The way I look at it is that I don’t have any expectation of selling any of my pipes. They will go to my funeral pyre with me. So, any minor chatter is mine for the long haul. I clench at all times, and never have I made an indention in the soft vulcanite of any significance, or any marks at all on my horn or acrylic stems. Why worry?
I use my truck as a truck and haul things in it, without worry. I don’t cover my furniture in plastic, and the dog and cat set next to me. I don’t put my suit jackets in plastic when not wearing them, nor do I worry much about the wear and tear on anything I own. Why would I worry about a little chatter on my pipes?
Besides, the softies make me feel like I have a ball gag in my mouth. It makes for a horrible smoking experience for me. Besides, smoking a pipe with the intentions that one day I will sell or trade it is like leasing a car, and worrying about getting ash on the seats. No fun at all.
I keep my pipes in the best condition possible by cleaning them with water till they look new each evening. They are clean and provide amazing smokes, time after time. That’s all that matters to me.