Bent Or Straight? Your Opinions

[jah76]

Bent. Unless I'm driving. I have no idea why but straight pipes are easier for me to drive with.

 

[dervis]

When I started it was only bents. 10ish years in I have 3 times straight to bent. Don't know why the change but it obviously happened.

 

[rigmedic1]

The head count is 44 bent, 38 straight and 2 churchwardens in my stable. Guess I go both ways :rofl:

 

[guhrillastile]

I smoke both. But all depends on the setting. Mood dictates demand...Hahaha and sometimes vice versa.

 

[ssjones]

I REALLY want to enjoy a straight pipe, but for some reason, they always end up leaving my rack. So, I finally gave up. I have one straight pipe, a wonderful smoking GBD Seventy-Six Bulldog. When I see a ODA shaped billiard, I so much want to enjoy them. (like Peck's recent Rad purchase) I'm not so much a clencher, but a drooper (???) and bents seem to hang more comfortably that way.

 

[mobeasto123]

Both are really useful from what I know as I'm still a newbie. When I sit down have a time relax I find that the bent style pipe fit really well in my hand and I can puff without any problem. I would say the bent is more natural when you are sitting. I prefer the straight for every other situation as I can hold it better in my mouth without holding it with my hands. but to each it's won preference
David

 

[estumpf]

I like them both.

 

[jonahtke]

I tend to lean towards strait's myself, since I'm not a clencher and like to gesture with my pipe while I'm holding it. Although in my recent PAD browsing I've found myself lingering on several bent shapes as well.

 

[latbomber]

I like both but probably prefer bent just because I like having a good view of the tobacco when im lighting.

 

[timely]

Have both and like them both, but I will say that smoking a bent while reading is easier for me. I notice no difference in smoking quality between the two. And yes, some bents can be a pain to clean.

 

[chagovatoloco]

I ONLY collect Peterson system pipes, full bent. I will buy others but only so sell make money and purchase more Peterson system pipes. I guess I'm a little compulsive.

 

[cigrmaster]

I like both but not a fan of full bent. I prefer a 1/8 to 1/4 for my bents. I can get away with a heavier pipe in a bent but prefer pipes under 50 grams for straight. In terms of cleaning the straights are of course easier, but my bents are really not a big deal. In terms of smoking I do not see a difference in terms of the quality of smoke I get.

 

[hogfoot]

The matter is mostly aesthetical to me. My first favourite pipe was a bent, now it is a straight. Ordered my meer bent though. As others have said, the bent is more comfortable to use when the hands are occupied as they are not as heavy to clench with the center of gravity being moved closer to the mouth. Straights are easier to swab, though bents are easier to light (seeing as one can see the tobacco).
They are only minor differences, and as a result aesthetics decide what I purchase and my mood what I smoke, far more than any practical concerns.

 

[lordofthepiperings]

I like 'em both but I have more bents than straights. I do think every pipe collection should contain at least one classy straight billiard.

 

[decigar]

I like bents but they are harder to run a pipe cleaner through. I'm still a newbie and make newbie mistakes like trying to smoke every last piece of tobacco in the bowl. On straight pipes I've had hot burning ash shoot to the back of my throat. Not on a bent pipes or maybe I just learned my lesson not to smoke it all the way down =)

 

[oklansas]

I'm a fan of straights - esp. featherweight ones. For my bigger pipes, I tend to favor half-bents - that are closer to the straight size. But, then again, one of my favorite pipes is a full bent volcano - so my love of straights is likely more of an aesthetic choice.
However, my wife likes full-bents, so who knows.
They're all great when they smoke well.

 

[juozapas]

It's easier to clean a straight pipe ..

 

[uberam3rica]

I like both, but I prefer a straight pipe

 

[javajunkie]

Try one of each for yourself! Most of what you will get is opinion based on aesthetic, in which case outside opinion will be kinda useless to you. I think the most important thing is how any particular pipe smokes for you, in your own smoking habits, with your preferred tobaccos.
FWIW, I started with a fixation on half to full bent, and am coming around to enjoy full straight pipes. I so far have bents that can hang better, and some that cannot. I have straights that can pass a cleaner easier, and some that cannot.. Mostly, I have eighteen pipes that I am enjoying the process of learning about, how each smokes and what tonaccos each performs best with. It is taking me some time, but I am enjoying the journey. o)

 

[drwatson]

Its a little bit like asking blonde or brunette! Everyone has a favorite. I have both and like them both. There are also semi bents too! As for me I'll take the redhead and a semi bent!! ::