Stem Material

[coyja]

I know nothing about stems, so I'm just curious here because I have only seen this on this pipe so far.

The core of this stem looks a like a different material from the edge. Almost porous or sponge like (it doesn't really give any, it just looks that way up close).

Also looks like if it was removed it would fit a 6mm filter perfectly.

Anyone know whats up here?

 

[sasquatch]

Yeah, that looks like an acrylic stem with a delrin or teflon fitment for the tenon. It's a good idea because acrylic tenons are both sticky and fragile. The front face was bevelled with a dull tool (a Russet Potato is my guess) so it's a little crumbly looking.

 

[sasquatch]

For example, you can buy them pre-made:
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/25-TENONS-F...PIPA-PFEIFEN-MADE-IN-ITALY-8-MM-/182776607123
Or you can cut/drill from a rod of delrin.

 

[sasquatch]

It is also possible that it is a 9mm tenon with some secondary material glued in, as you suggest, although I can't see why anyone would do it that way.

 

[coyja]

Wow, quick answer!

Its an American estate pipe, by a guy that I gather did this as a hobby in his free time.

The bowl is fantastic, and the stem is actually fine except for the finishing that you see here.
Thanks much... learn something new everyday!

 

[georged]

Since the airway is off center, I'm gonna go with someone slid the butt end of a greased, snug-fitting drill bit (or similar) into it, then filled the filter space with Gorilla Glue, and removed the bit with a turn & pull before the glue completely set.
Some people are really funny about that dead air space. I've made dozens of Delrin "space fillers" over the years for them.

 

[snagstangl]

George,
Do you think the dead space makes much difference in how the pipe smokes?

 

[joeman]

Who's this pipe made by?

 

[georged]

Do you think the dead space makes much difference in how the pipe smokes?

If it does, it does; and if it doesn't, it doesn't.
That answer might not satisfy some people, but is the only 100% correct one.
That's simply how pipes ARE. From gourd calabashes and "reverse" calabashes at one end of the spectrum, to seamless, drinking-straw-smooth, constant diameter airways on the other, good smoking and bad smoking examples of EVERY type of pipe can be found. And then THAT varies from person to person smoking the same set of pipes.
I've personally seen a 1mm shortening of tenon length change a pipe of mine from a gurgling, disgusting sump pump into the single best smoking pipe I own. I've also seen huge changes in the chamber diameter and airway size that made no difference at all.
Sorry, but there you go. The best answer I can give.

 

[coyja]

Who's this pipe made by?

Was told Steven Miller, but could find no info on him.

It turns out to not really be my style, so I'm not using it at the moment and was looking it over to possibly sell and didn't know what was up w this stem.

Here's what the bowl looks like: