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Roach Clips: A Vital Tool for a Serious Stoner

Roach Clip

August 12, 2023Reviews

Roach clips are used to safely hold the roach and prevent burning your fingers while you finish it off. The term “roach” refers to the end of a joint, spliff, or blunt. It’s usually too small to use without burning yourself, but for some people, it’s not worth wasting. Some people even save these end pieces to smoke later in a bowl or combined joint.  Others may smoke all the way through the roach until there is nothing left to smoke. This can be difficult to do though because by the time it’s become a roach, it’s so small that you risk burning your fingers or mouth trying to smoke it.  And that’s where a roach clip comes in. Roach clips are used to safely hold the roach and prevent burning your fingers while you finish it off.

Roach clip defined

A roach clip can be many things as long as it’s capable of holding the end of your smoking materials safely. Bobby pins, tweezers, and even paper clips have been known to serve as roach clips, but beyond household items, you can also purchase specially made roach clips from sellers.  Dictionary.com defines a roach clip as “a small tweezer-like clip for holding the butt of a marijuana cigarette.” Similarly, Urban Dictionary calls a roach clip “a metal holder you use when the joint is too small and burns your lips and fingers”

Cannabis use amongst both Millennials and Baby Boomers is markedly high, opening up opportunities for a generational bond through mutual interests. And while any eager Millennial may be able to educate their elders on newer cannabis technology such as Vape-Pens, Dabs, or Blunts, it is possible that a more seasoned smoker might have a couple of low-tech tricks up their sleeve too.

Whether we are talking about an alligator clip with a feather from the 80s or a surgical hemostat, this joint smoking tool has been independently ‘invented’ out of necessity dozens of times. So, open up that stash-box, because we’re diving into the history of roach clips!
Roach clip defined

Common Slang for a Roach Clip

“Roach clip” is the unofficial name for any tool that helps you smoke and pass a small joint/blunt. The consensus definition is pretty well sum up by the Online Slang Dictionary:

  • A device used to hold a roach (end of the joint) so it doesn’t burn your fingers such as an alligator clip or hemostat.
  • Any device that can be used to hold a marijuana cigarette when it gets too short to hold. For example, in Scary Movie Shorty uses jumper cables to hold his blunt.

While there is a consensus about what a roach clip is, there are at least two conflicting origins into the term ‘roach.’

Types of roach clips

In “The Ubiquitous Roach Clip”, Willeford discusses the first types of roach clips used, describing the act of bending matches into a v-shape to hold the end of the joint.

Bobby pins and paper clips

He goes on to say, “The bobby pin was much better. A natural development as women were drawn inevitably into the weed culture. With one flat interior side, and one bumpy side, the bobby pin was an evolutionary milestone, and a far better roach clip than the ordinary office paper clip. The paper clip, however, which can be bent into various forms, depending upon the twisting skills and artistic inclination of the stone-age artist, held it own with the bobby pin for two or three years.”

Bobby pins and paper clips 

Fashion-forward clips

This is where the Garry Knox Bennett story really came to life. Before he started making and selling his own, roach clips were nothing glamorous. They were just used to prevent burning your fingers.  And then, in the middle of the 1960s counterculture, came the fancy roach clips. Suddenly it wasn’t just about getting the last puff with as little trouble as possible. It was about making a statement, choosing a roach clip that suited you all while enjoying getting to enjoy your last puff free from pain.

Fashion-forward clips 

Feathers and alligator clips

As the ‘80s rolled in, a new type of roach clip took over. Feathered alligator clips, like the kind young girls would wear in their hair, became the popular choice.  If you’re looking for some nostalgia, check out this Like Totally 80s entry about feather roach clips. To sum it up: “I remember being grosse out by the name. Ew! ROACH clip?? Grody! Why do they CALL it that?? Little did nine-year-old me know that they weren’t referring to cockroaches; these were the kind of roaches that would cause your mom to REALLY have a cow if they showed up in the house.  But, feathered roach clips for your hair were entirely legal and wholesome and pretty, then AND now. ”

Feathers and alligator clips

Roach Clip – The Best Way to Smoke Down a Full Joint Without Burning Your Fingers Or Throwing It Out

At some point, all good things must come to an end – for joints this means eventually shrinking down into an insignificant roach. Instead of burning your fingers or discarding it altogether, use a roach clip for those final few pulls!

These handy tools resemble hemostat locking forceps but feature full serrated jaws for greater gripping power. There is a selection of lengths and styles available.

It’s a Smoking Tool

Most people understand that roach clips are handy little gadgets use for holding down joints and blunts so you can smoke it all the way through, but this device offers so much more.

Are You A Serious Stoner? Smoking tools should reflect this: you are always seeking ways to enhance the experience, making smoking even more pleasurable – what could be more entertaining than an eye-catching roach clip?

Roach clips come in many styles; some may be functional while others can be decorative. Many are construct out of metal while there are also wooden options. Plus, you can engrave them for an added personal touch!

In the 1960s, artists started getting truly innovative with their roach clip designs. One artist by the name of Gary Knox Bennett took mass-produced alligator clips and transformed them into intricate works of art that rivaled even complex tweezers in complexity – some even featured Baroque spirals or gemstones!

It’s a Smoking Tool

Stoners preferred forceps because of their unique clamp, which made holding onto a roach clip easier due to marijuana smokers’ tendency for being disorganize. Although forceps resemble mini scissors in appearance, these forceps made for better tracking since weed smokers may become disoriented quickly.

