Bent or Straight Stem?

[OzPiper]

I haven’t done an actual count but I suspect that straights and bents (1/8, 1/4, 1/2 and full) run neck and neck in my herd

I buy pipes based on their looks rather than straight vs bent

I have straights that gurgle. The majority of my bents don’t

Most of my straights are not sitters.
And there are bents that are.




Go with what you like

 

[norddie]

I believe that straight tubes are the best choice for beginners. They are easy to use and less likely to burn your tongue. Bent tubes can be tried later

 

[UB 40]

Lots of bent pipes are sitters. Here's a Peterson 306
I have a Hungarian that sits
Etc.

View attachment 248166

I completely forgot about those creations.

 

[didimauw]

My wimpy jaw prefers bent. They hang easier.

And if I ever get gurgle, I disassemble the pipe mid smoke and fling the moisture out of the stem.

 

[FLDRD]

When it's bent my wife says it's cute; when it's straight she says it's beautiful...

 

[PaulDM]

As a Canadian I really want my next pipe to be a Canadian, I love the look of them, the more wood the better I think. I imagine they probably smoke cooler and dryer because of the extra shank length is that truenin your experience with them?

Can't say with certainty that a Canadian smokes cooler. I am skeptical that a longer pipe does much to cool the smoke. I think overall construction, cadence, packing method etc is much more important. What I do like is that it definitely keeps smoke out of my eyes and I find it very comfortable.

 

[Tate]

Bents taste better on Thursdays after the equinox.

 

[smokeystover]

Went to straights 100% when I was on the road driving for several hours a day. Had too many incidents of smacking a bent pipe into my shoulder and nearly breaking a pipe or teeth when turning my head quickly in traffic.

 

[Gimlet]

Bent for me. Less strain on my teeth and jaw. I tend to set the pipe in my mouth and leave it there, never touching it except to tamp or re-light. Favour a bent apple or Rhodesian. Tried a church warden and nearly knocked my teeth and tonsils out bumping into things.

 

[aztecbull]

Straight for me as I don't like to clench. I also like the aesthetic of a straight pipe more.

 

[anotherbob]

frankly can't really say. There are other things like size of hole that certainly effect draw. Basically if no one can say there is a difference then there isn't a noticeable effect. I say it's more about what's comfortable to you. I like bents more and it's got nothing to do with the draw just like the way it feels.

 

[Gimlet]

Interesting there's so many mentions of gurgling. All my pipes are 9 mm filtered and I don't get any of that. And I rarely take my pipe out of my mouth while smoking it.
I use Dr Pearl charcoal filters. Having tried most of them without, it seems the filter doesn't reduce the flavour in any way. In fact I think the flavour is enhanced because it's not fighting the taste of tar. They just keep it dry and remove any sting. I smoke some quite strong Lakeland flakes and they smoke beautifully smooth.

 

[Gimlet]

frankly can't really say. There are other things like size of hole that certainly effect draw. Basically if no one can say there is a difference then there isn't a noticeable effect. I say it's more about what's comfortable to you. I like bents more and it's got nothing to do with the draw just like the way it feels.

I'm the same. My favourite pipes are a pair of bent apple Savinellis. The mouthpieces are nice and broad. They sit in my mouth and I hardly know they're there. I've got a straightish Vauen with a fairly narrow stem and I can feel that straining my teeth and jaw immediately.

 

[jediofthecode]

I'm the same. My favourite pipes are a pair of bent apple Savinellis. The mouthpieces are nice and broad. They sit in my mouth and I hardly know they're there. I've got a straightish Vauen with a fairly narrow stem and I can feel that straining my teeth and jaw immediately.

Which model ? I have a sav 626 and it's gotta be my favourite pipe by far.

 

[Gimlet]

Which model ? I have a sav 626 and it's gotta be my favourite pipe by far.

I have a 9 mm Tigre 642 (polished) and a 9 mm Miele 642. Lovely pipes. I smoke exclusively GH Best Brown flake in the Tigre and GH Coffee and Caramel in the Miele.

 

[Cloozoe]

Inadvertent post - I'd delete it but don't know how. Pardon.

 

[tracerbullet]

Interesting read. As a newbie I am drawn to the aesthetics of a bent pipe. Lot to learn

 

[RudyG]

My bents gurgle more and have found it to be especially so now that the weather is getting cooler. Keeps reminding me to smoke slower!

Before buying a bent I always see if a pipe cleaner can be run easily down to the bowl, so I know there is a remedy if it starts to gurgle.

 

[The Amish Tyrant]

Bent for sitting, straight for being active.

 

[Bdtroch]

I started with bents simply due to aesthetics; I thought they looked better and I preferred how they felt in my hand.

Now that I’ve got plenty of straights and bents and whatever else shape in my arsenal, I think they all smoke the same in terms of draw.

Wetter stuff tends to favor the bents as does clenching. These days, my bents usually come out when I need movement or activity flexibility or need to read/work. Straights are for my relaxing, sitting, smokes.