Yes, but it's processed rubber, and not always made with natural rubber either. In fact, I read in some places that these days, the majority is made with synthetic plastics. Without the market caring much to elaborate on the composition of Vulcanite used, I rather just put it in the "do not eat" category. Besides, it's processed with sulfur, and the whole compound slowly breaks down. I realise a lot of people have been using it for many years, but that doesn't mean it wouldn't be better not to.
1st pipe, need to know pros/cons of types
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The "plastic" you are referring to, or at least what I think you're referring to would be the pipe stem. Which in most cases is actually made of natural rubber through the process of vulcanization. Thus it's name, vulcanite. And the stem material is usually specified when purchasing a pipe. It's renewable to some extent. So not entirely bad if that's your concern. The wood of course is as natural as it gets 
Edit: Lol I probably should have refreshed the page before posting. Looks like someone beat me to it :-P
Edit: Lol I probably should have refreshed the page before posting. Looks like someone beat me to it :-P
I understand, but finding a forum about herbal smoking would lead me to 90% being about cannabis and the other 10% being about new-age spiritual trips and rituals. My pipe preferences are all about the tobacco-burning instruments as well. I imagine a vessel designed for burning tobacco can easily burn other plants, no?
On this I must disagree. Some substances are inherently (chemically) addictive, and some become emotionally addictive if used by someone improperly. Some people such as yourself can use an addictive substance and not be overcome by it, sure. Many others cannot, and I simply don't want to tempt it.
This whole thread is killing me. If what you seek is a natural, inexpensive pipe, go with clay or cob. If what you seek is quality and durability, go with briar. If what you seek is elegance and art, go with meerschaum. You cant win em all. Especially not for 60 bucks.
Yes, but if the Vulcanite is made with natural rubber, it still contains sulfur, which upon gradual breakdown of the compound, must be released and is most certainly not a health benefit, at the least. I would like a pipe with a wooden stem, or stone, or clay, or horn. Also, although it is a minor part, the tenon is usually made with Delrin. All that aside, I much prefer the look of a continuous stem, or at least a wooden one even if it isn't continuous (and the feel of wood).
If the OP wants to avoid plastic, rubber, Vulcanite, Lucite, then I think he has only two options: a 100% clay pipe or an antique meerschaum with a genuine amber stem. Of those two, the only one that fits his/her budget is the clay.
So there you have it: Your only option is a clay.
http://www.pipeshoppe.com/ps_clay.php
Bob
So there you have it: Your only option is a clay.
http://www.pipeshoppe.com/ps_clay.php
Bob
Ha, I was thinking the same thing.
As for your comment that vulcanite is processed, then you should probably be aware that everything is processed. Clay must be processed to make it into a vessel suitable for smoking, briar must be processed, meerschaum must be processed, pretty much every single product you buy is processed to some degree.
Ok, I got it, check out the Auckland line from Vauen. They are modeled after the Lord of the Rings pipes. Briar bowls, wooden stems, long churchwarden type shapes. Not 60 bucks though.
purplemotoman wrote:
palehorse wrote:
You’ve received information from people who have smoked pipes for years and a plethora of good information, but yet you seem to turn it all down. It seems to me you’ve pretty much made up your mind.
Very similar.
palehorse wrote:
Then don’t... pretty simple eh?
You’ve received information from people who have smoked pipes for years and a plethora of good information, but yet you seem to turn it all down. It seems to me you’ve pretty much made up your mind.
"it still contains sulfur, which upon gradual breakdown of the compound, must be released and is most certainly not a health benefit, at the least."
But sulfur is 100% natural.
The fact is that smoking anything is not 100% "healthy." There are always risks involved. So given your extreme concerns about some of the minutia involved in pipe smoking, it seems like you would best off not smoking anything at all.
Bob
But sulfur is 100% natural.
The fact is that smoking anything is not 100% "healthy." There are always risks involved. So given your extreme concerns about some of the minutia involved in pipe smoking, it seems like you would best off not smoking anything at all.
