In browsing around the various pipe porn sites I am addicted to, something finally registered with me that I had not been paying attention to. Radice, as some of you might know, has long offered both Vulcanite and lucite stems. I was vaguely aware that the Vulcanite stems cost more.
However, what got my attention was that, judging from pricing on Al Pascias web site in US $ excluding VAT, the price of Vulcanite (they call it Ebonite) stems is about $40 more than Lucite. Now, I have read somewhere or other that right now Vulcanite rod stock is at a premium to Lucite rod stock, but that much? Is the US pricing difference similar?
Perhaps some of the pipe makers on this forum can weigh in. I have not bought a new Radice in many years, but the ones I have bought had well done hand cut mouthpieces. I have always been under the impression that it took just as much labor to hand cut a stem from one material as the other. For the record, I have had comfortable and uncomfortable mouthpieces made from both materials. But, depending on the price point you are looking at, $40 can be very significant-- a Sand Grain goes from a touch over $150 if memory serves to a tad under $200.
I would note that a higher % of the Al Pascia stock of Radices seem to be Ebonite as compared to the other Italian forum sponsor sites. Perhaps they are catering to a known existing preference of their customers?
However, what got my attention was that, judging from pricing on Al Pascias web site in US $ excluding VAT, the price of Vulcanite (they call it Ebonite) stems is about $40 more than Lucite. Now, I have read somewhere or other that right now Vulcanite rod stock is at a premium to Lucite rod stock, but that much? Is the US pricing difference similar?
Perhaps some of the pipe makers on this forum can weigh in. I have not bought a new Radice in many years, but the ones I have bought had well done hand cut mouthpieces. I have always been under the impression that it took just as much labor to hand cut a stem from one material as the other. For the record, I have had comfortable and uncomfortable mouthpieces made from both materials. But, depending on the price point you are looking at, $40 can be very significant-- a Sand Grain goes from a touch over $150 if memory serves to a tad under $200.
I would note that a higher % of the Al Pascia stock of Radices seem to be Ebonite as compared to the other Italian forum sponsor sites. Perhaps they are catering to a known existing preference of their customers?
