Can a Replacment Stem Cause a Gurgling Mess?

[isaac]

Title edited for capitalization and brevity.

I had a replacment stem made for a Baki. I decided to go the route of ebonite. Now this was my best smoking english pipe. Affter receiving the pipe back, i noticed the bowl would ofter gurgle. Quick pipe cleaner down the stem would alleviate it, but it didnt occur on the original stem. I would assume it is attributed to the new stem. Is there a work around to this issue? I cant or should i say I wont be using the services of the maker of the stem, so sending it back isnt really an option.

 

[edger]

Peterson tapers the channel in the stems on their system pipes in order to “extract” moisture into the well. Perhaps the channel is too narrow?

 

[warren]

How many bowls have you smoked utilizing the new stem? One or two is certainly indicative of nothing other than a loading problem or, possibly. a wet blend. A continuing problem? Certainly I would suspect the replacement. Is the airway in the new stem smooth? Will a cleaner pass smoothly?

 

[isaac]

How many bowls have you smoked utilizing the new stem? One or two is certainly indicative of nothing other than a loading problem or, possibly. a wet blend. A continuing problem? Certainly I would suspect the replacement. Is the airway in the new stem smooth? Will a cleaner pass smoothly?

ive had it for a few months. Doesnt matter what is smoked through it. Airway appears smooth and cleaner does pass smoothly

 

[ashdigger]

Not all replacement stems are created equal. One of the hardest parts to do is the bit.

Is there a difference in the bit between the original and the replacement?

 

[isaac]

Not all replacement stems are created equal. One of the hardest parts to do is the bit.

Is there a difference in the bit between the original and the replacement

There is a difference in the shape. The original stem from Baki was way too narrow and thin. I had another saddle bit made, and then a traditional curve. The curve is tending to give me the issue.

 

[isaac]

Top one is the original stem. Middle is the ebonite and the bottom is acrylic. I seem to have more gurgles with the ebonite but can occur occassionally with the acrylic.

 

[Hillcrest]

My guess (unsolicited with no basis in facts) is that the new stem is a tighter fit and wider more open draw causing faster burning and more moisture to accumulate in the bowl. Try drying the tobacco more.

 

[warren]

Tenon openings and throats same size as the original?

 

[tenton]

I like the appearance of the ebonite stem the best, but you say it's the worst smoker, so I'd go with the Baki stem. Baki may know a thing or two about stem making and what works best with his pipes. I agree with ashdigger. I've returned quite a few high dollar pipes that had turbulent or whistling stems.

 

[Ahi Ka]

For what it’s worth. I know a well respected artisan pipe maker, whose specialty was stem work, and smoked a baki calabash pretty much exclusively for 5 years. He wore through the bit and fashioned a new high quality stem for the pipe. The pipe never smoked the same for him.

 

[frozenchurchwarden]

"whose specialty was stem work"

Apparently not if he couldn't make a stem that works for him.
Being respected for shaping doesn't mean you know how to tune the airway.

 

[Ahi Ka]

Apparently not if he couldn't make a stem that works for him.
Being respected for shaping doesn't mean you know how to tune the airway.

Funny thing is, I now own the baki with replacement stem and I prefer it to the other baki I have which still has its original stem.

 

[Searock Fan]

Peterson tapers the channel in the stems on their system pipes in order to “extract” moisture into the well. Perhaps the channel is too narrow?

That was my first thought too.

 

[anotherbob]

stems can make a difference have heard more about it the other way a pipe being better with a new stem

 

[dunnyboy]

Both the ebonite and acrylic stems appear to be thicker towards the button that the original. Not sure why that would cause gurgle, unless they induce more saliva that's getting into the airway.