Are Some Acrylic Stems Better Than Others?

[RustiePyles CPG]

Ok, well I’m assuming because of these micro fractures, it’s a good enough reason to avoid dipping the pipe cleaner in anything to run through them, and only use dry pipe cleaners through the stems.

I can also say, as long as I’ve been running a dry pipe cleaner occasionally through the stem while smoking, which everyone should be doing, and then after smoking, I’ve not noticed cleaners dipped in anything after smoking, making a better difference, so now I avoid it.

Yeah, if you need to deep clean acrylic good ole soap and water do a pretty good job. Otherwise best to keep chemicals away from it.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Yeah, if you need to deep clean acrylic good ole soap and water do a pretty good job. Otherwise best to keep chemicals away from it.

Whitening toothpaste with a bristle cleaner does wonders for Perspex stems.

 

[Searock Fan]

I’m afraid of learning what a “woodcuck” is, let alone learning about its

Oops! I made a type-0. Should be "woodchuck".

 

[AroEnglish]

Woodchuck, Groundhog, whistle pig, marmot. It's a big ass ground squirrel. View attachment 245046

Lol yeah I figured. I just couldn't help but poke fun at the typo

 

[Terry Lennox]

The best acrylic stems I've had have been from Stanwell. Hand shaped and durable. Shine up with a few passes of a towel to almost new in appearance. But they are not forgiving to the bite, which I'm fine with since I don't clench. I've had others from Brebbia, for example, that got dull and faded but did have more give to the bite. It must depend on the acrylic blend used.

 

[PipeIT]

Can acrylic discolor, especially if you use rubber bits on them?

 

[RustiePyles CPG]

Can acrylic discolor, especially if you use rubber bits on them?

Kind of but not really, it can discolor from heat, or it can develop micro-cracks that will fill up with nast stuff and give a discolored appearance. But acrylic itself will generally not discolor.

 

[Terry Lennox]

The best acrylic stems I've had have been from Stanwell. Hand shaped and durable. Shine up with a few passes of a towel to almost new in appearance. But they are not forgiving to the bite, which I'm fine with since I don't clench. I've had others from Brebbia, for example, that got dull and faded but did have more give to the bite. It must depend on the acrylic blend used.

Correction: Just wanted to come back in here and say those Brebbia stems I thought were acrylic--turns out they are vulcanite after all. No wonder they got dull.

 

[Searock Fan]

I have quite a few Castellos that are over 50 years old and the stems look like new. No rubbing or polishing, just an occasional wiping around the mouth piece with a tissue once in a while.

 

[Sigmund]

SInce the world seems to have turned to acrylic stems I adoped them by using soft bits. I prefer the feel of ebonite but the light sensitivity issue of it makes for unwanted maintenence. It took a brief period to get used to the soft bits but now they are on all my pipes and they all feel the same.

Ive also shoped the cheaper italian makes and the stem work appears a little suspect to me. However, Id be happy to be proven wrong since I have no real experience with them.