Does Acrylic Last Longer?

[sablebrush52]

That special acrylic rod wouldn't be juma, would it?

Nope. It's a formulation that has a little give to it, like high quality Vulcanite. Juma is different. I like Juma, very comfortable.

 

[Chasing Embers]

And a Tsuge bought for me by my daughter Christmas 2009. Still black with no sanding.

 

[seanv]

What are you all doing to your pipes? This one was purchased for me as a graduation gift in '92 and all I've ever done is wipe it with oil after each smoke.

I don't wipe my stems after each smoke even though I know I should.

 

[sandollars]

I don't wipe my stems after each smoke even though I know I should.

Well,

 

[BROBS]

The problem with acrylic IMO is twofold. Yes it’s harder and therefore more resistant to tooth marks. This also makes it much less comfortable to clench unless it’s a small pipe with a well crafted stem. The other problem is once you get a tooth mark in acrylic it’s much harder to fix. Also with how hard I clench (pretty light) I don’t find myself leaving tooth marks.
My wife is another story I let her just put one of my pipes in her mouth.. she clenched it and left sharp tooth indents on the top and bottom of the stem and button. I was like wtf!

so I think a lot depends on the smoker.

 

[brian64]

I'm a clencher so acrylic is uncomfortable for me

3 words: dry vinyl tape.

It's like turning acrylic into vulcanite. It even makes poorly sized bits tolerable.

 

[cigrmaster]

I only have a few pipes that are not vulcanite. I clench almost all the time and my vulcanite stems are more comfortable. All of my acrylic stems look brand new and none have any marks on them.

I use Obidisian on my vulcanite stems after every smoke and they stay nice looking.

 

[oldguyoldpipes]

I've dragged my feet posting this because I so much like Vulcanite stems, but over the years I've come to believe that acrylic stems last longer. I'm not talking aesthetics here; obviously Vulcanite tend to oxidize and require some attention for that. I mean, over the years, acrylic stems just don't get chewed and chattered as much, and the bits don't get chewed through. For comfort, especially with heavier pipes, I definitely prefer Vulcanite. But for longevity and sustained good appearance, if you don't find them too hard (which mostly I don't), acrylic does a good job for longer. Despite my attachment to the fine old traditional Vulcanite. How are your stem materials holding up?

I seem to put the rubber bits on all my pipes as I can't get used to the vulcanite or acrylic feel. I like the ability to clinch a bit on the rubber bit and not worry about marking up the stem or feeling it slide around.

 

[Mr.Mike]

3 words: dry vinyl tape.

It's like turning acrylic into vulcanite. It even makes poorly sized bits tolerable.

Thanks for the advice! I'll give that a shot

 

[BROBS]

I seem to put the rubber bits on all my pipes as I can't get used to the vulcanite or acrylic feel. I like the ability to clinch a bit on the rubber bit and not worry about marking up the stem or feeling it slide around.

I used to use them but after taking them off I realize how much better the bit feels in your teeth. With a softy on it makes the stem too thick IMO.

also, I figured any marks in the stem are from me, no point in saving the stem for myself.

 

[diamondback]

I used to use them but after taking them off I realize how much better the bit feels in your teeth. With a softy on it makes the stem too thick IMO.

also, I figured any marks in the stem are from me, no point in saving the stem for myself.

I find myself in a love/hate relationship with softy bits. I appreciate their purpose but totally agree that the natural bit (w/o softy) feels oh-so-much better.

That said, the vast majority of my pipes are vulcanite and I tend to tolerate the softies on a few of my most favorite Comoys.

Y’all know those faithful little pipes would stay with ME were I to get a divorce? A man can’t ask for more than that. They’re true friends, my pipes. Even if the other pipes know I converse with my beloved Comoys in the secret language of love, they’re all on my side regardless of manufacturer.

 

[jpmcwjr]

If you bite down on the stem, you'll get marks or indentations. So don't do that! Seriously, just enough "clench" to keep it from falling out.

 

[Chasing Embers]

If you bite down on the stem, you'll get marks or indentations. So don't do that! Seriously, just enough "clench" to keep it from falling out.

More of a dangle than a bite.?

 

[Mr.Mike]

I would never sacrifice comfort to protect my pipes from teeth chatter. I've used softie bits and they just make the bit too big. The whole point of sitting down with your pipe is to enjoy yourself, and I don't plan on making any concessions. Just my opinion

 

[diamondback]

More of a dangle than a bite.?

/thumbs-up

 

[jpmcwjr]

More of a dangle than a bite.?

Indeed, but watch your angle of dangle!! If it rises to more than horizontal, you may swallow a load of tar, nicotine and condensate. I did that once. But I now also very rarely have enough moisture in the airway to be a problem.

 

[brian64]

I've used softie bits and they just make the bit too big.

That's exactly why I use the vinyl tape...can't tolerate the "softie" bits.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Indeed, but watch your angle of dangle!! If it rises to more than horizontal, you may swallow a load of tar, nicotine and condensate. I did that once. But I now also very rarely have enough moisture in the airway to be a problem.

Yep, been there!?

 

[DotAndBang’sPipes]

Acrylic all the way for me. I can definitely feel the difference but the aesthetic is worth it.

 

[sablebrush52]

This vulcanite stem...

seems to be doing fine at the tender age of 136 years.