Pipe Bits Necessary?

[Dmitri1516]

Title edited for caps. (Rule 9)

Please clarify if you mean a Softy Bit, or the stem of the pipe.

Hi guys, are pipe bits necessary? Cos its abit inconvenient to put my pipe with the bit into its case. Attached is how my case looks like. There is a slot inside where I usually put my pipe but with the pipe bit attached, I cannot put it in

Thanks

 

[Chasing Embers]

are pipe bits necessary?

Only if you think they are.

 

[OzPiper]

Why do I get the idea that instead of being relaxing, pipe smoking seems to induce all sorts of anxiety for you ?

Just go with the flow and do what seems natural for you and not what you think others would do.

 

[kcghost]

I feel like most guys, if you like then they are good. If not, then they are bad.

 

[Deano]

If it didnt come with the pipe its not necessary.

 

[OSOBUCO]

Necessary? Absolutely not! I use them for two reasons: 1. To protect the stem from my chompers. 2. To protect my chompers from the stem. Seriously, I find a rubber/silicone bit makes chenching much more comfortable even with vulcanite and esp with lucite stems.

 

[didimauw]

No. I refuse to use them. I think they are wierd.

 

[Bob the bear]

No they aren't. But they can make small plastic stems on cheap corncobs feel a bit better on the teeth.

 

[OverMountain]

Have one on a Peterson that has greatly improved the experience, and one on a Grabow that detracts from the experience. YMMV.

 

[The Amish Tyrant]

Instead of soft bits, I use vinyl adhesive tape wrapped around the mouthpiece.

Nothing is truly necessary to smoke a tobacco pipe except a pipe, fire source, and tobacco. The rest are accessories for convenience, cleaning, or looks.

 

[ThermionicScott]

I've never used one of those bits, but I do like to wrap a layer or two of electrical tape around the ends of harder stems, like lucite or clay.

 

[OSOBUCO]

One thing I have observed about bits. I noticed recently than one on a pipe I smoke English in soured. I removed it and wiped with isopropanol and it was fresh as new. Just an FYI and I am not sure if it was the English or that it was just time to de-funk it.

 

[K.E. Powell]

I'm partial to rubber bits because they prevent teeth marks from getting on the stem, and they make clenching easier. I don't clench very much when smoking, but when I do, I'm typically thankful for a having a bit. The only down side IMO is that after prolonged use, you are best to just clean them or even discard them. They're just bits of rubber, and eventually they will need tending to you just like anything else. It's not a big deal, but removing them can be a little annoying.

That being said, they are not absolutely necessary. Some people love them, others hate them. You mentioned that your pipe won't fit its case with the bit on. I have a meerschaum that was like that, and I had to just give up on putting a bit on it because the case was designed specifically for that pipe. Not a big deal, but something to bear in mind.

But even if you don't like them, they only cost a buck for two at the very most. You're not out of any big money if it doesn't work out.

 

[Chasing Embers]

If it didnt come with the pipe its not necessary.

So you don't need tobacco, lighters, tampers, or pipe cleaners?

 

[jpberg]

Of course they’re not necessary.
That being said, they’re necessary for me.

 

[tklee]

It up to you bro. Do you really need it? I used to put pipe bit on my pipes. But somehow, it caused me didn't know how to smoke that pipe with that extra thing in my mouth . So I took it out. I only put pipe bit on my Stanwell bulldog, coz I clench my pipea a lot, and that stem doesn't have button deep enough for me to clench, it fell out from my mouth once, and the tobacco burn my hand. I put a bit there to make it easier to clench.

 

[PipesRock]

If you picture your kids trying to sell your pipes with chewed up stems on auction sites after your dead and it makes you sad they can't get top dollar then perhaps Yes. If you picture that and think 'who cares' then perhaps Not. I only have a few pipes I use nylon tape on but only because it makes the smoke ultimately more enjoyable.

 

[Deano]

So you don't need tobacco, lighters, tampers, or pipe cleaners?

Havnt used a rubber in years.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Are you guys talking about the stems? WTF, ha ha.

 

[burleybreath]

Are you guys talking about the stems? WTF, ha ha.

Apparently not. Just the OP.