Other people found different methods of holding their roach clips, including bent bobby pins and office paper clips. While these solutions worked temporarily, they weren’t as intuitive or secure at holding onto a roach clip.

Cock clips are easily available and affordable accessories for stoners, making them accessible and hassle-free when it comes to smoking setups.

It’s a Keychain

A roach clip is an essential accessory for any smoker, keeping fingers safe from burns while making sure every bit of dry herb is consume to the very last particle. These clips come in many shapes and sizes but all share one thing in common: making enjoying cannabis easier without burning your fingers or dropping it. If you’re serious about smoking cannabis, be sure to invest in high-quality clips that look as great as they function.

It’s a Keychain

Roach clips are easy to find both in stores that sell hair accessories and headshops as well as online. A quick search on Amazon will show a range of these accessories to meet any style or personal preference; in addition, there are DIY options so that you can build one specifically tailored to your smoking habits and preferences.

Early 1960s Beatniks and Hippies adopted clip devices known as “roach clips” as a means to avoid burning. Their hands when smoking joints, similar to how partially-smoked ends of cigarettes. Look similar to the shape of a cockroach. Over time these basic tools became more intricate. Garry Knox Bennett became popular for creating ornate clips resembling mini statues or insects for display at art exhibits during this era.

Since their invention in the 1940s, more sophisticated clips made from materials like brass and stainless steel have become more widespread than ever. Resembling regular clothespins in appearance, but designed to take more heat than wooden matches or bobby pins. Perhaps most notably is the alligator clip; made of metal it can withstand even joint smoking’s. Intense heat without burns occurring to hands free for other activities during smoke sessions. These clip devices have become more prevalent and widely used by many to protect themselves against burns. While freeing hands up for other activities during smoke sessions – keeping hands free for other activities during smoke sessions.

Other clips designed to hold joints include hemostats – small scissor-like medical tools with locking. Clamps used for holding joints securely – or more elaborate designs, like 41 Cannabis Co’s Flower Stamped. Ring Roach Clip with intricate clasping “hands” designed to secure it all for you.

It’s a Trap

A roach clip, or joint holder, is an ideal way to safely consume full-size joints without risking burnt fingers. The term derives its name from its similarity to cockroaches – both being small, difficult objects to hold. They’re widely use As marijuana smoking spread beyond New York City Jazz clubs. The roach clip gradually evolved from a bulky wire device resembling tweezers into more stylish clips with vibrant designs. Alligator hair clips (originally intended to hold electronics), featuring colorful feathers on a leather cord and originally. Intended for electronics storage, quickly became prized items at carnivals before eventually becoming staple items among stoners. Hemostats – medical devices featuring locking clamps with narrow tips – became part of cannabis culture as well.

There are various methods for creating a roach clip, with virtually endless creative options ranging from bent paperclips to dedicated clips adorned with DnD dice – there is truly no wrong choice when it comes to crafting these accessories.

Many artists in the 1960s and ’70s began adding some flair to these simple designs. Such as Garry Knox Bennett who made ornate roach clips that looked like miniature statues. Nowadays, you can find all types of roach clips online, from simple designs that just clip onto your joint to more elaborate versions. That allow for smoking down every inch without burning your fingers or wasting any weed.

It’s a Craft

A roach clip is one of the many essential tools a serious stoner needs. Easy to find at craft stores or shops selling hair accessories. Even simpler to create yourself with paperclips or bobby pins bent open just wide enough for flattened roaches to slide between their metal bars. Add beads, sequins or glitter for even more artful decoration of your roach clip!

No exact date can be given when the roach clip was first create. Though its popularity began growing during the 1960s with Beatniks and Hippies. At that time, people started accessorizing them with feathers or other decorations to give their clip a personal touch. One artist known by name of Garry Knox Bennett became well-known for designing intricate clips to resemble statues or even artistic insects.

Other roach clip tools were also popular during this era. Such as hemostats and alligator clips – medical instruments with scissor-like handles that feature clamps designed to hold insects. Such as hemostats and alligator clips, used not only for their practicality but also due to their distinctive designs. Both tools became integral parts of weed culture during that era.

No matter how you decide to decorate your roach clip, keep this in mind: its main job is getting you smoking. Keep several spare roach clips handy just in case one breaks or falls off – that way, when smoking needs arise, you won’t be limit by just one clip alone!

Now more than ever before, stoners can find various styles and colors of roach clips as well as all manner of marijuana paraphernalia to meet their needs. Most headshops sell them, as do online retailers such as Amazon or Etsy that specialize in cannabis accessories. Cock clips come in basic or elegant models; any serious stoner needs one!

Where can I get a roach clip?

Roach clips are everywhere. You don’t really need to go anywhere to get one, nor do you need to spend money. But you can.  Craft stores and shops selling hair accessories are a great start for getting roach clip tools. You can even check out hardware stores for different clip devices.  And then there are headshops, which often have roach clips available for sale. Or you can order online and choose from a variety of different options. If you’re really into using roach clips, it may be worth going out and finding a personalized one you like. If you don’t care much, you don’t have to buy anything new. There’s probably a bobby pin or tool lying around that can get the job done.

You can even make your own homemade personalized roach clip from materials at the craft store. Get some wire, clips, and your favorite decors like beads or sequins, and glue it all together.  Roach clips are fairly simple. If it will hold the roach properly it’s done its job. Buying or making a roach clip can be as simple or as intricate as you like, and that’s what’s so fun about them.

Roach Clipss

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