Size does matter.

[ohin3]

I'm a clencher and thus a small pipe lover. I have sold off or traded most of my larger pipes for smaller. Still have a couple large Savinellis that don't see much action because, as I said, I'm a clencher. Having recently been reunited with SG Squadron Leader, I have been smoking it steady in almost every pipe I have beacuase I really want to write a proper review of this tobacco. Today being a holiday, I have time to sit with and hold a pipe so I decided to load one of those Big Savinellis with a very large and well packed chunk of Squadron Leader. What a difference bowl size makes. It is very much the same as it is in a small bowl, but seems softer and more round. Very much like adding a tablespoon of water to a firey single malt whisky. It's no wonder that we are all addicted to this fine behaviour.

 

[bootlegbonvivant]

Haha, I've tried smoking some smaller bowls and ended up disappointed that it went by so fast! I enjoy the larger bowls for a good hour long smoke and try to never force a little bit of time for a little bowl of tobacco. Either I have the time, or I don't.

 

[ohin3]

It's not really a matter of having the time so much as it is wanting to have the use of my hands while I'm smoking.

 

[pstlpkr]

Ohin... I agree that the pipe does make a difference when it comes to particular types of blends being allowed to express themselves properly.

I too am a clencher, however; I have kept all of my pipes with two notable exceptions. And, those I swapped straight up for two other pipes.
I have bowls large enough to produce an echo :puffpipe: , a couple that I can barely get the tip of my little finger into, and a wide variety of pipes with different geometries and bowl sizes, in-between. While I have only one pipe dedicated to a particular blend type (Uncle Arthur's Tapered Apple) they all exhibit their own personality where different blends are concerned.

::

 

[admin]

I'm a clencher too Phil. I'm usually on the computer, or reading a book or magazine when I am smoking. And just because of habit, even watching a movie, I will clench most of the time.
I would like to know how we define small, medium and large pipes.
I think most of my pipes are "average" size or "medium". I have a few I would consider small, and a couple of large freehands that I hardly ever smoke. My jaws and teeth have become strong enough to clench the large freehands for 5 - 10 minutes, but I'm just not into these huge pipes so much.

 

[mattia76]

I am a clencher 75% of the time. Therefore, I have naturally added more small bowled pipes to the collection as of late. The exceptions are bigger pipes with a nice bend to them, which allow me to drive, type, change diapers, etc., with no problems whatsoever.

 

[admin]

Do you guys normally clench on one side more than the other.
I switch off, but think I clench on the left side 75% of the time. It just seems more comfortable for a longer period of time on the side.

 

[ohin3]

most of my pipes are Dunhill group 3 with a few leaning towards 2. I tend to prefer that 34 to 36 gram weight range with a few that are closer to group 4 and and a few that are closer to group 2.

 

[papipeguy]

I'm a big guy and I like big bowls (somehow that doesn't sound just right). I probably clench on the left more than the right in the same percentage range as Kevin.

 

[admin]

Ah, ok. Most of my pipes are the size of Dunhill Group 4, including my Dunhills, but I have some Group 3 sizes as well.

 

[teamhavoc28]

I clench on my right side all the time. Tried clenching on the left and just doesn't have the comfort feel. I usually smoke what I'd consider an average billiard size. figure if I slow down I can enjoy a normal bowl just as much as a giant one.

 

[hobie1dog]

do all you clenchers use the rubber bit protectors?

 

[admin]

@hobie1dog

do all you clenchers use the rubber bit protectors?

No way Jose!

 

[romeowood]

Clench? I'm like a teething 2-year-old. More than half of my pipes are around a group size 3 or smaller, and the largest is probably a large group 4 (Peterson #106 billiard / Tim West freehand). And I use the heat-shrink polyolefin tubing instead of the big 'softy bits' on every single one of my pipes, to protect them as much as me. And I'm also probably 70% on the left side, I think my face is just balanced that way. :D Although both of our smileys are right-side clenchers.... :: :puffpipe:

 

[pipetrucker]

I am also a clencher as I am usually driving while smoking. I always clench on the right side, and always with a softy bit. I feel the softy bit gives a far more secure clench without the need to bite down too hard.
I am partial to larger bowls, and have even been known to clench a large gourd calabash while driving down the road. The only pipe I own that I just don't clench while driving is my Bjarne Giant. That sucker is just way too heavy to clench for more than a few seconds at a time. It's a serious hunk of briar.

Giant

 

[ohin3]

Left primarily. Switch to right now and then for a break, but it goes back to left quickly. I tried one of those softy bits once...just can't get into them. They taste like rubber and just seem to generally frig up my smoking experience.

 

[pipetrucker]

Well, I don't lick the bit so don't taste the rubber :rofl:

 

[pstlpkr]

do all you clenchers use the rubber bit protectors?

I just can't let this one slide Hobie....
The answer is No. I don't wear a raincoat in the shower either. :rofl:
It's just a joke guys.....

::

 

[pipetrucker]

LOL Lawrence. Some folks really do dislike them.
I don't take offense at the humor, I find most pipe smokers are individualists, as am I, and we all sort of do our own thing.

 

[stacen]

Good topic, my two cents... I like big bowls virtually all the time. when I know I am going to need to use my hands during a smoke I go for something with a good bend so it hangs with little effort. I always feel that the smoke is harsher and too shortlived with with smaller bowls, so even though they are more comfortable than something heavier I don't have them in my rotation very much.