Bent Stems More Comfortable?

[seadogontheland]

All I have to say is "get bent!"

 

[tarak]

I'm a big fan of quarter bent. Love how they look, and how they feel.

 

[briarguys]

Bent stems are by far my favorite for clenching.

 

[phil67]

Slight bend is my niche. I seriously doubt I could tolerate something like an Oom Paul as I like the option to have the ability to easily pass a pipe cleaner thorough the stem easily if the need arises. Which, by the way, is also why I dislike filters (amongst other PITA issues).

 

[maxx]

I've got a Bent Bulldog and a Billiard (Peterson B5 and 106). I don't clench. The B5 is more comfortable in my hand.

 

[sparrowhawk]

A straight Cayuga shell grain sandblast is remarkably easy to clutch: I attribute this to the oil curing which opens up the grain and results in a lighter pipe. And Chasingembers, you don't own a single straight pipe? PM me and let's see what we can do about that. That's almost a heresy!

 

[settersbrace]

When I'm seated and reading I like a bent pipe. It's comfy and allows me to smoke hands free. A very light Lovat or Zulu will also clench well for me and I'm starting appreciate the saddle bit over the taper more recently as well.

 

[newbroom]

I'm starting appreciate the saddle bit over the taper more recently as well.

Agreed. The saddle allows for you to close your mouth easier while clenching, and to get more support from your lips.

 

[buroak]

newbroom, The stem on your Yello Bole brylon pipe may be nylon. I wonder if that would explain the result of your attempt to bend that stem.

 

[gloucesterman]

I find saddle bit, short shank, bent authors, apples and Rhodies are my favorite clinchers. It's all about leverage. The longer the lever the more force it exerts. The broad flat surface of the saddle spreads the weight and the bend brings the bowl closer in reducing the leverage exerted by its weight. Quarter bents seem to work best for me. You get the advantage of the bend without the cleaning difficulty of a sharply turned stem.

 

[av8scuba]

I do a lot of outside work, fishing, and hunting. So I mostly am a clencher. I too prefer bents as they seem to take a little weight off my teeth/jaw. They also tend to not get in my way when working.
::

 

[okiescout]

Bents for me. I think some strait pipes look cool, but I just really like a 1/4 bent.

 

[jamesrsmithjr]

MSO489 hit the nail... "It's simple leverage", 'specially for us with dentures.