Bob
I was only hoping for some references to other pipemakers (besides the one posted) who use natural materials in the stem of their wooden pipes. Or other sources of cool, odd, or one-off pipes. I really didn't want to have a discussion over what is a natural material or whether synthetic compounds are indeed detrimental to your health or any other similar thing. I also feel as though I'm pulling teeth. Just forget about what I plan to smoke in it for now, since it seems to be an offense, and accept that I don't like plastic without trying to defend it. I don't care if everyone else is OK with plastic and wants to use it - that's fine.
Usually there's a breaking-in period on a forum where people just assume you're at a complete lack of information, which is fine especially considering I stated my lack of experience, but most of the people responding seem to not want to give information, but instead argue their points against my preferences because they've got other preferences. I'm trying really hard to remain congenial in light of all that, and appreciate the information I have received.
Edit: I see there have been about ten posts since I began writing this one, so give me a bit to look into them.
Please refer to Rule #7:Off-topic, E-cig, Hookah Posts
7. Discussion of electronic cigarettes, or any other electronic nicotine delivery device is forbidden. These items have NOTHING to do whatsoever with the true pipe smoking experience. If you want to talk about these items, you are in the wrong place. That goes for Hookah too. Hookahs are the wine coolers of the tobacco world, and they also have nothing to do with the true tobacco pipe smoking experience. Again, if you want to discuss them, please find another website to do so.
7. Discussion of electronic cigarettes, or any other electronic nicotine delivery device is forbidden. These items have NOTHING to do whatsoever with the true pipe smoking experience. If you want to talk about these items, you are in the wrong place. That goes for Hookah too. Hookahs are the wine coolers of the tobacco world, and they also have nothing to do with the true tobacco pipe smoking experience. Again, if you want to discuss them, please find another website to do so.
Point made, I appreciate your frustration. I'm not sure about stone or whatever, but if you want a clay pipe made in the traditional manner, check out the pipeshoppe's site. Also check out virginiacobs' site for traditionally made corncobs.
Beat me to it, Bob.
The minute you set anything on fire, it's going to release chemical compounds, several of which are potentially carcinogenic. If the OP is worried about sulfur leaching out of a Vulcanite mouthpiece, how much more sulfur is he going to ingest while striking matches? Not to mention the petrochemicals found in lighter fluid and/or butane...
I sincerely hope that this is not received in the wrong way but frankly I am finding this thread a little ridiculous.
I am not sure what more could be recommended to you. As bittner above said. Seems to me as if smoking is not for you. As perhaps are most things in the modern world.
Anyhow, I hope you find whatever it is you are looking for. Just not completely sure you are going to find it here.
I am not sure what more could be recommended to you. As bittner above said. Seems to me as if smoking is not for you. As perhaps are most things in the modern world.
Anyhow, I hope you find whatever it is you are looking for. Just not completely sure you are going to find it here.
"or anything other than a tobacco pipe"
Your very first post in this thread featured a link to an herbal mixture and asked for opinions about that. You also made it clear that you weren't interested in smoking tobacco. Yet that's entirely why this site exists, why pipe/tobacco retailers support it with advertising, and why so many of us are so passionately devoted to it.
We're normally a pretty welcoming bunch for folks who are curious about or interested in joining the fraternity of pipe smokers. But I think you got off on the wrong foot by a) stating you didn't want to smoke tobacco in a pipe, and b) stating that you wanted a pipe free of virtually everything that makes a tobacco pipe a tobacco pipe.
Again, given your very limiting criteria, your only option is a clay.
And I definitely need to stop posting responses to this thread. . .
Your very first post in this thread featured a link to an herbal mixture and asked for opinions about that. You also made it clear that you weren't interested in smoking tobacco. Yet that's entirely why this site exists, why pipe/tobacco retailers support it with advertising, and why so many of us are so passionately devoted to it.
We're normally a pretty welcoming bunch for folks who are curious about or interested in joining the fraternity of pipe smokers. But I think you got off on the wrong foot by a) stating you didn't want to smoke tobacco in a pipe, and b) stating that you wanted a pipe free of virtually everything that makes a tobacco pipe a tobacco pipe.
Again, given your very limiting criteria, your only option is a clay.
And I definitely need to stop posting responses to this thread. . .
EBay. There are pipes listed almost every day made from stone and other materials. As for custom work commissioned to order for $60, you're about 40 years too late for that pricepoint.
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