Give Me the Pros and Cons of Softy Bits

[gervais]

I love softy bits, and I do not taste any rubber. Forget the haters!

 

[jpmcwjr]

Ain't gotta be no hater here! Just don't like the damn things.

 

[dino]

I like them. I don't like tooth marks on my bits.
Who am I saving my pipes for? Should the Big Sleep come (God forbid), I want my wife and family to get top dollar from my well cared for pipes, should they decide to sell them.
Also, I like the pliable response when I clench. I don't smell or taste rubber from the Softy bits. I put on a fresh, washed one each time I smoke, and remove it, wash it and clean the stem.
I don't leave them on the stems, when the pipe isn't being smoked.

 

[mortonbriar]

The only pipe I use with a softy bit is purely to hide the gaping big hole in the stem that would really bug me if I could see it. I don't mind the feel of the bit, and am familiar enough for it to seem normal for that one pipe, but I would not choose to put them on every other pipe.

 

[mordy18]

Tried them and stopped using them. If they dont fit the stem perfectly - which in my case they didnt on any of my pipes - you dont get a good draw and gets a bit slobbery. Couldnt make them work.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Also who are you protecting the stem for? The next owner???

They are like new person training wheels or something.

it’s like biting on a rubber cigar. Or maybe some people are used to rubber and silicone appendages going in their mouths.

I'm protecting it for me. I clench so much, I could put a hole through a soft, thinner stem. The friction tape also makes it more comfortable on my teeth. 95% of my smoking is done by myself so I don't care about the aesthetics. I know, spend $400 on a pipe and then wrap black tape on it, where's the logic? If you want logic, call Mr Spock.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

People who need these things should just give up on decent pipes and stick to Dr Grabow.

Hardly noticeable and hardly Dr Grabow.

 

[logs]

Hardly noticeable and hardly Dr Grabow.
View attachment 32729

Well okay... we'll allow it this once.

 

[3rdguy]

I use them on my clenchers..I find it more comfortable. I usually put them on backwards as they line up to a more comfortable position for me. Maybe half my pipes have them. Cheap via Ebay and direct ship from China..well before they started eating bats and now the shipping is forever I would guess.

 

[scloyd]

Tried them, didn't like the feel. Plus, most of my pipes are in the $50-$150 range....not really worried about top dollar resale value. I'm not a clencher and a few teeth marks don't bother me. The only two pipes that I don't want teeth marks on are my birth year Dunhill and my Paris souvenir pipe.

 

[BROBS]

I'm protecting it for me. I clench so much, I could put a hole through a soft, thinner stem. The friction tape also makes it more comfortable on my teeth. 95% of my smoking is done by myself so I don't care about the aesthetics. I know, spend $400 on a pipe and then wrap black tape on it, where's the logic? If you want logic, call Mr Spock.

I’m really just teasing. You must bite the hell out of the dang stem tho! It’s not doublemint!

the tape looks about 3 trillion times better than a softie bit.

 

[jdb67]

I'm telling you, this is the shit right here:
search for Insultab HS-614 1/2 Blk 6

You may have to stretch it a bit to fit over some stems before shrinking it with heat. This comes in a package of 5 6-inch pieces.

 

[scloyd]

Who remembers the thread similar to this one? Neal (npod) and his bondage tape...

Here it is:

Parafilm Stem Wraps :: General Pipe Smoking Discussion

I was asked to post a picture tutorial of my Parafilm stem softy bit system. When guys see this in person it always grabs attention. I use this method exclusively now instead of Softy bits or shrink wrap from the hardware store. There is ZERO bulk on the stem and this allows a natural stem feel...

pipesmagazine.com

 

[Country Bladesmith]

Who remembers the thread similar to this one? Neal (npod) and his bondage tape...

Here it is:

Parafilm Stem Wraps :: General Pipe Smoking Discussion

I was asked to post a picture tutorial of my Parafilm stem softy bit system. When guys see this in person it always grabs attention. I use this method exclusively now instead of Softy bits or shrink wrap from the hardware store. There is ZERO bulk on the stem and this allows a natural stem feel...

pipesmagazine.com

Thanks. I needed a laugh. That’s gold. ?