Clenching - how?

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HawkeyeLinus

Lifer
Oct 16, 2020
5,580
40,853
Iowa
It is a difficult process. I can "hang" on to a pipe but for the life of me can't clench it. And, of course, walking around is way beyond,
I agree. Two smaller pipes this morning and two completely different stem shapes (both bent) and the sweet spot is my teeth just at the base of the bit and in general I’d have to say that is preferred and I guess I wouldn’t call it a clench, either, but I’d I was out on a golf cart like @hoosierpipeguy there would be a lot more pressure and I suppose a clench for semantics.

Full disclosure, some can be more in the lips, as I said, it depends, but I haven’t found a comfortable way to clench a straight stem of any size at all and tend to just hold them.
 

Searock Fan

Lifer
Oct 22, 2021
1,862
5,217
U.S.A.
Clinching hard on your pipe is a bad habit. I have pipes over 50 years old that I smoke all the time and the original lucite stems look almost new. Back in the 60's I did have my dentist smooth off the sharp point of my lower right canine because it drilled a hole in the bottom of my Castello bent egg's stem. That solved the tooth problem and a little epoxy solved the stem hole problem.... and yes, it has the original stem to this day. puffy
 

Brewfan

Part of the Furniture Now
Jul 5, 2021
899
17,502
Louisville, KY, USA
I hadn't really thought about it, but I guess I hook the top part of the button between the two points of the upper tooth to the outside of my canine tooth ( I have no dental knowledge, is that a premolar?). The pipe is securely hanging with no pressure from my teeth holding it in place.
 

Ray Popp

Starting to Get Obsessed
Dec 14, 2022
173
249
I hadn't really thought about it, but I guess I hook the top part of the button between the two points of the upper tooth to the outside of my canine tooth ( I have no dental knowledge, is that a premolar?). The pipe is securely hanging with no pressure from my teeth holding it in place.
I just tried that ... and if not for my relaxed posture and substantial mid-section, the pipe would have hit the ground. I think I am simply just going to have to try the rubber bits, start holding my pipe in my hand much more, or simply resign myself to probably replacing stems from time to time. Not that I care once I die, those who get my pipes can do with the stems as they wish, use/sell them as they are or replace them. It is not as if I have a pipe that has a stem that cannot be replaced ...
 
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Brewfan

Part of the Furniture Now
Jul 5, 2021
899
17,502
Louisville, KY, USA
I just tried that ... and if not for my relaxed posture and substantial mid-section, the pipe would have hit the ground. I think I am simply just going to have to try the rubber bits, start holding my pipe in my hand much more, or simply resign myself to probably replacing stems from time to time. Not that I care once I die, those who get my pipes can do with the stems as they wish, use/sell them as they are or replace them. It is not as if I have a pipe that has a stem that cannot be replaced ...
Ah, sorry man. It might be I just have unique teeth and it only works for me!
 
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Reactions: Briar Tuck
Jan 19, 2023
9
8
Everyone's different, u gotta be patient and practice. Also as many pointed its really not clenching but hanging, u just have to not give up and you will figure out the best position for you to the point that you will do it completely automatically. :)
 
Whatever works for you.
I just clench in behind my eye teeth and let it hang. I don’t even have to think about it, nor do I. Just leave a pipe in my clench all day.

But, some guys have so much stress that they can’t control their bite, some drool uncontrollably, and others feel a need to puff like a freight train. YMMV
 
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Fo0zle

Lurker
Jan 22, 2023
46
250
29
Western N.C.
No one said softee bit yet.
Yeah I’m new here and was reading through these responses and wondering if softee bits are sacrilege around here or something.

To me they make the whole pipe smoking experience nicer and more comfortable.

I don’t like stressing about damage to my stems. I just want to clench it however is comfortable for that particular pipe and smoke away.

I grind and clench my teeth all the time anyway, so I don’t think my pipes would stand a chance if I was smoking absent-mindedly without a softee bit 😅