Do You Dislike a Certain Stem Material?

[jewman22]

As the title says, is there a particular stem material you dislike for any reason and why.

I myself dislike Vulcanite for the simple reason that is oxidation.
I bought a NOS Brebbia last year from the 80s that was really shiny, but after a year of sitting on the rack and only being smoked maybe a dozen times it is starting to oxidize. Pisses me off.
Acrylic for me from now on.

 

[cragdhack]

Though I haven't much experience with vulcanites (as I've only had mine for a couple weeks now), I believe one has to periodically give it a rub with mineral oil, even if racked, from what I've read. After I finish with that particular pipe, I go through the regular cleaning, then give the stem a thorough rub with a paper towel and foodsafe, unscented mineral oil, trying not to touch it anymore until I smoke it again.

It doesn't take that long and you can buy the stuff for pennies at a pharmacy. There are special products too for this, if you're so inclined.

(I'm aware there are more dedicated people that go through very heavy maintenance processes with their vulcanite stems, using various kinds of cloths, obsidian stem oil and I am sure that sort of treatment will keep such a stem oxidation free for a very long time, but I doubt basic, periodic cleaning and treatment will disappointl)

To be strictly on topic, I have to say I prefer the mouth feel of vulcanite, so far. I do expect some chatter marks to appear eventually, but I guess that comes with the hobby. Stem goes in my mouth, not on display, so I don't really care about that minute sort of a visual detail.

 

[elnoblecigarro]

Only vulcanite for me. I dislike everything else.

 

[OzPiper]

There are different grades of vulcanite, except that when you buy a pipe, it is seldom stated what you are getting.

Some producers do make a point of stating they use higher quality German vulcanite. Kudos to them

On the weekend I reached for a Pete which was bought new, ans smoked no more than twice. It's kept at all times in a cupboard with the rest of my pipes. Stem starting to oxidise. ? It was one of the higher grade Petes, so a mark against Pete.

Luckily 10minutes with some toothpaste and paper towels followed with an oil rub has it looking better. It may need a bit more work on it before I'm satisfied.

Most of my pipes are estates with vulcanite stems. The majority are pre-70s and a substantial number are centenarians. I don't seem to have much oxidation problems with these oldies, once I get rid of the initial oxidation (when the pipes arrive). Perhaps the vulcanite used then was better in quality.

Quite a few members have a oreference for vulcanite over acrylic. I have quite a few with Amber/Redmanol/Bakelite stems or orific buttons. I use softy bits on almost all my pipes so I'm not overly concerned with how soft or how thin the button is.

 

[anotherbob]

As the title says, is there a particular stem material you dislike for any reason and why.

I myself dislike Vulcanite for the simple reason that is oxidation.
I bought a NOS Brebbia last year from the 80s that was really shiny, but after a year of sitting on the rack and only being smoked maybe a dozen times it is starting to oxidize. Pisses me off.
Acrylic for me from now on.

I mostly agree.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Vulcanite and juma are my go to stems. Acrylic is painful and very few makers produce a comfortable acrylic stem excluding IMP.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I myself dislike Vulcanite for the simple reason that is oxidation.

Easy to fix.

 

[Bluemonter]

Vulcanite and plastic for me.

Acrylic is brutal on my teeth. Especially while bouncing around on the tractor, trying to enjoy a bowl...

Worst of all though are my beloved clays.
Those are relegated to a non clenching smoke.

 

[paulfg]

Vulcanite all day long for me.
i am trying to like my newly aquired castello;s but the acrylic stems put me off a bit

 

[falconsmoker]

I detest vulcanite stems and the Sulphur taste an oxidized stem imparts to the smoke. No vulcanite today!

 

[solideogloria86]

Vulcanite for me. I've never used a softy bit and don't really like the idea, though I'm not absolutely opposed. If I had any pipes left with acrylic stems that I absolutely loved, I may give the softy bits a try. But, for now all of my pipe window shopping has been strictly focused on vulcanite. Acrylic is too hard to be comfortable to me.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I prefer vulcanite, but that doesn't necessarily translate into me hating other stem material. I probably wouldn't be crazy about stainless steel stems, but since there aren't any, no worries.

I like vulcanite because it is softer on my teeth. I have horn stems, which are also much easier on my teeth. Acrylic, and amber also, but just not as crazy about those. The feel of them on my teeth just strikes nerves, like chewing aluminum foil. But, I still smoke those occasionally, just not my everyday clenchers.

 

[Duck]

There're few things worse than a clay stem sticking to your lips. I don't like the ones where the mouthpiece has been dipped in paint either. There's no pleasing me.

 

[mingc]

I dislike vulcanite for the same reason as the OP. It tarnishes and ruins expensive pipes.

 

[saltedplug]

I never cleaned a stem; through ignoring them and procrastination, the problem went away.

 

[burleybreath]

It's a trade-off, so I don't have a preference. Vulcanite oxidizes, but feels better. Acrylic feels too hard and will snap off easily if the pipe is dropped just right,* but looks pretty. Whatcha gonna do?

* Three times for me. How about you?

 

[burleybreath]

I never cleaned a stem; through ignoring them and procrastination, the problem went away.

Oh, so correct, Mr. Plug. That's my m.o. all the way!

 

[saltedplug]

I always aspired to cleaning my stems. I knew I would like them black and shiny but not enough to do anything about it. Plus, if I looked at anything it was the bowl.

 

[telescopes]

easy to solve the problem of acrylics- don’t bite so hard.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

easy to solve the problem of acrylics- don’t bite so hard.

I don't bite down at all. It is merely touching them to my teeth that creates a nerve ending sensation, like when your teeth accidentally brushes against a fork or spoon. It's an old person thing. YMMV