Favorite Type of Stem

[gamzultovah]

My favorite type of stem has always been the Twin-Bore (specifically, Radice), but I recently picked up a P-Lip and I have to say, it is quite nice. I own pipes with many stem types: standard slot, Orific, Twin-Bore and now, P-Lip and I’ve noticed that the T/B and the P-Lip are neck and neck in enjoyment. I’ve not yet owned a NAP style stem so I cannot comment on those at the moment.
So, what type of stem gives you your best smoke (other than the one you have in your mouth at the moment)? Do you have a favorite or does it not matter?

 

[FurCoat]

Danish stems for cobs. I can clench a pipe all day long without any fatigue.

 

[El Capitán]

I like military mounts with either p-lips or fishtails.

 

[K.E. Powell]

Military mount with a generous bent and a P-lip button, preferably in acrylic. But vulcanite is fine, fishtails are fine, etc. I'm not much of a clencher, so provided the stem looks good and is made and fitted well, I can be fine with whatever. I've warmed considerably to P-lips though, I must admit.

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

Most of my pipes are bent, most are vulcanite or ebonite, so I guess that’s my answer. I like P-lips a lot but not even all my Petes have those - as long as it’s not a tongue depressor of a fishtail I’m happy with a non P-lip as well.

 

[Scottmi]

"Falcon Dental Bit" said nobody, ever?

 

[gamzultovah]

"Falcon Dental Bit" said nobody, ever?View attachment 267384

Yep. Don’t own one of those.

 

[OzPiper]

Estates make up most of my lineup and most have chatter/divots from years of chomping/clenching by previous owners.
I'm not a fan of chatter. I use silicon bits always.
And smoke mainly with pipe in hand.
So it matters if not the stem is acrylic, vulcanite or amber.

 

[Sobrbiker]

Vulcanite saddle stems, and I like them a little longer. I clench straight pipes a lot, and if I “choke up” on stem it lays up towards my palate and I get the benefit of a kind of budget p-lip. Below is a Lee 3 Star medium pear saddle stem I’m currently smoking a such.
That said, I have one vulcanite p-lip of the variety they just did for the Short Army series and I love it!

 

[sablebrush52]

I’m fine with either tapers or saddles. Prefer straights, wide flat bite zones, good funneling to the slot, and enough of a button that the damned thing won’t slip out of my mouth and bounce down the roadway.

 

[Chasing Embers]

"Falcon Dental Bit" said nobody, ever?View attachment 267384

Yep. Don’t own one of those.

Those are great if you have no teeth. I just wish they came in white.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Stems really don't change the smokability of a pipe for me but I have a preference to saddle stems with large buttons with no sharp edges.

 

[kcghost]

I will go with the vulcanite stem with a saddle bit.

 

[sardonicus87]

My preference is for acrylic stems with fishtail bits, prefer tapered to saddle (aesthetic reasons) but like both, and prefer them slightly bent or straight, no heavy bends. I have no real preference for the joint whether it's mortise & tenon or military/spigot.

 

[gamzultovah]

Stems really don't change the smokability of a pipe for me but I have a preference to saddle stems with large buttons with no sharp edges.

It was because of this post from you in 2020 that I was glad I owned this NOS Radice Lovat.
Thread 'Twin Bore Stems'
Twin Bore Stems :: Pipe Talk - https://pipesmagazine.com/forums/threads/twin-bore-stems.79279/

It never made it into my rotation as I had too many (for me) pipe going at the time. But, when I had the chance to try it, I agreed with your assessment. Now maybe I got lucky with my Pete 302, but it smokes as effortlessly as my T/B pipes. I’m still on the fence with the P-Lip though, as it directs smoke upwards; something that I’ll have to get use to. Time will tell. And, yes, I find myself reaching for my Lovat’s (saddle stems) quite often and without much forethought.

 

[FLDRD]

Bent, acrylic, military mount, P-lip .................... and the newer ones that are wider than a lot of the older ones

 

[vosBghos]

Vulcanite for my tender gums, full bent for the hangability, though I do enjoy a spigot or military mount for breakdown/cleaning ease when running (teeth in) errands so I keep a couple of fishtail Pete's in the car.

 

[STP]

Saddle stems, like my 607KS Trevi below, are my favorite:

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Wide, thin with a decent button to allow for clenching.

 

[anotherbob]

p-lip for sure. But as long as it's comfortable and works it's nice. One of my favorite pipes has my least favorite stem. The Vauen is just too thin and doesn't always stay as well put as I'd like. But again as long as it works I am pleased.