If you’ve ever watched a friend’s cheap bong shatter from a gentle tap against the sink, or struggled through harsh hits from a poorly designed piece, you already understand why Brian Handschuh started Thick Ass Glass. What began as frustration with the industry’s race to the bottom has evolved into one of the most respected names in functional glass—all without the luxury markup.
I sat down with Brian, the engineering mind behind TAG, to talk about why most bongs suck, what actually makes glass “thick ass,” and how his company managed to build a cult following by doing the exact opposite of what everyone else was doing. Spoiler alert: it involves a lot of German engineering philosophy, zero marketing BS, and glass bases thick enough to use as paperweights.
Claire Marshall: Brian, let’s start with the elephant in the room—the name. Thick Ass Glass. Not exactly subtle. What’s the story there?
Brian Handschuh: [laughs] Look, 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 or misleading marketing. When we started in 2013, everyone was racing to make thinner, cheaper glass to maximize profits. We looked at that trend and said, “Screw it, let’s do the opposite.” The name just says what we do—we make thick ass glass. No confusion, no corporate speak, just exactly what you’re getting.
CM: Your “About Us” page mentions you refuse to cut corners even when competitors are producing “thinner, smaller, lower-quality glass in higher quantities.” That’s a bold stance in any industry. Why swim against the current?
BH: Because I’m not interested in making disposable crap. During the pandemic especially, we had the option to go cheap—thinner glass, simpler designs, higher margins. But every cost reduction results in a noticeable decline in product durability and function. When you pick up a TAG piece, you feel the difference immediately—they’re heavy! Even our small pieces are solid.
We use custom super-thick joints, especially on our heavy wall beakers. Sure, we could save weight and production costs with thinner joints, but that leads to weaker products that survive fewer impacts. It’s about the long game—I’d rather have customers using the same TAG piece for a decade than buying a new one every few months.
CM: Let’s talk engineering. You mention things like “super slit diffusers” and “16mm bases.” For someone who’s used to buying whatever’s behind the counter at their local shop, break down why these specs actually matter.
BH: Here’s the thing—a bong isn’t just a tube with water in it. It’s a functional machine with airflow dynamics, pressure differentials, and heat exchange. Take our diffusers, for example. We produce what we call “Super Slit” diffusers with high slit density. They’re difficult and time-consuming to make compared to regular slit counts, but without that density, the function is heavily degraded.
As for the 16mm bases? That’s the difference between a bong that tips over when you breathe on it and one that stays planted. Most competitors use 3-6mm bases. When you’re dealing with hot nails, torches, and potentially expensive concentrates, stability isn’t just convenience—it’s protecting your investment.
CM: You’ve built quite a following on Reddit. One user mentioned that TAG customer service actually called them to verify they meant to order mismatched joint sizes. That seems… unusually attentive?
BH: That’s just how we operate. When someone orders an 18mm stem and a 14mm bowl, there’s a 90% chance they made a mistake. Sure, we could just ship it and deal with the return later, but why waste everyone’s time? That particular customer had replacement parts for other pieces, so it worked out, but I’d rather have that conversation upfront than have someone frustrated with unusable parts.
CM: Your blog content is refreshingly honest about pricing. You straight up tell people that some expensive bongs are “nothing more than overpriced, fragile art pieces.” Aren’t you worried about burning bridges in the industry?
BH: [shrugs] I’m not here to make friends with companies pushing $600 bongs that function worse than our $150 pieces. Don’t get me wrong—brands like RooR and Illadelph make quality glass. But are you getting twice the quality for twice the price? Usually not. You’re paying for the name.
At TAG, we focus on delivering premium quality at a fair price. No celebrity endorsements, no limited edition hype drops, just well-engineered glass that does what it’s supposed to do.
CM: Speaking of engineering, you offer something called “Made To Order” services. In an industry dominated by mass production, how does custom work fit your model?
