Pipe Bits - Do they work?

[85royals]

I really like them but I got a little sideways on size on a bunch from E-bay they are BIG comepaired to what I can get at my local B & M.. so they fit some but not all of my pipes 12mm is big LoL live and learn

 

[gnatjulio]

I use them. Started out with them. Wont fit on a couple ofmy Mario Grandis tho. Shrink wrap sounds interesting.

 

[choppa]

I just ordered some to go with the new pipes i bought. I guess I'll give them a try and let you know what I think.
Wow... A 10 min. video for shrink tube... Sorry my ADD wouldn't let me sit through it ;*)

 

[oldredbeard]

I'm with Philip, I like them on some of my pipes, but not all. However I do prefer the ones without a lip, it does get a bit thick.

 

[clyde]

Tried softies but couldn't adjust to the extra thickness.

 

[pipesicle]

you could use a hair dryer instead of the candle.

 

[taerin]

I'm a 50% clencher 50% holder, I like taking my softy bits on and off all the time and feeling the natural surface of the stem. This doesn't quite work for me, I just try getting stems that are not real wide and if they are, not real thick. I love cobs because you can replace the stems for 50 cents or $8 for a freehand without sending the pipe in. For better briars with stems that trigger gag reflex with the pipe softy, I am probabley just going to either be a holder or to get an extra stem or two made for clenching, and keep the original stem safe.

 

[chopz]

i tried them, not to protect pipe stems, but my teeth. pipes are cheaper and easier to replace, as far as i know. anyway, i couldn't stand the feel and figured i'd just clench harder because they're softer.

 

[madhatter]

I love them. Kneed to tru the lipless ones.

 

[joshwolftree]

I tried them out when I first started...yeah no I'm a clencher and without the firmness of the stem it's just not as comfortable to me. They also tend to make my mouth water worse. I was out camping and after the first one or two bowls the softies came off and were deposited with the used pipe cleaners on top of the fire

 

[keith929]

I use them on a few of my pipes and I hate them. Unfortunately they are a necessary evil since it is impossible to clench some of my pipes without them.

 

[J. Mayo]

They definitely do their job of protecting the stem from teeth marks. As many have mentioned, comfort is just a matter of preference. I personally love them because I tend to clench pretty hard and have a habit of somewhat chewing or grinding on things like toothpicks and I catch myself subconsciously doing it with a pipe in my teeth. The rubber bit makes my pipes much more comfortable to clench IMO and definitely saves the stems from the abuse I put them through.

 

[photoman13]

Since posting this thread I learned that I hate clenching so it really isn't an issue for me any more. I will say that for me they were comfortable on certain pipes and uncomfortable on others.

 

[sjpipesmoker]

I use them on all my pipes.

 

[voorhees]

I use one on my newest Savinelli pipe. I clench, so it helps alot.

 

[gmwolford]

Like many of you, the pipe makes the difference as to if the bits are needed/usable. Overall I think they are too thick, too, but they definitely protect the stems.

 

[eaglerico]

@Photoman - I couldn't help but notice you posted you hate clenching but have an avatar of you clenching your pipe. lol Just thought it funny. :rofl:
I just started using the rubber bits and i have to say it actually helps my TMJ. I really like heavier pipes and occasionally clench to use both hands. The larger pipes would make my TMJ act up. I do not even feel lighter pipes in my mouth with the bits on the stem.

 

[yachtexplorer]

I used to use them but switched over to food-grade, heat shrink tubing. Cut a 3/4 inch length and shrink it around the bit using a heat gun. They hardly add any extra thickness to the bit and are easy to replace when they start getting chewed up.

 

[ssjones]

Where does one find food grade heat shrink?

 

[photoman13]

eaglerico, have to pose for the pictures lol.
Yachtexplorer that is a killer pipe you have there. I too would be curious where you found food grade heat shrink tubing.