Dr. Grabow Stem Material Question

[mso489]

In the current production of Dr. Grabow pipes, what is the stem material on other-than Royalton series pipes which have acrylic? I have two Royaltons, a bulldog and an apple or prince (I'd call it a prince). I have too many pipes, so I am not shopping. But I am curious about other series. The stock MM cob stems are too soft and I quickly chew into them, so I either buy the ones with acrylic or vulcanite stems or replace them, or use a softie in one case. I am guessing the non-acrylic Dr. Grabow stems are plastic? How hard and durable is it? Most of Dr. G's pipes do not have acrylic stems, so what is the material?

 

[johnsteam86]

According to tobaccopipes.com their stems are plastic

 

[aldecaker]

I recall reading somewhere that they are ABS plastic, but I have no proof of this.

 

[theloniousmonkfish]

Current production is ABS, Royalton is the only line to use Acrylic.

 

[pipesticks]

I like my "Forever" type MM stems, but at 50 cents a pop, I just keep a bagful of MM replacement stems on hand and chew the heck out of them. Seems like the yellow stems hold up better for me than the black ones....must be due to that slight faceting on them.

 

[mso489]

So, how do the ABS stems hold up? Are they fairly durable or do they show chatter in a few months or weeks?

 

[aldecaker]

On the whole, they seem to hold up better for me than MM stems, to be sure. They show chatter easily, but it takes a long time to actually gnaw a hole in one. I find them to be more comfortable than acrylic, maybe a little less comfortable than your average vulcanite.

 

[theloniousmonkfish]

Aldecaker is right, much harder than a MM stem, softer than Acrylic. I swap them out for Vulcanite to get a thinner button and because my canines destroy them. My cobs also have Vulcanite.

 

[mso489]

Thank you! Highly informative answers, really bracket the answer and hit the bullseye. Bravo.