Preferred Pipe Weight for Clenching

[jpmcwjr]

Balance before sheer weight, though 60 grams is as high as I like to go.

 

[sittingbear]

See, the answer IS 42... :nana:

I see what you did there! :lol:

 

[sittingbear]

I've been having TMJ issues lately, and I don't know if it's from clenching or grinding my teeth. Since I've gone for several days at a time of no smoking without relief, I'm inclined to say it's teeth-clenching. In which case, my limit is about 2 oz.

 

[warren]

For me, a nicely balanced pipe doesn't require any jaw pressure, it simply rests quietly between my back molars, jaw at rest. I might bite a bit if I'm working hard, splitting wood or such but, just normal activity; behind the camera, driving, doing post at the computer, etc, very little pressure is exerted through my jaw. Most bits force my jaw a bit wider than when it is at rest. So, that's the only pressure required to hold a nicely balanced pipe securely in place, just the tension of my jaw being forced open more than normal.
I think the bit/button would have to be less than an eighth of an inch thick before I'd experience a problem clenching and have to consciously "bite" down.

 

[warren]

I should point out, I never gave clenching and all of the attendant variables a thought until, I I started reading the various discussions. It was just something that evolved over the years. Too much thought can be a downer!

 

[mothernaturewilleatusallforbreakfast]

1.0 ounce or below, only straights for me.

 

[Chasing Embers]

@Embers: you must have steel teeth. Do you also clench your Auenland churchwarden?

I mostly clench with my dentures out. The round bits on my Auenland pipes roll around too much too clench. I have tried though!

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Agree with balance being more important than weight. The stem design is also important. Wide and thin works great, the thicker, oval stems suck. Most of my pipes are less than 2 oz and are well balanced. I have a select few that are larger and reserved for when I'm relaxed in a recliner and don't mind holding my pipe part of the time.

 

[jpmcwjr]

so I try to keep mine below 1.75 ozs (sorry, I'm American...I don't use metrics); I've found there is exponentially less stress on my teeth than say a 2+ oz pipe. But again, that's just me and my teeth talking, everyone's different.

That one's easy to remember, as it's 50 grams. (Well, maybe 1.76 oz is!) Most tins have the equivalency.
I find grams very useful in weighing pipes, tobacco and coffee. Of course, having a scale that does ounces and grams helps.

 

[cigrmaster]

Most of my pipes are in the 40-55 gram range. I do have some heavier pipes that I hold when smoking them.

 

[foggymountain]

Never weighed them but the easiest to clench are small #1, #2 or #3 (Dunhill sizes) bent pipes such as a bent billiard or Zulu.

 

[bullet08]

i must have a weak jaw. i can comfortably clench chris morgan stubby bones. i can't clench my petersons or briarworks.