New Holiday Pipe?

[Spinkle]

Colored stems are critically underrated, in my opinion

I couldn't agree more. Though I do enjoy black stems on certain pipes, I love a good coloured acrylic stem. That Dolomiti I posted earlier in the thread that my wife bought me for Christmas looks so much better in person, the stem is like creamy caramel or something. Makes me want to smoke even more if that's possible.

 

[Spinkle]

I much prefer acrylic stems over vulcanite stems

I far prefer acrylic as well. I like to clench and I like knowing I can do so without worrying about marking up the stem unless I'm really tough on it.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Colored stems are critically underrated

I love a good coloured acrylic stem.

Ebonite comes in a wide range of solid and mixed colors. Not a fan of acrylic myself.

 

[supperthyme]

Ebonite comes in a wide range of solid and mixed colors. Not a fan of acrylic myself.

Right ? I look over VF's rod stock sometimes. I don't have a strong preference for acrylic vs ebonite, it's just that plain black in either material can be a little lackluster depending on color/finish of the stummel.

 

[Chasing Embers]

it's just that plain black in either material can be a little lackluster depending on color/finish of the stummel.

It's a fine line. An overly ornate stem can detract from a well crafted stummel as well.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I do love bakelite though.

 

[Spinkle]

Ebonite comes in a wide range of solid and mixed colors. Not a fan of acrylic myself.

Does this material suffer from the oxidation problem like vulcanite does? That's another reason why I'm not a huge fan of vulcanite.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Does this material suffer from the oxidation problem like vulcanite does?

Ebonite, vulcanite, brindle, and cumberland are the same material. It will oxidize over time, but excluding estates I've never had a stem to oxidize. After each smoke I clean the stem with a soft cloth and wipe it down with Obsidian Oil.

 

[olkofri]

It's a fine line. An overly ornate stem can detract from a well crafted stummel as well.

Definitely. This is what I poorly tried to convey in my Dolomiti vs Oceano post earlier. I'm not opposed to colour, but it has to have its place and, most importantly, maintain harmony. Blue stem on an orangey stummel = nice (even the Oceano tries to do this, although their stummels are just too dark for colour harmony); but a, say, yellow stem on a green pipe, or viceversa = ugh!

 

[Chasing Embers]

Definitely. This is what I poorly tried to convey in my Dolomiti vs Oceano post earlier. I'm not opposed to colour, but it has to have its place and, most importantly, maintain harmony. Blue stem on an orangey stummel = nice (even the Oceano tries to do this, although their stummels are just too dark for colour harmony); but a, say, yellow stem on a green pipe, or viceversa = ugh!

Now this I could live with.

 

[olkofri]

Now this I could live with.

See what I mean? That's nicely matched. ?

 

[Spinkle]

Ebonite, vulcanite, brindle, and cumberland are the same material. It will oxidize over time, but excluding estates I've never had a stem to oxidize. After each smoke I clean the stem with a soft cloth and wipe it down with Obsidian Oil.

I think for me right now I am more afraid of damaging my pipes as well so acrylic makes me feel safer. Perhaps in a few years when I get more of the knack of pipe maintenance I will explore some of these other materials. They also tend to be more expensive. As an example of what I mean, the first pipe I purchased rather than inherited is my favorite but I did not know much at the time and I’ve put some major rim darkening on it that I now regret. I think until I’ve proven to myself that I can keep pipes like yours in good condition it’s better for me to stick with the simpler and more durable acrylic.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I think for me right now I am more afraid of damaging my pipes as well so acrylic makes me feel safer. Perhaps in a few years when I get more of the knack of pipe maintenance I will explore some of these other materials. They also tend to be more expensive. As an example of what I mean, the first pipe I purchased rather than inherited is my favorite but I did not know much at the time and I’ve put some major rim darkening on it that I now regret. I think until I’ve proven to myself that I can keep pipes like yours in good condition it’s better for me to stick with the simpler and more durable acrylic.

I love simple too!?

 

[mso489]

Oh damn, I wasn't going to get a new holiday pipe, but after visiting PC's site six or eight times, admiring their new inventory of Kaywoodie Saxons, I applied some holiday gift cash to the cause and ordered a small straight blast billiard, nice light weight, but with an ample bowl. TAD is TAD, and have a healthy and prosperous New Year! I'm compelled by the old time U.S. factory pipes. There was a time in the fifties when, for most pipe smokers, Kaywoodie was the best, and Dunhill was second choice, and less expensive. Imagine that. This Kaywoodie will join another Saxon on my rack, a straight panel billiard, almost a pot (short bowl). These pipes and others of their ilk remind me of 1950's U.S. cars, with a kind of endearing sturdy look.

 

[mso489]

Followup to my post just above. As we were having a late lunch, I noticed two palm sized packages left over from our present opening, each with a tree ornament enclosing a nice crisp bill as a gift. So now, my holiday pipe is almost completely paid for! Merry Christmas again! The tiny gifts had fallen down in the pile of presents and clutter of wrapping paper and resurfaced on New Years Day. Funny how they combined to just about pay for the TAD.