Methods of Preventing Teeth Marks

shawnofthedead · Oct 28, 2015

I just bought a small Stanwell pipe and its stem is very narrow, even the smallest of my rubber bits don't fit it well. The fit is slightly loose, and so moisture will gather underneath them and making the rubber really slippery, thus difficult to clench. I really don't like having teeth marks on my pipe, so I'm wondering if there is a way to make the rubber tighter? Alternatively are there other ways to prevent teeth marks other than using rubber bits?

Chasing Embers · Oct 28, 2015

Some use surgical tubing.

smokinfireman · Oct 28, 2015

Teeth marks are a part of breaking in the pipe. With the proper teeth marks, you will find the pipe rests more comfortably in your teeth.

shawnofthedead · Oct 28, 2015

Yes but after a month the stem is gonna look like discoloured sandpaper.

cosmicfolklore · Oct 28, 2015

Yes but after a month the stem is gonna look like discoloured sandpaper.

It's just par for the course, IMO. When I started I was always worried about that. But, I've since decided that these are my pipes, and my opinion of them is all that matters. I am not a pipe swapper, trader, or re-saler. My pipes will be piled on and burned with me in my funeral pyre, so what does it matter. You can always buff them latter, use a polishing cloth on them after each smoke, or just hold the thing daintily as you smoke.

warren · Oct 28, 2015

Cosmic, you and I share the same position here. The pipe is a tool to be kept in working condition, not pristine condition. Cars get dings, my pistol has holster wear, and I'm looking much the worse for wear myself.

rblood · Oct 28, 2015

I am in the camp of chatter is not an issue as well. I really hate those softy bit things and don't use them, all my smokers have chatter and I am okay with that. Only exception is on pipe I "collect" and those don't get smoked.

aldecaker · Oct 28, 2015

I used to like softies for preventing chatter. After a while, I just got over it and decided I preferred comfortable clenching over less stem maintenance.

fitzy · Oct 28, 2015

I personally prefer the rubber bits as I'm a clencher but since that won't work I'd have to agree with chasingembers on the surgical tubing.

samcoffeeman · Oct 28, 2015

The softy bits make clenching incredibly uncomfortable IMO. The stem is meant to be clenched. I just do it lightly, which is better for my jaw anyhow. It leaves some minor teeth marks but nothing thay would devalue or damage the pipe in any way. Besides that, I get to experiemce how the different makers stems feel and what I prefer for comfort.

sablebrush52 · Oct 28, 2015

Yes but after a month the stem is gonna look like discoloured sandpaper.

You can largely reduce that by moistening the end of the shank in your mouth and then wiping it down with a cloth when you are done for the day. Take a moment to remove your gunk and it won't build up. As for teeth marks, if you're a clencher, softee bits or the equivalent, like surgical grade rubber tubing, are your only options.
Some people find mouth slobber attractive and a +, others don't.

hakchuma · Oct 28, 2015

I only use the rubber bits on my cobs as I actually bit a hole through one of its stems once. I have one rubber bit on my nose warmer. All the rest of my pipes I do not apply the rubber bit because 1) My briar pipes are too big to and heavy to clench, 2) if I didn't care about the appearance of my briar pipes I would not own a briar pipe and would replace all of them with cobs or metal Falcons because those are the true utility pipes that in my opinion function as a pipe should.
Briar pipes are just Jewlry for men anyway, although the most will deny it. True story too.

mso489 · Oct 28, 2015

I have what I consider a few really nice pipes, but I have carefully sought out what I deem great pipes at medium to low prices, rather than amass a rack of only treasures for precisely this reason. Pipes are to be used and enjoyed. I'm not doing an art collection or a museum here. If my teeth wear little notches in the bits, so be it. A little charring at the brim? Okay. Patina on the briar? Magnificent. A well-worn, well-loved pipe is what I'm after, although I defeat myself to some degree by having many pipes, hence using them pretty gently.

jpmcwjr · Oct 28, 2015

Agree with the above, but another alternative is to not clench on that pipe. Just sitting, no need to hold the pipe other than in the hand.

shutterbugg · Oct 28, 2015

Alternatively are there other ways to prevent teeth marks other than using rubber bits?

I like the surgical tube idea, or, here's a novel approach: Hold the pipe with your hand instead of your teeth! But if those aren't acceptible then the next options would be:
1. Stretch your lips inward covering your teeth then clench. Unless you happen to play a double-reed woodwind it might be a little odd at first.
2. Have your teeth replaced with dentures, then remove them to smoke. Your gum tissue will become fibrous enough to clench a pipe but without leaving marks.
3. Undergo psychotherapy to stop obsesssing over a few teeth marks on a pipe stem.
and finally, saving the best for last:
5. Duct tape. That shit's good for everything.

huntertrw · Oct 28, 2015

Here's a little mnemonic device to help you remember Option No. 2 immediately above:
Want no teeth-marks on your stem? Then take your dentures out again!

michaelmirza · Oct 28, 2015

I just clench with my lips, not my teeth. Takes a little practice but then you get used to it.

jvnshr · Oct 28, 2015

My pipes will be piled on and burned with me in my funeral pyre

With or without tobacco?

aggravatedfarmer · Oct 28, 2015

Cosmic's funeral pyre will not have wood stacked, but mixture 79.
Get surgical tubing or softies. I think someday I will refinish my mouthpieces when need be. A pipe is a tool, yes. But even a wrench needs the grease wiped off every once in a while.

cosmicfolklore · Oct 28, 2015

Oh yeh, strict details must be adhered to for placing my cellar around me in the boat. I had once contemplated a pharaoh like tomb with all of my pipes and tobaccos, but I couldn't be sure that my eternity would not be disrupted they build a mini mall over my land after I'm gone. So, pyre it is.
I'm offended at the notion that I might smoke Mixture 79. Ha ha!!

But, I hear it's flavorful!

Methods of Preventing Teeth Marks

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