Just got a baggy of pipe stem rubbers from softy. Do those of you who utilize a stem rubber simply install it and leave it on until it gets old? Or will nastiness begin to form between the rubber and stem?
Do You Leave Your Softys On?
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When I first started I left them on on all my pipes for a year or two, because they were such a pain to get on and off. They tend to protect the stem, so that the spots they cover will be less oxidized. The creases at the buttons may still get dull if you slobber a lot.
I now use the softer, more pliable, silicone ones from eBay, which are easily removed after each smoke
I now use the softer, more pliable, silicone ones from eBay, which are easily removed after each smoke
In my experience, the rubber will begin to degrade a bit, and that's when I'll change them. This takes a long ass time and/or lots of smokes to happen, though, IMO. I have not really noticed too much funkiness developing on or around them.
I rarely use one, but when I do, I remove it to clean the moisture off
I take mine off after every smoke , and clean the moisture from the stem and rubber bit.
I got a nice pipe and was sad to see how after one smoke the stem had teeth marks on it. I think I’ll either use softy’s or simply refrain from clenching on the pipe when smoking
That was why I started using them. I'm not much of a clencher, but it doesn't take much to start putting some use marks on stems.
Yo, @mingc do you have a link for those bits you mention here? Thanks!
Ray can you clarify, you boil the softy or boil the stem? I’m new to pipes so want to make sure.
Here's some on eBay. For some reason, that was the only offering I could find. They were lots more a few years back. They came in 2 sizes and in black or clear silicone. A COVID related supply issue maybe?
I leave them on semi-permanently. I re-wax the stem if ever I change them. They get a little crusty on the sides, and I scrape it with my fingernail.
I quit smoking for around 10 years. It wasn’t a conscious decision, I just didn’t have time and had other things going. So, my softy’s stayed on the pipes all those years. They seem fine.
I quit smoking for around 10 years. It wasn’t a conscious decision, I just didn’t have time and had other things going. So, my softy’s stayed on the pipes all those years. They seem fine.
When I used them on trial, I found the area it covered was a different color from the rest of the stem. Haven't used them for years.
Sucks to those. I went and got the softy brand, made in the United States. They seem to be good quality and priced perfectly reasonably. In my opinion.
RUBBER TOBACCO PIPE BITS 30 pcs "SOFTY" THE ORIGINAL! U.S.A. | eBay
The one and only worldwide choice for pipe smokers for over 90 years. Made from our proprietary formula for softness, durability, and comfort that is easy on your teeth. A must for smokers with tooth issues, sensitive teeth, and denture wearers.
www.ebay.com
These: Softy bits, the original soft tobacco pipe stem protector. USA MADE - https://softybits.com/? I just found out about them today. They don't have the unnecessary extra thickness at the end and look promising. Are they rubber or silicone?
[D'oh, the site itself says rubber].
Yes a propriety rubber. I’ve only installed one thus far, on my savinelli author which has a very wide mouth piece on the stem and it initially the softy did not want to get on there. Being a mechanic by trade, I put a little lube (saliva) on the mouth piece and it slid on easily and fits like a glove. I will try one on a different pipe tonight perhaps, but so far so good.
Why not just buy a rubber cigar? That’s what it feels like
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