These pipes are in fact made of steel and not lead,[1] but no one has cared to check since steel pipes crack skulls just as well as the lead ones.
Characteristics
Lead pipes are a low level melee weapon readily available at the beginning of the game. However, they quickly become obsolete due to other, better melee weapons such as tire irons, switchblades, and machetes being available at the same time. Still, lead pipes can be modified to make them remain relevant until one finds another melee weapon.