First time using softy rubber bites

[PaulTheScandinavian]

Thanks folks for sharing your experience, much appreciated , I will have to make some experimenting further, perhaps they might be usable on the utmost heavy pipes such as my Peterson 606 pot,nonetheless,last time I tried it with this articular heavy weight ,it wasen't encouraging experience at all,

 

[styler]

I only have on a few and use them on pipes that I'm smoking through winter. When it's really cold I like to clench for the whole smoke so that I can keep my hand in my pockets!
I'm with Drennan on his suggestion to cut them down. I make mine just narrow enough that I can clench with my teeth, but without it impacting on making a seal around the stem with my lips.

 

[jvnshr]

I am not a clencher, but I use them on all of my pipes except my cobs. I just hate seeing any teeth marks on the stem. And actually, I love them.

 

[lonefrog615]

As was mentioned above....slide them down a bit so that they are just past the button. That seems to improve things. Personally I use them when walking the dog but I prefer to smoke a pipe when I can sit still enough to clench without them.

 

[ukbob]

Use them all the time never had a problem with them so far.

 

[shotime]

I use them on all of my pipes

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

All Right folks,let me see further,supposedly in some occasions these bits may come handy, for instance while one is driving, remains to be seen yet,

 

[akfilm]

Oh I like the idea of sliding past the button, I'm going to dig one out and give this another go.

 

[josephcross]

I try them every now and then. I dont mind it on my heavier 320, but it can be awkward.

 

[newbroom]

I tried em. Don't like em. Too bouncy and I think they provide a place for bacteria.

I prefer the feel of just the stem.

I used to imagine keeping my stems in pristine condition using these, but, I gave up on that idea and realized that they're MY pipes, and I don't find myself biting through anything, just typical chatter.

When and if I want to bring them back to smooth, I've got micro pads and polishing cloth.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

Thanks Mr Newbroom, I'm kinda leaning toward something like you said, I'd be interesting to hear something more info on these so called clening micro pads,are they general-store stuff?

 

[warren]

Hardware stores, hobby stores, Amazon and, in the US, grocery stores in cleaning/kitchen section as they are used for cleaning Teflon pans and such. Hope this helps.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

Mr Warren,All right, Now I got the picture of what they are, Thank you

 

[crashthegrey]

I despise them, even as a clencher. Pipe stems were made for biting, I'm alright with my tooth marks on my stems. I also smoke a lot of Ebonite or Cumberland stems, they are soft enough for me.

 

[instymp]

Exactly what jvnshr said for me.

Cobs I can bite them, use my butane torch lighter on them & smoke them without caring about anything but the smoke.

 

[wlrountree]

I tried them very early on and couldn't stand them. They just made the stem too big for my taste. I ruined some stems because of the way I clenched for a long time but I've gotten better and my newer pipes are in better in much better shape. Also quit buying any vulcanite stems and only buy acrylic or lucite. They just didn't work for me but glad you've enjoyed them.

 

[newbroom]

Ya, the micro pads are really effective. I dithered about buying a set for a long time and once I got one, I was glad I did.

I got mine from either ebay or amazon...there are 9 gradations from 1500 to 12000. You can restore a stem to a glass like finish with these. Nice to have on hand.

On one of the PipesMagazine radio spots, I heard one of the knowledgeable contributors mention using a cloth and toothpaste on his stems after usage.

The grit in the paste helps clean residual build up w/o removing base material.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

Thanks Mr Newbroom, I shall check them out, yep still feels thse Bits are real clunky, Have a Great Weekend Y'all there,God Bless,

 

[ophiuchus]

I have found that sliding them just past the button makes them more comfortable.

:: -Good tip.
I gave it a try; I put the damn things on nearly all my pipes for a while. I bit through several. I ended up pulling most of them back off over time. I still keep them around; for example, if I'm going to be using my hands and I'm taking a Falcon with an apple bowl, I may slip one on for easy clenching.

 

[weezell]

I prefer the feel of just the stem.

Yep, that's me. Tried the bits and hated them...