Juma and nylon, you may pay me now.?Chambers this has fallen on you to fix.
All engineering solutions are compromises by definition. In fact, finding the optimal compromise for a given application/situation is a good definition of what engineering is.Askwith uses a polyester stem material that I like almost as much as vulcanite.
Do you think, over time, if you slowly replaced your acrylic stems you would get pipes you like into your rotation?Wipe oil on them after each smoke and they don't oxidize. I've yet to have a newly bought stem turn, nor have estates that I've cleaned. My acrylic stemmed pipes rarely get used, and one of my 904s likely never will because of it.
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Do you smoke outside or inside where there are big windows that are not tinted against the sun? All my pipes except 2 have Ebonite stems made from high quality German vulcanite. None of that cheaper smelly shit that some of the carvers use to save money.I am still waiting to see a vulcanite stem that won't oxidize for me (including Dunhill, Ashtons, Savs, etc.) I polish them back to smooth hard black, and I use obsidian oil every time, all the time. Not stored in the sun. And every one starts to oxidize after 20-30 smokes. After a few years it will be green and gross even after oiling. I am a clencher, and maybe I have acid mouth. I like the feel of vulcanite much better, but vulcanite stem maintenance is a PITA. I loathe the day when acrylic stems start to hurt my teeth.
None remain in my collection, I recently got rid of them.Do you think, over time, if you slowly replaced your acrylic stems you would get pipes you like into your rotation?
Maybe because it's a bitch to carve?Why don't manufacturers make stems out of a softer material like silicone? It's heat resistant, softer to the bite but rigid enough to hold shape and durable.
Unfortunately, I can't tell you. But I can show you what 140 year old Vulcanite stem looks like before restoration:If not maintained...what would 40 year old Vulcanite look like?
Not sure if I want to stick something in my mouth that looks like a piece of recycled cooking equipment ?Why don't manufacturers make stems out of a softer material like silicone? It's heat resistant, softer to the bite but rigid enough to hold shape and durable.