What would be the best stem material for me, I tend to chew the $hit out of my pipe stems. I am thinking of trying the rubber protectors but would like another option.
Best Stem for a Clencher???
- Thread starter 05venturer
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Use acrylic stems and a soft bit. I use food-grade heat shrink tubing, which does the same thing for cheaper.
I love my high quality German vulcanite stems. They are soft on the teeth and they take a beating. The older sulpher laden british and older italian stems are comfy, but can get teeth marks much easier than the newer German stuff.
I have always wondered about those softy bits and rubber taste, is it that noticeable and if it is why use them if it is taking away from the flavors of your tobacco?
Here is the stuff I use. It is "Medical Grade" which is the highest quality. A $10 pack will outfit 20 pipes or so, so why not get the best? You can get plain food grade for $8 a pack, though. They shrink with a hair dryer or heat gun or even a few passes with a lighter, but you have to be VERY careful with a butane lighter or it will melt. They don't impart any more taste than a vulcanite bit will.
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/INSULTAB-Heat-Shrink-Tubing-4WMU6?Pid=search
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/INSULTAB-Heat-Shrink-Tubing-4WMU6?Pid=search
Where can one buy these bits? I'm a biter and my corn cob stem is all chewed up (so are my pens lol).
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