Oftentimes, I’ve read where you should never bite down on a stem, which leads me to two questions. First, how to properly hold a pipe in your mouth without the use of hands. And second, how to hold a pipe in your mouth if you wear dentures. My father was great at that, but I find my dentures feel like they can’t handle the weight, even from a lightweight dr. Grabbed pipe
Holding a Pipe in Your Mouth
- Thread starter Rob.s
- Start date
Depends entirely on your mouth and teeth. If you want to bite on the bit, bite on the bit. Most all of my bits bear teeth marks. I clench be simply resting the bit between the rear molars, either side, depends on the work I'm doing. I don't bit down unless I'm doing something strenuous, driving the chainsaw, hauling gear, and so forth. Just find what works for you.
Honestly I have a hard time, even when my dentures are out. Any recommendations on a light weight pipe?
Not found an issue with weight once the dentures are out.
Cobs or small meerschaums may be your answer though.
I’ll try a cob. Don’t know how my dad did large pipes, but I have gotten so frustrated just trying to hold a straight pipe while working on other activities
Top
Bottom
My Grabow
However. Ill probably need dentures soon so that worries me.
Bottom
My Grabow
However. Ill probably need dentures soon so that worries me.
I think for size to weight ratio, meerschaum is lighter than most cobs. Also, full bent or "Oom paul" shapes, are the less taxing for my jaw. Straight pipes you gotta work with to get right sometimes.
Works with big straights too.
Look over the photos, retirement is making me lazy.
Look over the photos, retirement is making me lazy.
Everyone clenches little different. But look carefully at what @Chasing Embers is doing. They are not sticking out of the mouth straight. They are all resting in angle. I do something similar. Rest the upper button behind upper teeth, and rest the bottom of stem on lower lips. No need to bite. Just need to put it where it's just stable enough not to drop out of you mouth. If you're lunting, that's little different since you need more stability. Still I can have short walk without an issue.
I don't often clench my pipe in my mouth. If I put my straight pipe in my mouth I and can keep it in place by lightly pressing my molars down on it. I have mostly bent pipes so when the pipe is in my mouth I will hold the pipe with my hand.
There has been a couple of recent threads eg “Show Us Your Most Comfortable Pipe” and “How And Why Do You Clench”
I’m sure if you do a search there will be quite a few threads on the subject.
Most of my pipes are estates. Some come with deep divots in the stems, others are pristine.
If teeth marks worry you, just use silicon/rubber bits. Which is what I do.
You’ll work out what works best for you.
If you have no thoughts of re-selling your pipes, then teeth chatter is purely aesthetic, and a matter for yourself solely.
I’m sure if you do a search there will be quite a few threads on the subject.
Most of my pipes are estates. Some come with deep divots in the stems, others are pristine.
If teeth marks worry you, just use silicon/rubber bits. Which is what I do.
You’ll work out what works best for you.
If you have no thoughts of re-selling your pipes, then teeth chatter is purely aesthetic, and a matter for yourself solely.