Dab Anthropology: The History of Dabbing in a Nutshell

In today’s ever-evolving cannabis market, every serial pothead or recreational smoker has earned the privilege to watch the future of getting high unfold in full force.

Thanks to the advent of cutting-edge marijuana products and forward-thinking approaches being carried out by manufacturers each day, the age of cannabis concentrates is now in full swing. Compared to the olden days of surprisingly-harmful joints and throat-burning pipes, cannabis concentrates have paved the way for the future of pot smoking in the form of dab rigs.

Whether you know them as the more advanced iteration of the trusted bong or an intersection between high school chemistry and a daily routine, these futuristic pipes are a gift from the heavens. If you have your own M&M Tech Beaker Dab, as a matter of fact, then you’re probably well-aware of how groundbreaking dabbing genuinely is. 

However, with all this talk about dab rigs and the difference they make in the world of pot-smoking, there’s one question that you should ask yourself sooner or later: Do you know enough about their history?

A brief history of dab rigs and their evolution

While we’re all very familiar with how dab rigs look like, how they work, and how they make all of us feel, very few of the world’s stoners know about their history as much as they should. Thankfully, it isn’t too late to brush up on the pillars of stoner history because we’ve got you covered with a rundown of the history of the dab rig in further detail. 

Put your dab rigs aside and clear your high for a bit because we’re about to take you on a history lesson on your new favorite tool: 

The birth: Hot-Knifing

Based on canna-anthropologists’ findings, the earliest example of dabbing in the world of cannabis was “hot-knifing”—a prominent trend that cannabis connoisseurs enjoyed from the 60s to the 90s. 

Compared to the dab rigs that are widely available in today's market, this form of prehistoric dabbing was more “savage” in nature because it heavily relied on manual work and makeshift systems. 

During the hot-knifing experience, cannabis connoisseurs would heat two knives that had concentrates on top on a hot stove until they were glowing red. After the optimal temperatures were achieved, the resulting vapor would be inhaled through a tube or plastic bottle with an opened base, a pre-rig version of the same vapors we enjoy today. 

The start of evolution: Swing Sets

After hot knifing became all the rage, veteran stoners set out to create easier means to enjoy concentrates in convenient forms with modern science and ingenuity—hence, the Swing Set was born.

Created by Hash Master Kut (HMK) and GGirl in 2006, the Swing Sets were designed and developed to deliver the same high as hot knifing but with less savagery and more ingenuity. The Swing Sets had titanium skillet bong attachments that would be heated to the point where they could eventually vaporize set amounts of concentrate, creating a vapor that can be inhaled through a glass pipe. 

Although Swing Sets would later lose their significance because of modern developments, these ingenious devices practically walked away so that today’s dab rigs like M&M Tech’s products could run!

Conclusion

In today’s ever-green pot smoking and cannabis world, the modern dab rig is as groundbreaking as they come. However, most people don’t realize just how rich the history behind the device is. With this guide’s help, you can foster a much stronger understanding of the story of modern rigs and cultivate a greater sense of appreciation for the device! 

Are you looking for a dab rig that suits your pot-smoking needs? We’ve got you covered. Have a look at our wide range of micro dab rigs, water pipes, downstems, and headys by visiting our online and placing your order today!

Is there a cannabis enthusiast who hasn’t used a bong?

The whole idea behind M&M Tech! is LESS is more. Cannabis users shouldn’t have to need dozens of different percolators —especially in the 2000s, 2010s, 2020s and beyond.

You should be able to simplify your smoking routine, and pare down to just a few items that allow you to have your best sesh. That’s why our ice catch water bongs, are perfect for HUGE rips and amazing flavors! and our line of honeycomb percolators—known as “Lattices”—that are hand woven and provide the most amazing flavors ever

M&M Tech waterbongs come in a variety of colors and tube thickness. They start as low as $67 each and sold on the M&M Tech website.

M&M Tech products come in many styles to suite your needs from dabs to dry herbs. M&M Tech Starter Beaker , a small durable beaker featuring a ice pinch for cool, flavorful hits for dab or herbs; M&M Tech Fortress Beaker, a super thick glass bong for the most clumsiest of hands;M&M Tech Lattice OG, an hand made lattice percolator disc for maximum diffusion, cooling, and best flavors, when having a sesh