Uses
Pipe bombs are by nature improvised weapons, and typically used by those without access to military devices such as grenades. In Northern Ireland, there have been hundreds of pipe bomb attacks since the mid 1990s (towards the end of the "Troubles"). Most of the attacks have been launched by loyalist paramilitaries opposed to the 1994 ceasefires, especially the Red Hand Defenders (RHD) and Orange Volunteers (OV). However, they have also been used by Irish republican paramilitaries and by anti-drugs vigilante group Republican Action Against Drugs (RAAD).
As well as users such as criminals, paramilitaries and militias they also have a long tradition of recreational use for amusement or mischief with no intention to cause injury to anyone. Due to the dangers of premature ignition and of shrapnel, pipe bombs are much more dangerous than alternatives such as dry ice bombs or spud guns.
Another common usage of improvised pipe bombs is for the purposes of stump removal. Though fairly dangerous, it is a popular hobby in the Appalachian region of the U.S. to build pipe bombs and use them to blow tree stumps out of the ground. This is usually done to clear farmland.
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