Review: Micra Bong by CS Drift from 420 Pipes
In a world of multi-thousand dollar heady rigs and a seemingly infinite supply of cheap glass flooding the market, I have to admit that my biases get the best of me when I hear the term “acrylic bong.” Instantly, pictures of my dad’s 90s acrylic straight tube and the novelty 4-foot “big blue” that my friends had as teens flash to mind. When I was offered the chance to try the CS Drift Micra courtesy of 420 Pipes, I was excited to see something that blew my preconceptions away, a handmade in Illinois custom piece (manufactured in Lemont), and it made acrylic intriguing again.
David, the original artist, personally crafts each bong, giving each its own unique experience. This clear acrylic bong stands 11 inches tall with a very slight tilt. There is a large and sturdy, clear, and black acrylic base and a smaller clear acrylic plate that holds the floating downstem in place. The bowl itself is a large aluminum double-sided donut with a perfect aperture for flower that slots right onto the small aluminum downstem insert.

ILNJ photo
There are two small carb holes, one over the other just behind the bowl on the main tube. A vinyl indicator demarcates the water fill line, and there is a CS Drift Micra decal on the side. Included in the package is an optional floating “soccer ball” insert that breaks up the incoming smoke and adds a bit of silliness to the whole thing.
Overall, the pipe is fun and sleek and, for me, it lands somewhere between science experiment and 1980s picture of the future. While rubbery nubs keep it stable enough for table top use, the bong has a good weight in the hand and feels as sturdy as any glass piece I own.
The CS Drift Micra was extremely easy to use straight from the package. Water to the fill line, pack the bowl, place on the stem, cover the carbs, light and go. It had been many years since I had used a bong with carb(s) so there was a bit of a learning curve, but after a few bowls, I was pulling some solid clouds.
I had some concerns about cleaning as acrylic is susceptible to isopropyl alcohol, my usual M.O. The removable downstem insert and long wire brush that came in the package made things easy to get clear with alternating hot and cold water, but I can tell I’ll have to really stay on top of it to prevent buildup and discoloration.
I left my time with CS Drift Micra impressed. The piece is free of pretension without letting go of the concept of handmade quality. It’s easy to use, it’s sturdy, and it’s easy to clean. Most of all, it challenged my biases about acrylic and left me excited to see what comes next. For more Illinois News Joint reviews, visit here.
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