Is Saddle Stem An Issue?

[fishfly]

I avoid saddle stems if at all possible as I tend to bite through them. I do clench fairly firmly.

 

[jaytex1969]

My pot shaped "Non-Barling" Barling is the only saddle bit I have in service right now.
I must admit, it is excessive in bit comfort.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

If I had This Non Barlig-Barling Pot,after a two week of use ,the bite would have fully of tooth chatter marks on it, I know this already these stems are tiny,soft and comfort to clench, I have this problem with all my older estate pipes with vulcanite stems.

 

[crashthegrey]

I'm keeping a discerning eye on the shape and weight of my intended set. Basically, Bill will let me know as he has what I am looking for available. Preferably all in the Super Grain line to maintain consistency.

 

[cortezattic]

I prefer tapered to saddle on bents, but am not insistent upon it.

Me too.

 

[seldom]

I've an early 60's Charatan's Make with the double comfort bit which is a saddle. I like it and find it comfortable to clench on walks with the dogs. But, then again, I like to smoke pots and even think that pots can look nice. Indeed the Charatan's is a squat pot so perhaps my sense of aesthetics is a bit off center from the majority of contemporary pipe smokers. Anyhow, I think the pipe looks nice sticking out of my scruffy bearded face. On the whole the scene works. Me, scruffy, hairy, feral looking with a little African street dog who is blind in one eye and the other dog with a big scar on her face from being hit by a car. And the squat pot with a saddle stem sticking out of my face. It's all very wabi-sabi. Or maybe wabi-sabi is an excessively grand description. Whatever it is, it works for me.
That said, I also like the tapered pipes I have.

 

[dottiewarden]

I love really love the saddle on top and tapered on the bottom look. It makes a pipe look very elegant indeed.

 

[bnichols23]

Well, Tom, you know me & my penchant for bullies & especially Lovats. As said by a bunch, it totally depends on the pipe. To me some shapes just look toopid with a saddle & others just dang dead 115.999% wrong without one. That's my opinion & I ain't never gonna give it up, so....

 

[prndl]

I seem to prefer saddles on straight pipes anymore.
Still tapered on the bents, tho.

 

[mso489]

I thought the original post might be too hair-splitting or over thinking, but so far the thread has turned up a variety of thoughtful ideas. Thank you for the good and various responses, and welcome to any others. Every time I buy a pipe, or look at one in window shopping, the saddle stem decision occurs to me. Good to know others have thought it over too.