Mouthpiece Types? Pros and Cons

[Flatfish]

Fishtail?
P-Lip?
Dental?
Others (if there are others)

What are the purposes and pros and cons of each type?

What (if any) is considered "normal"

Just curious.

 

[verporchting]

Fishtail is normal and probably the most common.

P-lip is normal on Peterson pipes. Love ‘em or hate em.

Dental was a marketing fad that isn’t commonly seen but still available - I know Falcon still has it.

There was another called comfort stem on some British pipes but I don’t know much about it.

Then there’s the infamous Didimauw stem / chew toy favored by a certain moderator.

 

[lraisch]

Dental stems were supposedly for denture wearers who had difficulty clenching. There are also "Bite proof" stems that use two smaller draft holes for greater strength, sometimes also marketed as less prone to causing tongue bite.
Of course there are also different materials used, most commonly vulcanite and acrylic.

 

[Epip Oc'Cabot]

Dental stems were supposedly for denture wearers who had difficulty clenching. There are also "Bite proof" stems that use two smaller draft holes for greater strength, sometimes also marketed as less prone to causing tongue bite.
Of course there are also different materials used, most commonly vulcanite and acrylic.

Interesting…. I had not heard of a “dental” stem. Anyone have a photograph of such a beast? I do not have dentures, but the idea of a different stem for them seems interesting and I wonder what it looks like.

 

[MarcosEZLN]

Interesting…. I had not heard of a “dental” stem. Anyone have a photograph of such a beast? I do not have dentures, but the idea of a different stem for them seems interesting and I wonder what it looks like.

 

[OzPiper]

No right or wrong. Nor better or worse
It's what suits you

I prefer fishtail bits.
I don't mind P-lips
I have quite a few pipes with rounded orific bits
Personally I find the Charatan double comfort bits downright ugly
I use rubber softie bits all the time. But a lot of people can't stand them.

There are people who actively dislike P-lips. Others love them
A lot love the softer stems on MM cobs. I've never smoked a cob, so I can't comment.
Then there are those who prefer vulcanite over acrylic. Or vice-versa
Quite a few are very particular over how thin or wide the bite zone is and will not tolerate a thick bit/button.

What I am saying, in a very long-winded way, is that this IS a personal preference. What works for me, or indeed the majority, may not work for you.

You won't know until you try

 

[ssjones]

I can't stand the plasticky stems on Cobs.
My advice, experiment with inexpensive estate pipes until you find your preferance.

 

[didimauw]

Fishtail is normal and probably the most common.

P-lip is normal on Peterson pipes. Love ‘em or hate em.

Dental was a marketing fad that isn’t commonly seen but still available - I know Falcon still has it.

There was another called comfort stem on some British pipes but I don’t know much about it.

Then there’s the infamous Didimauw stem / chew toy favored by a certain moderator.

Now you know why I prefer acrylic! ?

 

[bluegrassbrian]

Here's an example of a dental or "denture" type stem, from an old Charatan catalog.

 

[olkofri]

Round is what works best for me. Too bad it's too rare.

 

[seanv]

Acrylic is my preferred material. Fishtail over Plip but I enjoy both

 

[sandollars]

I prefer fishtail with a softy bit. I love to clench but like to keep my pipes mark-free

 

[runscott]

Left out my favorite - the plain old non-fishtail non-orific stem, like the old Dunhills. This 1935 Dunhill 120 hasn't yet been completely restored, but you get the idea.

Below it is a Dunhill shape 53 - by 1958 this stem option was a touch wider, but still didn't get the F/T designation.

 

[OzPiper]

Round is what works best for me. Too bad it's too rare.

Pre-1920s orific bits. ?

And reed stems on Old Dominion cobs, I believe.

 

[olkofri]

Pre-1920s orific bits. ?

And reed stems on Old Dominion cobs, I believe.

Vauen Auenland series.

Been thinking of having a pipe maker/fixer make me stems with round bits for the pipes I already have.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

I clinch and prefer wide, thin stems with a decent button.

 

[bullet08]

Anything with pronounced button that will park nicely on upper teeth. P-lip works very nicely. So does most fishtails.

 

[Jef]

Over the years I have learned (for myself) that a thin fish tail stem made of acrylic is best. Why? Vulcanite stems can discolor quickly in many situations. IE moisture, rain, sun, etc. And it is a pain keeping them looking new. Not to mention that you can chew through them. You don't have that issue with acrylic.

I would look for a shallow button as well. I had a nice pipe with a large acrylic button and it hurt my teeth when trying to clench it. Acrylic doesn't give. I just purchased a Winslow Crown with an acrylic stem. It is my first acrylic stem in many years. I love it. It is very comfortable.

Jef

 

[weezell]

Vulcanite stems can discolor quickly in many situations. IE moisture, rain, sun, etc. And it is a pain keeping them looking new. Not to mention that you can chew through them. You don't have that issue with acrylic.

That my friend is a WINNER... ? ?

 

[molst]

I think a stem needs to be as thin as possible right behind the button in order to be very comfortable when clenching. Also, the button should not be so large that it touches the roof of the mouth. I have only bought a P-lip once, but for me that was just too large in all dimensions.