name, why most percolators are badly designed, and how he’s managed to build a cult following by doing the exact opposite of what everyone else in the industry does. What emerged was a refreshingly honest take on an industry often clouded by hype and marketing smoke.
Kathy Stillman: Brian, let’s start with the obvious—”Thick Ass Glass” isn’t exactly a subtle brand name. What made you go with something so… direct?
Brian Handschuh: Because subtlety is overrated when you’re trying to fix an industry problem. Everyone was making thinner and thinner glass to maximize profits. We looked at that trend and said, “Let’s do the complete opposite and make sure everyone knows it.”
The name says exactly what we do. No corporate buzzwords, no pretentious descriptions. You want thick glass that won’t break? That’s literally what we’re called. It’s honest, and apparently, people appreciate that.
KS: Your company tagline mentions being “committed to durability, constantly seeking ways to improve the integrity of our glass.” That sounds more like a car manufacturer than a bong company.
BH: [laughs] Maybe that’s the German in me. But seriously, why shouldn’t smoking accessories be engineered properly? You’re dealing with heat, water, pressure differentials—it’s basic physics. Yet most companies treat it like arts and crafts hour.
We use CAD modeling for our percolators. We calculate optimal slit spacing for airflow. We reinforce stress points where other glass typically fails. If that sounds like overkill for a bong, you’ve probably never had a piece break while you’re cleaning it.
KS: Speaking of breaking, you mention that TAG pieces are “heavy” as a selling point. In most industries, that would be a negative.
BH: Only because people are conditioned to think lighter equals more advanced. But with glass, weight equals durability. Our beakers have 12-16mm thick bases. Pick one up and it feels substantial—like it’s not going to tip over if your cat jumps on the table.
Compare that to standard 3-6mm bases. Those things tip if you breathe too hard near them. When you’re dealing with hot nails and torches, stability isn’t just convenient—it’s a safety issue.
KS: Your blog content is surprisingly educational. You have posts explaining how to measure joint sizes with a penny. Why focus on education over traditional marketing?
BH: Because the industry treats customers like idiots, and I hate that. People spend hundreds on glass without understanding basic compatibility. They don’t know why their bong has drag or why certain percolators function better than others.
We published a guide on bowl sizes—10mm versus 14mm versus 18mm—and what each size means for airflow and function. The response was huge because no one else explains this stuff. They just expect you to figure it out after wasting money on parts that don’t fit.
KS: You’re pretty critical of industry pricing. Your recent post literally says some brands sell “overpriced, fragile art pieces.” Aren’t you worried about alienating potential partners?
BH: Partners who overcharge for inferior products? I’m okay with alienating them. Look, there are brands making beautiful, functional glass that’s worth premium prices. But there are also brands charging $800 for basic beakers with 5mm walls and a logo. That’s not craftsmanship—that’s marketing.
We charge about $150 for a beaker with walls nearly twice as thick as those “luxury” pieces. Better function, better durability, honest pricing. If that alienates companies relying on hype over quality, good.
KS: Let’s talk about your “Made To Order” service. In an industry built on mass production, how does custom work make sense?
BH: Financially? It doesn’t. MTO is inefficient, time-consuming, and barely profitable. But we kept getting requests—specific colors, left-handed designs, discontinued models. After saying no for years, we figured out how to say yes.
It’s about taking care of people who support us. If someone’s been searching for a specific variant for two years, why not make it for them? Not everything has to be about maximizing profit margins.
KS: Your customer service approach seems almost anachronistic. You actually call customers who might have ordered incompatible parts?
BH: Because returns are a nightmare for everyone involved. Customer orders wrong parts, waits for delivery, realizes the mistake, pays return shipping, waits for exchange—it’s weeks of frustration.
Or, we make a five-minute phone call: “Hey, these parts won’t work together. Did you mean to order this instead?” Problem solved before it starts. It’s not rocket science, but apparently, we’re the only ones doing it.
KS: Let’s get technical. You mention “Super Slit” diffusers. What makes a diffuser “super”?
BH: Precision and density. Most diffusers have 20-30 slits cut haphazardly. Ours have 50-100 slits precisely sized and spaced for optimal airflow. Each slit is calculated to create the right bubble size for maximum cooling without adding drag.
It’s labor-intensive and expensive to produce. We could make basic diffusers for a fraction of the cost. But then you’d get harsh hits and wonder why you spent money on “premium” glass. Function matters more than profit margins.
KS: You seem to have strong opinions about percolator design. What’s the most overrated percolator style?
BH: Tree percs with too many arms and tiny slits. They look impressive—all those little glass tubes—but they’re a nightmare functionally. Too much drag, impossible to clean properly, and they break if you look at them wrong.
The best percolators are simple but precisely engineered. Honeycomb percs, matrix percs, well-designed showerheads. They provide excellent diffusion without turning your bong into a clogged mess after a week.
KS: Your blog posts read like Consumer Reports articles. You literally tell people which bong types to avoid. How does that help sales?
BH: It builds trust. If someone wants a gravity bong and we tell them they’re harsh for beginners, they appreciate the honesty. They might buy something else, or they might come back when they’re ready. Either way, they know we’re not just trying to make a quick sale.
We have a whole post about novelty bongs where we basically say, “These look cool but function terribly.” Are we losing sales on ceramic wizard bongs? Sure. But we’re gaining customers who value honest advice.
KS: What’s the most frustrating misconception about the glass industry?
BH: That expensive automatically means better. I’ve seen $1,000 pieces with paper-thin joints and percolators that barely function. Meanwhile, people assume a $100 TAG piece must be inferior because it costs less than the “premium” brands.
Price should reflect materials, engineering, and function—not just hype. But the industry has conditioned people to equate high prices with quality, regardless of actual performance.
KS: Where do you see TAG in the next few years?
BH: Continuing to educate and innovate. We’re working on video content—stress tests comparing glass thickness, slow-motion percolator comparisons, real engineering breakdowns. Not glamorous, but useful.
Also developing new designs that push function even further. Can’t reveal much, but imagine diffusion so efficient it feels like you’re breathing air, not smoke. All while maintaining that signature TAG durability.
KS: Final question—what’s your advice for someone considering their first quality glass purchase?
BH: Start simple but start right. Get a 12-14 inch beaker with at least 7-9mm wall thickness and a diffused downstem. Should run you $80-120. Use it daily for a month.
Then try using a thin, cheap piece again. You’ll physically feel the difference—the instability, the harsh hits, the constant worry about breaking it. Once you experience properly engineered glass, there’s no going back.
And please, learn to measure your joint size with a penny. It’ll save you more frustration than you can imagine.
Discover TAG’s full collection of honestly priced, properly engineered glass at thickassglass.com. Because life’s too short for bongs that break when you clean them.
