Love the Pipe, Hate the Stem?

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pianopuffer

Can't Leave
Jul 3, 2017
491
140
NYC
So I bought a new Viprati from Cup o' Joes recently, fantastic little smoker. Cool and dry as they come. I'm really enjoying this one. Problem is, the acrylic stem is less than comfortable. It's a tapered stem, but still a bit too thick towards the end, and as I often lunt, it's becoming cumbersome to easily hold. I don't want to sell the pipe for this reason, but what are my options?

I should say that my last resort would be to refit a completely new stem via someone like Briarville. Cost is a consideration in this case. Thanks.
 
Stem is too thick, re-stemming is not an option... How good are you with using tools? Not, like a screw driver, but using files to make alterations to angles and blending in areas back into the original polish?

I have filed down a few stems, made alterations to buttons and such... even made a few stems... but if working with files, sanding, and polishing by hand isn't something that you feel comfortable with, then you may want to consider having it done for you.

It's not exactly rocket science, but one slip, too much pressure, or just hacking through it can lead to bigger problems.

I find acrylic to be very easy to work with, but again you would need a delicate touch. YMMV
 
Last edited:

acidpox

Can't Leave
Nov 18, 2018
460
317
Maybe try to trade in on here for another pipe? Or reshape it yourself as Cosmic suggests
 
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lawdawg

Lifer
Aug 25, 2016
1,792
3,801
Stem is too thick, re-stemming is not an option... How good are you with using tools? Not, like a screw driver, but using files to make alterations to angles and blending in areas back into the original polish?

I have filed down a few stems, made alterations to buttons and such... even made a few stems... but if working with files, sanding, and polishing by hand isn't something that you feel comfortable with, then you may want to consider having it done for you.

It's not exactly rocket science, but one slip, too much pressure, or just hacking through it can lead to bigger problems.

I find acrylic to be very easy to work with, but again you would need a delicate touch. YMMV

I'm curious why re-stemming is not an option? I ask because I have a pipe that I really like the shape and the finish, but the draw is far more restricted than I would like. The draw restriction is in the stem, rather than the stummel - the draught hole in the stummel is pretty wide. It's a bent acrylic stem, so I figured it would likely not be possible to open it up much, and I was thinking of having a new one made.
 
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I'm curious why re-stemming is not an option?
I was going on what he posted...

I should say that my last resort would be to refit a completely new stem via someone like Briarville. Cost is a consideration in this case. Thanks.
It doesn't sound 100% off the table, but I assumed he was fishing for options.
 
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pianopuffer

Can't Leave
Jul 3, 2017
491
140
NYC
Correct Cosmic. Re-stemming is the easiest option but is the most expensive. I don’t have access to many tools here, but maybe finding someone to modify the original acrylic stem might be cheaper?
 

npod

Lifer
Jun 11, 2017
2,942
1,024
I have many Italian pipes (Castello) and almost all of them have horrible thick stems. They are great couch pipes, but definitely not good for clenching or lunting. I had to give up the fight and just live with it.
 

mortonbriar

Lifer
Oct 25, 2013
2,651
5,657
New Zealand
My 2 cents: As it is a 'fantastic little smoker' keep it as it is for a sitting smoke and just use the excuse of still needing a lunting pipe to go looking for another one!

Isaac
 

snagstangl

Lifer
Jul 1, 2013
1,606
768
Iowa, United States
You can always use sandpaper to thin it down, or nail file/ emery board is probably available instead of files. You wont take as much off with those. Or for a $200 pipe you might want to have a professional do it for you.
 

mso489

Lifer
Feb 21, 2013
41,210
60,433
The first few posts have the answer. Plan B is to have a good pipe repairman fix you up with a new stem to your specifications which shouldn't be a huge expense, maybe $30 plus shipping. Plan A is to get yourself some appropriate sandpaper and/or files and trim down the stem and perhaps the bit to your satisfaction. You could get it just right, on your own, which would be most pleasing. But if you file into the airway or just misshape the whole stem, proceed to Plan B.
 
Jul 28, 2016
7,564
36,058
Finland-Scandinavia-EU
I have many Italian pipes (Castello) and almost all of them have horrible thick stems. They are great couch pipes, but definitely not good for clenching or lunting. I had to give up the fight and just live with it.
Same here ,not all of them what I own but some, and then I decided I'm better off leaving them alone, but none of my Castello stem buttons were comparable to horrible Craig Era Ashtons stem button to which I had to make some alteration, with surprisingly great results,
 
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pianopuffer

Can't Leave
Jul 3, 2017
491
140
NYC
Think I'll leave it to the professionals and have it trimmed down. In the meantime, it'll become a sittin' pipe.
 

hauntedmyst

Lifer
Feb 1, 2010
4,006
20,750
Chicago
I'm curious why re-stemming is not an option? I ask because I have a pipe that I really like the shape and the finish, but the draw is far more restricted than I would like. The draw restriction is in the stem, rather than the stummel - the draught hole in the stummel is pretty wide. It's a bent acrylic stem, so I figured it would likely not be possible to open it up much, and I was thinking of having a new one made.


It's possible to open it up. An acrylic stem can be bent just as a vulcanite one can. If you send it to Briarville or another pipe repair place, they should be able to straighten it, open it up and rebend it.

You could even do it yourself.
 
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Chasing Embers

Captain of the Black Frigate
Nov 12, 2014
43,248
108,337
With me it's all or nothing. Stummel and stem have to be what I like or it's a deal breaker.
 

lawdawg

Lifer
Aug 25, 2016
1,792
3,801
It's possible to open it up. An acrylic stem can be bent just as a vulcanite one can. If you send it to Briarville or another pipe repair place, they should be able to straighten it, open it up and rebend it.

You could even do it yourself.

Nice. Thank you for the information.
 
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