It's more expensive. German rods are very high quality but also fairly expensive for large use.
Acrylic Stems vs Vulcanite Stems: A Comparison
- Thread starter PipeSmokingDude
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I slightly prefer high quality acrylic for ease of use, but the quality can vary wildly. Savinelli’s acrylic stems are my favorite by far. The huge caveat from my perspective though, is that I’ve never experienced super high quality vulcanite. I have an unsmoked Weber around here somewhere with the same vulcanite that Embers just posted above but I haven’t tried it yet.
I don't clench the pipe so I have no need for the softer vulcanite. I prefer the no hassle maintenance of acrylic. Having said that I own and buy pipes with both types of stems.
I don’t own any acrylic but I’m curious what the difference is between cheap acrylic and high grade acrylic. Does high grade finely crafted acrylic feel better? Is there any way to describe the difference?
I just acquired a family era Barling. This really blows my other English factory pipes out of the water. Even Dunhill doesn’t seem quite as good but I’m not sure why. It’s comfortable but very solid-feeling.
I just acquired a family era Barling. This really blows my other English factory pipes out of the water. Even Dunhill doesn’t seem quite as good but I’m not sure why. It’s comfortable but very solid-feeling.
Some of my estate Pete's can be horrid for discoloring, but not all of them. I'm not sure if it's the abuse they were put through before coming to me or different quality for different years / decades. I've found the newer ones seem to be better so far... I have a Dunmore that I like but the taste from the stem is horrid; I've not really invested time into trying to correct it though.
I reckon it's a combination of age, abuse and quality of the vulcanite. I have a couple of very old pipes where there's almost no sulphur in the rubber. Nice shiny black. Some seem to discolor just looking at them.
All my vulcanite stems are fine. I have Charatans, Sasienis, Comoy’s, Dunhill, etc. I rub lip-balm into them after every use. No problems. However, some will scuff.
I never heard or thought about the quality of acrylic. I assumed the acrylic plastic was the same for all manufacturers. Thanks for posting this.
Who is using it? Can you explain what it is exactly? Is it an expensive material for pipe makers?
It's a thermoplastic used for knife handles. Comes in a variety of colors and has vulcanite softness without oxidizing. Primarily artisan use.
Though it also comes in many patterns, my favorite are the scales.
It would be interesting to see a factory pipe come out with it, though cost may be prohibitive.
These are sensations that you notice by touching it, like car dashboards: they are all made of plastic, but the difference in quality between the dashboard of an expensive car and that of a cheap car is immediately noticeable.
The better quality acrylic (methacrylate) is harder and more resistant to tooth scratches. Castello certainly uses a very good quality acrylic, but since it is harder, many find it uncomfortable.
Juma is about 30% heavier by volume than vulcanite, the best "black" they can get out of it is a very dark gray, and it doesn't stay bent if bent past 30 degrees or so (slowly straightens over time).
If you like the colors it comes in, don't mind the weight and/or the pipe has a small stem in relation to the stummel, and it's straight or nearly so, it's a good choice.
If you like the colors it comes in, don't mind the weight and/or the pipe has a small stem in relation to the stummel, and it's straight or nearly so, it's a good choice.