Experience with Radice Reverse-Calabash Pipes

[BrokenRecord]

Hi all,

I am looking to see if anyone has experience with Radice reverse-calabash pipes?
Do the stems loosen over time from the constant removing of the stem to clean the calabash reservoir?

 

[Chasing Embers]

Hi all,

I am looking to see if anyone has experience with Radice reverse-calabash pipes?
Do the stems loosen over time from the constant removing of the stem to clean the calabash reservoir?

The one I had had a plastic ring inside of the mortise for stem placement so it pressed into place instead of twisting. I remove all of my stems immediately after smoking with no loosening issues. If constantly smoked hot, the 360° compression on the stem from mortise swelling causes loose stems when the mortise contracts after cooling. That's why vulcanite tenons can be restored to their size with heat.

 

[Merton]

I am a big Radice fan in general and have had, over the years, a number of their reverse calabash pipes. I never found any loosening and they smoke well. Cleaning requires more steps than with a traditional pipes. If anything I found that the stem sometimes becomes too tight over time. For me, it came down to weight and the calabashes I had were all over 2 oz. I know that for most that is not a lot but as I prefer to clench it became uncomfortable. Nice pipes though.