Acrylic Stems vs Vulcanite Stems: A Comparison

[telescopes]

Charatan’s Make - from my experience as well as others, used terrible vulcanite. The briar was excellent however. James Upshall could have paid better attention to their stems as well. On the other hand, my first and second generation Lees, older Kaywoodies, and Dunhills all seem to be easy to clean and stay nice and black. My understanding is much of the quality has to do with sulpher content.

 

[Bassman65]

Like them both. Although, as mentioned, vulcanite is more work if you treat it with oils etc. No give with acrylic, but doesn’t usually bother me on most stems. That being said, I have an acrylic stemmed pipe that I do find uncomfortable to clench. It has a really weird kinda rounded bit. Depends on the pipe I guess.

Easiest on the teeth I find are the MM cob plastic stems. They look like a chewed up dog’s breakfast after a while however, so I just replace them. They’re pretty cheap.

 

[Roach1]

I prefer acrylic for ease. I have pipes also with vulcanite which I myself have sucessfully restored. If I can do it any can. I just used sandpaper and Savinelli stem polish.

 

[FLDRD]

Fellow pipe smokers,

I don’t have the slightest clue when it comes to acrylic vs vulcanite stems, which is why I’m appealing to you fine gentlemen who posses both the knowledge and experience when it comes to both.

I am in shopping mode for a nice briar and so far I am leaning towards a Peterson (yes, I am biased towards Irish pipes ) but my biggest question having never had a vulcanite stem is how well they compare to an acrylic one?

I do apologize in advance but I’ve only started smoking pipes less than 3 months ago and as me mum likes to call me I am a “city boy”.

If you're looking for a Peterson pipe, I'd recommend actually trying their system standard with a P-lip, so you can get the full effect of his creation as intended.
Nearly all of the Peterson estate pipes on smokingpipes will have a vulcanite stem. The new version of the system standard have acrylic P-lip stems.
Hope that helps as you decide.

 

[antonine]

I agree with @FLDRD—if you're going to buy a Peterson, you owe it to yourself to at least try a System!

 

[jpmcwjr]

I am indifferent between the two, with a slight preference to high quality Vulcanite.

 

[sablebrush52]

I'm agnostic on the topic, with no preference regarding material, just quality of material. As George said, both acrylic and vulcanite stems come in different qualities, with different characteristics. George has made me stems from a high grade acrylic, formulated to have a little "give" that are as comfortable as any of my vulcanite stems, and my vulcanite stems are largely high quality German rod stock.

 

[nick24601]

If your getting a p-lip I'd strongly recommend a vulcanite. The acrylic one feels frigging horrible by comparison

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

Definitely , stems with High grade vulcanite (Dunhills)are pretty easy in maintenance and are much more prone to oxidation than mediocre regular vulcanite stems.the worst what I have come across are older Savinellis with their vulcanite stems,

 

[Sig]

I MUCH prefer Vulcanite/Ebonite to Acrylic. More comfortable and no clicking clack.
As far as maintenance......

A: I can keep Vulcanite looking good.
B: I don't care if my stem turns brown.

 

[Grangerous]

If the shape is right, I prefer acrylic. No chatter. No maintenance. Always looks great.

But a poorly shaped, hard acrylic stem is a hard clench.

 

[Steddy]

You’ll probably end up with both at some point. Then you might have a preference. Then that preference might change.

For me vulcanite is fussy and I deal with enough fussy at work.

I like Cosmic’s idea of wiping with a jewelry cloth. Sounds much easier than the olive oil I use.

 

[filmguerilla]

I’m a bit of a Pete geek and would happily trade all my vulcanite stems for acrylic. That said, I’ve only had one vulcanite stem noticeably oxidize and it was an easy restore. Of course, I’m not a clencher, so there’s that…

 

[bullet08]

I prefer vulcanite stems. It's not that big of a deal, and it's not that big of a difference. But vulcanite is definitely more comfortable. Having said that, it's not a show stopper. But I definitely noticed that I smoke vulcanite more than acrylic.

 

[spike]

I much prefer acrylic, and the best acrylic I’ve come across is the Perspex on old GBDs. They’re a pain in the ass to clean, but very comfortable.

 

[Hillcrest]

Vulcanite is generally more comfortable but requires occasional cleaning and polishing. Acrylic is harder but virtually maintenance free. If its a big bulky stem go with vulcanite. If its a normal or thinner stem go with acrylic. I say that because my Pete Pub pipe acrylic P-Lip stem is a tad bulky and cumbersome while my Vauen Olaf acrylic fishtail stem is thinner and the most comfortable of all of my pipes. Just 2 cents adjusted for current inflation ! Good Luck !

 

[Uguccione]

The best stem I own is from an Upshall pipe purchased new on their ebay store about 8 years ago. It's soft like ebonite but after all these years it's still black, shiny and doesn't release any bad taste (the real limit of ebonite).
I still haven't figured out what material it is, it reminds me of the caps of Bic pens that I used to chew at school during lessons.

 

[Doctor Chopper]

$.02 - I don't really care, but mildly prefer Acrylic because my eye tooth marks up pipes quickly.

The only stems that cause me any problems and require high maintenance are my Pete's. They discolor very quickly for me. Does anyone else notice this with the Pete's or is it just me?

 

[Chasing Embers]

it's still black, shiny and doesn't release any bad taste (the real limit of ebonite).

It's all about sulphur content of the rubber. To my knowledge, this patent era Dr. Grabow Linkman's pipe (1930s) has never had oxidation. I've had it for many years now and the stem is still as black as the day I got it.


Same with this Weber from the 1950s. The stem stamping barely has any damage from the past 70 years.

 

[Uguccione]

and the stem is still as black as the day I got it.

But if such an ebonite exists, why isn't it always used?