BH: Production glass brands historically can’t offer custom orders because they need high quantities per variant to hit reasonable prices. But we kept getting requests—”Can you make this piece in green?” or “I need a left-handed recycler.” So in 2021, we launched MTO.
It’s not cheap to do one-offs, but our customers appreciate being able to get exactly what they want. If someone’s been hunting for a specific out-of-stock model for two years, why not make it for them? It goes back to that whole “not cutting corners” philosophy.
CM: Your pieces range from around $50 to $500. How do you justify that spread to someone who’s been buying $20 gas station pieces?
BH: Let me flip that question—how do you justify replacing a $20 bong every two months? Because that’s what happens with cheap glass. Thin walls crack from temperature changes. Weak joints snap. Poor percolation means harsh hits that make you cough up a lung.
Our entry-level stuff around $50-80 is bulletproof borosilicate with proper diffusion. You’re getting 7-9mm walls instead of 3mm. Real percolation instead of a couple of lazy slits. That $80 beaker will outlast ten gas station pieces.
The higher-end stuff? That’s where we get into advanced engineering—multi-chamber recyclers, specialized percolation systems, pieces that would make a fluid dynamics professor weep with joy. You don’t need that for a good experience, but if you want the absolute smoothest, most efficient hit possible, that’s where the magic happens.
CM: You mention “no wasted smoke, no harshness—just pure function.” But let’s be real—a lot of your competitors would say the same thing. What makes TAG different?
BH: Because we actually explain why. Look at our blog content—we break down exactly how percolators work, why joint size affects airflow, what makes borosilicate superior. We’re not just throwing buzzwords at you.
Take bowl sizing, for example. Most people don’t realize that a 10mm bowl creates higher resistance and more concentrated hits, while an 18mm bowl gives you free-flowing, easy draws. That’s not good or bad—it’s about matching your preference. But how many companies actually explain that? They just want to sell you whatever’s in stock.
CM: Your motto seems to be “function over flash.” But the cannabis accessories market is increasingly about aesthetics—color-changing glass, UV reactive pieces, intricate worked sections. Are you leaving money on the table by focusing on function?
BH: Maybe, but I sleep better at night knowing our pieces actually work. Don’t get me wrong—we make good-looking glass. But if I have to choose between a pretty percolator that barely functions and an ugly one that delivers perfect diffusion, I’m going ugly every time.
The thing is, good engineering is beautiful in its own way. When you see smoke flowing through a properly designed recycler, water cycling perfectly with no splash-back—that’s art to me. Form following function.
CM: Last question—where do you see the industry heading, and where does TAG fit in that future?
BH: The industry is splitting. You’ve got the race to the bottom with Chinese imports and gas station glass, and you’ve got the luxury market charging Mercedes prices for Honda quality. We’re carving out the middle—engineering-focused, American-made glass that’s actually worth what you pay.
I think consumers are getting smarter. They’re tired of breaking pieces, tired of harsh hits, tired of paying for hype. They want something that works, lasts, and doesn’t require a second mortgage. That’s our sweet spot, and we’re not going anywhere.
CM: Any parting wisdom for someone looking to upgrade from their gas station special?
BH: Start with a basic TAG beaker—12 to 16 inches, 9mm glass, diffused downstem. It’ll run you about $80-120 depending on sales. Use it for a month. Then try to go back to thin glass. You won’t be able to. Once you experience proper engineering, everything else feels like a toy.
And hey, if it breaks—which it probably won’t—we offer an optional warranty. But honestly? In 11 years, I can count on one hand how many warranty claims we’ve had on pieces that weren’t obviously abused. That’s the difference thick glass makes.
For more information about Thick Ass Glass and their full collection of engineered glass, visit thickassglass.com. And remember—life’s too short for thin glass.
Claire Marshall is the dedicated Editor-in-Chief of NewNoted, with a lifelong passion for journalism and a commitment to transparent and responsible reporting. Hailing from Charleston, South Carolina, she brings a love for storytelling, a devotion to ethics, and a deep appreciation for diverse perspectives to her role at the helm of NewNoted.
