Clenching without...clenching?

[Chris Rock]

While enjoying my pipe, I tend to clench my jaw a bit too hard while I'm holding the pipe in my teeth. And when I smoke a straight-stem pipe, this can sometimes result in "catapulting" a bit of ash out of the bowl if I am not careful.

What's a good way to hold the pipe in your mouth without feeling like you need to bite down real hard?

 

[Elric]

Possibly heretical but I use the rubber softie bits. Provides a bit more leeway in clenching without dropping. Easier on the teeth and stems as well.

 

[proteus]

For a straight bit let it hang a bit by not biting down all the way.

 

[proteus]

For a bent bit try to let rest flat and bite a bit harder than a straight bit but not too hard. Muscles in jaw will thank you.

 

[RustiePyles CPG]

Relax and try not to think about. It’ll come naturally. Also try biting a little further up on the stem and getting the button back further in your jaw.

 

[warren]

for me, a pipe bent to some degree or another and resting between my molars with no bite pressure.

 

[yanoJL]

While enjoying my pipe, I tend to clench my jaw a bit too hard while I'm holding the pipe in my teeth. And when I smoke a straight-stem pipe, this can sometimes result in "catapulting" a bit of ash out of the bowl if I am not careful.

What's a good way to hold the pipe in your mouth without feeling like you need to bite down real hard?

I sometimes do this too, often with the stem an inch+ into my pie hole. But that kinda defeats the purpose of the bit I think. Try using the raised part of the bit to "hook" the upper teeth (just behind the upper teeth). You can do this with a straight pipe, but a bent stem might feel more natural at first

 

[Chris Rock]

I sometimes do this too, often with the stem an inch+ into my pie hole. But that kinda defeats the purpose of the bit I think. Try using the raised part of the bit to "hook" the upper teeth (just behind the upper teeth). You can do this with a straight pipe, but a bent stem might feel more natural at first

That's great advice. I have noticed that it's easier with the bent stem, but I'm gonna take this nugget of wisdom with me.
I'll "put it my pipe and smoke it", if you will.
LOL

 

[brian64]

I have a tendency to clamp down a little too hard sometimes too. I just try to be conscious of it when I catch myself and relax a little. I don't like the feel of the "softie" bits but dry vinyl tape has worked wonders for me...for both protecting the stems and making clenching more comfortable.

 

[bullet08]

Simple. Park the upper part of button behind upper teeth, and lower part of the button resting on the lower lip. Unless you are moving around chopping lumber, it will stay there balanced.

 

[Doctor Chopper]

Don't bite down hard.

Not being silly or stupid, like anything you develop habits with practice.

 

[Winnipeger]

I also stick the bit further back in my mouth, between my molars.

 

[didimauw]

While enjoying my pipe, I tend to clench my jaw a bit too hard while I'm holding the pipe in my teeth. And when I smoke a straight-stem pipe, this can sometimes result in "catapulting" a bit of ash out of the bowl if I am not careful.

What's a good way to hold the pipe in your mouth without feeling like you need to bite down real hard?

Don't bite down, to keep the pipe straight. Let it hang! I have a wimpy jaw, so actual clenching gets tiring fast. Pipe sits on the bottom teeth, while "hooked" on the top teeth.

 

[solideogloria86]

View attachment 246865
Don't bite down, to keep the pipe straight. Let it hang! I have a wimpy jaw, so actual clenching gets tiring fast. Pipe sits on the bottom teeth, while "hooked" on the top teeth.

This. Clinch the pipe, then relax your jaw so the pipe hangs there. You'll find the balance, literally.

 

[nathaniel]

Let it sit on the bottom teeth while hanging with the bit's button hooked behind your top teeth to keep from slipping out. No need to really "clench" per se.

 

[Chasing Embers]

No teeth required.

 

[bullet08]

No teeth required.

View attachment 246874

You sure you're not with CIA? Removed all the teeth to hide the true identity?

P.S. Too much whiskey for one night. Paranoid setting in.

 

[obc83]

While enjoying my pipe, I tend to clench my jaw a bit too hard while I'm holding the pipe in my teeth. And when I smoke a straight-stem pipe, this can sometimes result in "catapulting" a bit of ash out of the bowl if I am not careful.

What's a good way to hold the pipe in your mouth without feeling like you need to bite down real hard?

I'm pretty new as well and it's kind of just happening. I was a cigarette smoker so I was consciously and subconsciously try to clench the crap out of my pipe so I could have a constant stream of smoke rocketing down my gullet. Now that I'm starting to relax and learning not only to not inhale, which may or may not be an issue for you, but also to smoke slow, the pipe is beginning to naturally hang in its proper place, the button hooking my upper teeth. bents are easier but not quite rakish enough for me. I'm generally to be found these days with a saddle stemmed billiard and if I need to get some work done I shove it back to my molars and clench a little harder, but less so as time goes on. Also I'm finding that the soft bit covers are annoying because I like a thin stem but I like big buttons. And I cannot lie.

 

[obc83]

I have a tendency to clamp down a little too hard sometimes too. I just try to be conscious of it when I catch myself and relax a little. I don't like the feel of the "softie" bits but dry vinyl tape has worked wonders for me...for both protecting the stems and making clenching more comfortable.

Can you please post a link to the tape you use? Hoosierpipeguy(I think) also uses tape and I'm very interested. I hate how fat the soft bits are.

 

[Sobrbiker]

After trying a p-lip, I understood the benefit of airway directed at palate rather than tongue. Pretty soon I found that “choking up” on the stem put the top up stem parallel with, and resting on, my palate (that’s what @Chasing Embers has going on I believe). Now I do that probably half the time, and the other half the button is hooked behind my upper canine/bicuspid and resting across lowers.
Fully relaxed, a straight pipe will bounce every now and again, and the traditional cure to ash and hot crap falling out and on one’s shirt is a smoking jacket, I believe.
I find saddle stems cause less fatigue than tapered, and for me work better “choking up” on stem to get palate involved. YMMV