Are wood stems clench-able?

[milk]

I see some Zettervig pipes were beautifully carved out of one piece of wood. Do you need those rubber pipe bits to clench comfortably - if you’re a clench-er, that is?

 

[Chasing Embers]

If you're a clencher and not a chomper, yes.

 

[Coreios]

It's like an other stem, if you clench hard then yeah you need a softie.

 

[milk]

It's like an other stem, if you clench hard then yeah you need a softie.

I tend to prefer vulcanite to acrylic. I wonder if wood will seem too hard.

 

[Coreios]

I tend to prefer vulcanite to acrylic. I wonder if wood will seem too hard.

It probably depends on the wood they used.

 

[Chasing Embers]

It probably depends on the wood they used.

Many use briar.

 

[Reggie]

They clench Black and Mild cigars daily.......

 

[milk]

Zettervig has a few very fine looking pipes all carved from one piece of briar. I’m just curious if anyone has had such a pipe and what their experience was. I’ve never tried horn either.

 

[Ahi Ka]

I find horn and full briar stems to feel about the same. Both are softer than vulcanite. I wrap both with a small bit of vinyl friction tape, as I do with any stem material.

 

[milk]

I find horn and full briar stems to feel about the same. Both are softer than vulcanite. I wrap both with a small bit of vinyl friction tape, as I do with any stem material.

Interesting. Ok. I thought they’d be harder. Huh. Thanks.

 

[Chasing Embers]

They clench Black and Mild cigars daily.......

A few big companies as well as artisans have made wood stemmed pipes.

 

[Ahi Ka]

Interesting. Ok. I thought they’d be harder. Huh. Thanks.

I’m just talking about that they feel softer when I’m clenching them. In terms of their properties, or toughness, I’m not sure whether they would be weaker than vulcanite if dropped etc.

 

[milk]

I’m just talking about that they feel softer when I’m clenching them. In terms of their properties, or toughness, I’m not sure whether they would be weaker than vulcanite if dropped etc.

I’m really interested in how they feel, their comfort compared to vulcanite. Clearly, many people like me find acrylic uncomfortable. Others don’t. I’m asking how people who’ve tried briar bits feel about their comfort level.

 

[milk]

A few big companies as well as artisans have made wood stemmed pipes.

View attachment 186825

That’s a beautiful looking pipe.

 

[kcghost]

Agreed, you can clench anything you, but I stick vulcanite or acrylic.

 

[bullet08]

If it's got button, just park it on upper teeth, and rest it on lower lip. No need to bite.

 

[milk]

If it's got button, just park it on upper teeth, and rest it on lower lip. No need to bite.

Yes. I think I worded this post all wrong. My real question is about comfort. There are some old posts about vulcanite vs. acrylic vs. horn vs. briar. People have a lot to say about horn but very few people have tried a briar stem. You can find some beautiful examples of Zettervig briar stems and, as some have pointed out, some contemporary artisans have also used this medium to appealing effect. But how does it compare, is my question? How does it compare in terms of comfort? I’m sorry I didn’t start the thread with the right question. Maybe few people own a pipe with a briar stem.

 

[OzPiper]

Wood and horn get soft when wet.
Wood will definitely absorb saliva.
I've seen a lot of estate pipes with very chewed up wooden and horn stems

Definitely not as durable as vulcanite and less than acrylic.
I'd use a softie bit or silicon tape if you're considering getting one.

 

[milk]

Wood and horn get soft when wet.
Wood will definitely absorb saliva.
I've seen a lot of estate pipes with very chewed up wooden and horn stems

Definitely not as durable as vulcanite and less than acrylic.
I'd use a softie bit or silicon tape if you're considering getting one.

Interesting. I’ve never used those softie bits but I have a pack in a drawer. I didn’t notice a lot of damage on the two Zettervigs that I came across. Maybe a little. However, w/briar, any damage there is doesn’t seem as easily dealt with as vulcanite.

 

[OzPiper]

Interesting. I’ve never used those softie bits but I have a pack in a drawer. I didn’t notice a lot of damage on the two Zettervigs that I came across. Maybe a little. However, w/briar, any damage there is doesn’t seem as easily dealt with as vulcanite.

I use softie bits all the time
I dislike tooth chatter and I find it more comfortable.

I've been known to buy somewhat old and decrepit pipes from time to time.