Alternatives to Softie Bits.

[Franco Pipenbeans]

I like the comfort that a Softie Bit offers the teeth but I find them too thick and normally take them off after a while.

Has anyone got any recommendations to get a similar smoking experience without them?

I’ve tried electrical tape but that turned into a gooey mess and would need replacing regularly I think.

 

[mso489]

Vulcanite stems are softer than acrylic, so that helps a little, bearing in mind that the staff that give specs on online sites don't always know the difference and report that incorrectly. This has happened twice to me; the pipes have been light weight, so i haven't complained.

I wouldn't use electric tape. It's not food grade and is probably not to be ingested.

It wouldn't look good, but medical tape might be less dubious and at least less thick and "juicy."

Likewise, medical tubing cut into softy bits might be more sterile and suitable for the purpose. Some people do this just to save money.

 

[ofafeather]

Friction tape works pretty well. Sometimes it stays and sometimes not but there is no adhesive, it just sticks to itself. Today I put a bit of superglue on the end on stuck it to itself and it is fantastic.

 

[isaac]

I like the comfort that a Softie Bit offers the teeth but I find them too thick and normally take them off after a while.

Has anyone got any recommendations to get a similar smoking experience without them?

I’ve tried electrical tape but that turned into a gooey mess and would need replacing regularly I think.

I just ordered some softy bits from their site. When I received them, they are much thinner than what I had purchased in the store. If they are embossed with their name, I would say that maybe up your ally.

 

[das3353]

Dry vinyl tape. Like electrical tape without the adhesive. It sticks to itself.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00823GUP6/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_4M68812AQYGJFRNNDF91?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

 

[jdb67]

All of my pipes have this and it is the best thing I have ever used. It is a food-grade, thick heat shrink.

Insultab HS-614 1/2 Blk 6

 

[ray47]

I've used 3/8 inch latex tubing which I've found works better then the softie bits. I bought mine from a local hardware store.

 

[frozenchurchwarden]

Dry vinyl tape. Like electrical tape without the adhesive. It sticks to itself.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00823GUP6/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_4M68812AQYGJFRNNDF91?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

I tried some TC790 Vinyl tape a few months ago and it's a game changer for clenching.
Your teeth get way more grip, and without leaving marks, and the button remains thin.

 

[ashdigger]

Now that the impractical suggestions have been weighed in.

Here’s what I find useful. Pool Noodles.

They are affordable and a great solution to those super thin stem.

 

[WNCLEE28466]

Agreeing with another forum member, electrical heat shrink wrap is the best. Not too thick, secure and in black of course, but also in white & other colors for different colored bits...LeRoy

 

[romaso]

I like the comfort that a Softie Bit offers the teeth but I find them too thick

The Chinese pipe bits are thinner than the BJ Longs, also come in two sizes. This is the last batch I got. You can probably find them on Amazon UK or ebay.

https://www.amazon.com/Rubber-Tobacco-Pipe-Grips-Small/dp/B07MXP69ZZ/

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

I've been using the dry vinyl friction tape for a couple of years now. Works well for me.

 

[Franco Pipenbeans]

Vulcanite stems are softer than acrylic, so that helps a little, bearing in mind that the staff that give specs on online sites don't always know the difference and report that incorrectly. This has happened twice to me; the pipes have been light weight, so i haven't complained.

I wouldn't use electric tape. It's not food grade and is probably not to be ingested.

It wouldn't look good, but medical tape might be less dubious and at least less thick and "juicy."

Likewise, medical tubing cut into softy bits might be more sterile and suitable for the purpose. Some people do this just to save money.

I’m having issues with oxidised vulcanite stems at the moment. I agree, they are great when they are clean and aren’t brown and tasting like the Seven Circles of Hell.

 

[Franco Pipenbeans]

I just ordered some softy bits from their site. When I received them, they are much thinner than what I had purchased in the store. If they are embossed with their name, I would say that maybe up your ally.

I was having an issue getting the branded ones in the U.K - the bits were cheap enough to order from the U.S but the postage was ridiculous when you take the weight of what is being posted into account.
The ones available here are too thick, it feels like you’re smoking the business end of a baseball bat sometimes.

 

[Franco Pipenbeans]

Dry vinyl tape. Like electrical tape without the adhesive. It sticks to itself.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00823GUP6/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_4M68812AQYGJFRNNDF91?_encoding=UTF8&psc=

thank you, I’ll check it out. ??

 

[Franco Pipenbeans]

I've been using the dry vinyl friction tape for a couple of years now. Works well for me.

Do you have a brand name to search for? I’ve just had a look for “dry vinyl friction tape” online and it brought up: audio tape, vinyl upholstery tape, adhesive for rugs, sound deadening tape and some music by a band called “Dry Cleaning 12” tapes”.

 

[scloyd]

Bondage tape. Who remembers that fun thread from a few years ago?

 

[sandollars]

I like the comfort that a Softie Bit offers the teeth but I find them too thick and normally take them off after a while.

Has anyone got any recommendations to get a similar smoking experience without them?

I’ve tried electrical tape but that turned into a gooey mess and would need replacing regularly I think.

Shrink tubing works very well on pipes you want to protect but don't want to give up the thin feel of the stem. It lasts and lasts and adds no funky flavors.

 

[brian64]

Do you have a brand name to search for? I’ve just had a look for “dry vinyl friction tape” online and it brought up: audio tape, vinyl upholstery tape, adhesive for rugs, sound deadening tape and some music by a band called “Dry Cleaning 12” tapes”.

https://www.amazon.com/TapeCase-TC790-Vinyl-Tape-Conformability/dp/B00823GUP6/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1LEFT25BI09S8&keywords=dry+vinyl+tape&qid=1649951349&sprefix=dry+vin%2Caps%2C202&sr=8-3

 

[brian64]

https://www.amazon.com/TapeCase-TC790-Vinyl-Tape-Conformability/dp/B00823GUP6/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1LEFT25BI09S8&keywords=dry+vinyl+tape&qid=1649951349&sprefix=dry+vin%2Caps%2C202&sr=8-3

Oops...looks like that link was to the adhesive version by mistake....below is the non-adhesive......but I'm only seeing 3" size on there right now. You may have to look around for narrower rolls.

https://www.amazon.com/TapeCase-TC790-Vinyl-Tape-Conformability/dp/B00823GV3W/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1QWAOD2CN8VQ0&keywords=non-adhesive+dry+vinyl+tape&qid=1649969269&sprefix=non-adhesive+dry+vinyl+tape%2Caps%2C204&sr=8-3