Whether you’re new to dabbing or have been dabbing for a while, you may have heard the terms “banger” and “nail” used interchangeably. But there’s actually a huge difference between the two. Here’s everything you need to know.
What is a nail?
Titanium nails are the most durable. but using them affects the flavor of your dabs. If you’re looking for maximum terps, steer clear of titanium.
A dab nail is usually made of titanium and features a flat shape, They’re called nails because they actually resemble the ordinary type of nail you’d use for carpentry. However, they’re generally made with titanium for durability. All titanium nails are similar and come in different sizes, though many are universally fitted for most joint sizes.
What is a banger?
Quartz bangers provide the optimal flavor profile, allowing the full taste of the terps to come through.
Unlike nails, bangers come in a few different shapes and sizes and can be made from different materials. Bangers have a deep dish and a joint that comes out of it to attach to your downstem or dab rig at either a 90-degree or 45-degree angle.
Bangers have a larger dabbing surface and allow for more airflow into your rig. They’re good for beginners since they’re further away from your face and rig. They can also be made with quartz or ceramic. Both are great for holding onto heat, with the downside being that they’re more fragile than titanium nails.
The differences between nails and bangers
The most important aspects of the dabbing experience are flavor, durability and heating potential. When you’re choosing between a nail and a banger, you’ll want to know the differences between the two in these areas to pick something that’s going to work well for you.
Flavor
Titanium tends to offer a bit of a metallic flavor to your dabs, so it might not be ideal if you’re looking to get the best flavors out of your concentrates. Bangers are going to offer you the truest taste of your terpenes since quartz and ceramic are both flavorless. With that said, you won’t experience any altered flavors when you opt for a banger.
Durability
Titanium nails are virtually indestructible. So if you’re new to dabbing or if you’re accident prone, you’ll likely get a longer life out of them. They won’t break down from drops or from heat damage. Bangers are much more fragile. Quartz runs the risk of being damaged when dropped as well as getting chazzed from carbon deposits and repeated heating and cooling. Ceramic is susceptible to breakage and heat stress.
Heating Capabilities
When it comes to heat, you need to consider how long the material takes to heat up and how long it can hold onto that heat when you stop hitting it with your torch. Titanium needs to be heated a bit longer than quartz, but not as long as ceramic. It’ll also retain heat better than both. Quartz on the other hand heats up in as little as 10 seconds but can lose heat rapidly while ceramic takes about 30 seconds to heat up and holds onto heat significantly longer than quartz.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, both titanium nails and bangers are great for dabbing concentrates of all consistencies. The differences are pretty small, so it all boils down to your personal preferences and your ideal experiences. If rich flavors and fast dabs are your forte, opt for a banger. If durability and heat retention are more your thing, you’ll love a titanium nail.
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