Clenching

[wernerat]

Do you guys have the pipe more in the hand or clenched between the teeth?

Years ago before I really got into the hobby as a younger version of myself I thought its uber cool to clench one smoke session my pipe all the time.
Result: could hardly open my mouth the next day :D

So now I m more carefully and now train my jaw :D

How is it with you guys? How long did it take for you to clench a pipe for a longer period?

Naturally it depends on stem form weight and so on.
I would ask in general. Or don't you clench the pipe at all?

 

[FLDRD]

Depends on the pipe. Size, weight, angle.
I don't try very often to "clench" it unless it's got a good bend, otherwise I feel I'm only mangling the stem.
So depends on which pipe I'm using at the time.
And the jaw muscles? You'd be surprised how much muscle tone you get from smiling at the world...

 

[Chasing Embers]

Even when I had teeth I didn't bite down, I just closed my mouth far enough to a point that the pipe wouldn't fall out. Little to no strength or effort required. Now with no teeth even the giant pipes easily clench.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I was used to always having a pencil or cigarette in my mouth. So, a transition to a pipe was easy. I out absolutely no pressure on the pipe. Just keep the teeth closed enough to grip the button.
I’m not sure how to advise someone to train for it. Maybe, just keep a pipe clenched all day, lit or not. Heck, half the time my pipe has gone out, and I’m just carrying it like a dog with a prized stick.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

You really shouldn’t ever have your teeth clench tight anyway, and your tongue should never be in the roof of your mouth. I know that when I was taking yoga, some people had a hard time keeping relaxed like that. If you have a tendency to keep your teeth clenched, you might have some stress issues.

 

[kcghost]

I handle it just like my love life. I keep it in my hand at all times

 

[olkofri]

Can't smoke and clench at the same time: end up inhaling.

I hold it in my hand and temporarily with my teeth whilst I shift gears.

 

[BCF]

Clench. Employer expects me to get things done.

 

[AJL67]

Trained your jaw? Reminds me of a girl i dated in high school.

Pipe in hand, funny that reminds me of her too.

 

[hall222]

Hold on to it!

 

[warren]

It took no time at all! My jaw structure determined where and how I held the pipe. It's held with the jaw at rest and, unless engaged in physical labor, between a couple of molars. No building of strength, no clamping down except when running a chainsaw, driving the tractor, etc. So, easy and relaxing . . . a small sip now and then, concentrating on the matter at hand and simply going about my business. I certainly never "clenched" as the term is misused, for me at least or, experienced any muscle fatigue. I also primarily choose pipes bent to some degree or another so that the bowl "pushes down and the bit rests on the upper molars.

All of the above came more or less naturally. Questions, such as the OP's, led me to dissect the experience as I'd never given "clenching" a thought. I just found where the pipe could naturally rest and . . . did that. Never overthought the procedure.

Hold on to it!

Two hands for the saw, tractor, hammer and chisel, etc. I've only got the two. And, if you are holding the pipe you most are certainly are not "clenching."

 

[bluegrassbrian]

I handle it just like my love life. I keep it in my hand at all times

Interesting, me too.
A constant clencher - oral fixation.

 

[tklee]

I'm a clencher. In fact, I posted a thread with the topic "Do you clench your pipe?" before.

Do You Clench your Pipe? :: General Pipe Smoking Discussion - https://pipesmagazine.com/forums/threads/do-you-clench-your-pipe.88921/

Not all pipes are suitable for clenching, depend on their shape and weight. If that pipe is not suitable for clenching, don't clench. But you don't need strong muscle to clench a pipe. Don't bite, it's more like hanging it between your teeth and rest it on your lips

 

[dunnyboy]

It's relatively easy to clench a thin, vulcanite stem, leaving your hands free to type, turn pages, etc. With thicker acrylic stems I can clench fairly easily but tend to rest the pipe in my hand about half the time.

 

[Doctor Chopper]

I tend to clench, unless smoking a churchwarden. I can't seem to master swallowing with the pipe in my mouth, so I take it out often and readjust which helps even out the pressure on my jaw.

The only time I get jaw fatigue is when I use a bit. I tend to bite down on those buggers like crazy. I don't use them often just for that reason.

 

[anotherbob]

Do you guys have the pipe more in the hand or clenched between the teeth?

Years ago before I really got into the hobby as a younger version of myself I thought its uber cool to clench one smoke session my pipe all the time.
Result: could hardly open my mouth the next day :D

So now I m more carefully and now train my jaw :D

How is it with you guys? How long did it take for you to clench a pipe for a longer period?

Naturally it depends on stem form weight and so on.
I would ask in general. Or don't you clench the pipe at all?

if it ain't easy you're not doing it right. It's more about placement and trust then strength. Then again I never had an issue with it and I could bite clean through a finger or a plug (plug cutter you mean teeth).

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Trained your jaw? Reminds me of a girl i dated in high school.

Pipe in hand, funny that reminds me of her too.

If she used her hand, you must have not trained her properly.

As far as the post subject matter, it seems like I always clinched. I always smoked a pipe while driving and doing things, there was no alternative but to clinch. Seems like the natural thing to do.

 

[irishearl]

I handle it just like my love life. I keep it in my hand at all times

Yup, why bother figuring out a proper geometry to hold it in your mouth in such a way that you don't indent the stem and drool all over yourself? Just hold the dang thing.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Do you guys have the pipe more in the hand or clenched between the teeth?

90% clenching.

If it's uncomfortable or a struggle, you're doing it wrong.

 

[warren]

Yup, why bother figuring out a proper geometry to hold it in your mouth in such a way that you don't indent the stem and drool all over yourself?

No figuring involved. The bit simply finds the correct spot. I couldn't car less about chatter on the bit. My pipes aren't for show, they're for heavy use and, a bit of enjoyment/nicotine as I go about my day. I wan 't aware that I was supposed to drool on myself. Should I start? Is that a rule the pipe police issued?