Clenching = saliva = shirt drool.

[Zzzapipe]

Having been a cigarette smoker as a teenager working construction jobs, using a shovel while a nicotine stick dangled from your lips was something we replicated from our seniors.

I'm brand new to pipe smoking, and I'd like the freedom to use my hands while I enjoy the pipe, however, I can't get past the flood of drool that quickly develops.

How do you guys remain composed and regal smoking and clenching?

I battle a stream of saliva that stretches and grows from the pipe as I remove it from my lips.

Find I've added a new quick unpleasant gesture of wiping spit away from the pipe stem before the drool drips and I ruin another shirt for the day. I've been smoking alone, but don't think its a habit I want to do in front of others.

What can I do? Am I forced to always hold the pipe or accept the fact that drool is part of my wardrobe now?

 

[ashdigger]

Practice. That’s it. That’s the secret.

 

[bluegrassbrian]

No one likes a spitter.. swallowing is key.

 

[RPK]

I was a cigarette smoker and never could go around with one dangling in my lips and as a pipe smoker never could clench one either as the saliva would run like a garden hose. I tried but have resolved myself to the fact that I can’t and am not obsessing over it.

 

[fireground_piper]

There’s some benefit to it. If someone looks at me and I’m drooling like a moron, likely they are going to leave me alone like I have a problem. Win/win.

Really though, it just takes time to adjust. Your body should figure it out with some persistene.

 

[JOHN72]

One of the most important parts of the body, I believe, is the intestinal flora. I never swallow saliva, whether it's pipe tobacco or a cigar. You're swallowing scum, and I don't think that's very good for the intestinal flora. Or have a good dissuasion technique, I mean when you smoke in the street, hahahahaha.

 

[FLDRD]

Practice & repetition.
It improves.
Maybe not full stop, but it improves.

 

[JOHN72]

The rubber is a good choice, especially for a heavy pipe. You can hold it with your teeth with more comfort and stability.

 

[FLDRD]

I tried the little rubber bits on the end and hated it. I felt like they made me slobber more.

 

[WVOldFart]

I can't clench either. It wasn't that important to me, and I didn't want to wear a bib. I find people look at people slobbering down their face and wearing a bib. They would have the nursing home on speed dial.

 

[The Benedictine]

No one likes a spitter.. swallowing is key.

I concur

 

[NookersTheCat]

I love clenching and have the same exact problem. I don't really have any other tips than that I notice I drool even more when my head is down.. usually extended clenching means I'm working on something and looking downward at it... but I notice if my eyes are level with the horizon then it's less bad...
But otherwise I just commiserate with you haha. Usually can only do it while doing outside work so I can spit prodigiously lol.
Oh, and +1 to the rubber softy-bits... they don't help my drool production, but they'll def save your teeth and your stems.

 

[Dshift]

The hanging method works well for me - I never actually clench a pipe , I just let it rest on the back of my teeth. Doesn’t really work with all pipes and that’s why I am so peculiar about shapes in my private collection.

 

[anotherbob]

Having been a cigarette smoker as a teenager working construction jobs, using a shovel while a nicotine stick dangled from your lips was something we replicated from our seniors.

I'm brand new to pipe smoking, and I'd like the freedom to use my hands while I enjoy the pipe, however, I can't get past the flood of drool that quickly develops.

How do you guys remain composed and regal smoking and clenching?

How do I do it. Kinda simple and kind of not at all simple. You know like a lot of stuff. But the first one which you'll not dig is get used to smoking a pipe. The other that you'll like better because it's easier to make head way. Is smoke cooler. How do you smoke cooler? Well you dry the tobacco out (how much enough that your comfortable enough not to produce excessive saliva) smoke softer more gently or as I say sip the smoke it doesn't need a lot of help getting from the pipe into your mouth (in fact leave a lit pipe in your mouth for three or four seconds without doing anything then see how much smoke is in there) and if the smoke gets too warm just take the pipe and set it down till it's not. Last pack the pipe lighter then you probably are now (safe bet you're packing it too tight, just like any skill there are the things new people get wrong typically, again the thing is it's about finding your comfort zone and just like pants there is a personal range but if they cut off circulation to your legs or junk that's not comfortable too must).
The thing is that drool is mostly your body reacting to protect your mouth. And one part of that is what the hell is he putting in here leading to eventually oh that's not too bad. The other is your getting the smoke close to a temperature that scares the nanny that lives in your saliva glands and they don't want to risk you burning your mouth too bad. Oh and one last one you don't have much say in some blends might just do that to you. But keep smoking a pipe and it should get better and take the pipe a little easier and softer and the issue should be less of an issue. At worst get a system pipe of some sort that has a well of some sort.

I battle a stream of saliva that stretches and grows from the pipe as I remove it from my lips.

Find I've added a new quick unpleasant gesture of wiping spit away from the pipe stem before the drool drips and I ruin another shirt for the day. I've been smoking alone, but don't think its a habit I want to do in front of others.

What can I do? Am I forced to always hold the pipe or accept the fact that drool is part of my wardrobe now?

 

[Zzzapipe]

I was half joking, but always amazed by all the helpful and humours input. Pipers are the best!

Laughing because I have noticed that my head position has a lot to do with it.

A couple of times when I thought I could pull a weed or pick up a forgotten turd my puppy left behind, I re-position the pipe stem in a sturdy area between my teeth, bend over - and whoa, find myself having to pull the head up real quick before I embarass myself with more slobber only a bloodhound would love.

Thanks for the thoughtful and thorough answer anotherbob, upon further reflection, I do find that since now enjoying the tastier tobacco blends, I do find my pipe runs a little hot. I only then remember to try the clenched mouth breathing technique to cool things down.

I guess I'm admitting to myself by pipe smoking that I can't be as mobile as I once was. Is that why its an old man's game? Guess it goes with the new territory.

I guess I'll just have to resort to practicing and perfecting my pipe holding stance.
Right now the favourite is holding the pipe with the left while my right hand tucks into the armpit. Is that the prinary first stance?



Maybe I'll graduate to a churchwarden, from what I understand, it was meant to be held up on your stomach. I guess that fixes the head problem amd now I have an excuse to not work and only enjoy the pipe further.

 

[anantaandroscoggin]

I've heard tell that excess saliva is also a problem for new denture wearers. Seems they get told that it will gradually diminish.

My biggest problem with shirts, is that the front becomes filled with little holes, either from burning coals that escape my pipe when it's newly lit, or from the cats leaning up against me and kneading my shirt and skin full of holes. Had one cat years back nicknamed "Miss 20 Toenails of Death," because she would knead with all four feet.

 

[Zzzapipe]

 

[Zzzapipe]

Enjoyed my morning pipe, ( a little EMP in my Bringham Mountaineer 303) and remembered to channel my early neck strengthening technique to help keep my head still :

 

[Sigmund]

Dont worry about it. Over time it will probably take care of itself. Your body naturally reacts like you are eating. It will learn that you are not. When I clench I still get more saliva than usual but not as bad as early in pipe smoking when it was like a fountain.

 

[Zzzapipe]

Good to know, I guess in the meantime I'll just accept and be envious of these little reminders of what a relaxed and serene pose at the work bench could be.