I just got my pipe in the mail today and been smoking it. I'm a new pipe smoker and I was wondering if it's ok that there are a lot of bite marks on my stem from where I hold it. Am I holding in my mouth correct? Sorry kind of an awkward question.
Stem of my pipe.
- Thread starter todaystomsawyer
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Hang the bit over your bottom teeth, and hold the pipe in place with your uppers. More of a dangle than a bite.
What type of pipe is it again? A MM? I think those are mostly just a plastic bit, so if you bite down too hard, it will likely leave tooth marks. They're relatively cheap and replacement bits are fairly cheap too. It's not the end of the world but be careful not to bite down TOO hard. I cracked one of my first cob pipe stems just because they're not Vulcanite or acrylic.
Pipe make? Can you post a photo? New pipe?
It sounds like you may be chomping down too hard. But teeth marks are more of an aesthetic question than one to be concerned about unless they are really deep or the stem is very brittle (or soft!)
It sounds like you may be chomping down too hard. But teeth marks are more of an aesthetic question than one to be concerned about unless they are really deep or the stem is very brittle (or soft!)
Agree that a little info will help, but most likely you're not going to damage it. Vulcanite (hard rubber) stems are more prone to show bite marks than lucite ones. They're also usually smaller, thinner, & more subject to bite-through than lucite. Lucite ones are thicker & more comfortable if you're a "clencher." I've always preferred lucite because it's more comfortable generally, but if I like a pipe, I'll buy it, regardless of stem material.
If you're clenching too hard, your teeth & jaw will usually let you know. Some people just naturally hold their pipes tighter in their teeth than others.
If you're clenching too hard, your teeth & jaw will usually let you know. Some people just naturally hold their pipes tighter in their teeth than others.
My preference is a wide fishtail acrylic stem; but for a jaw hanger, I do enjoy the Peterson p-lip, although their newer acrylic bits seem less comfortably designed. Don’t sweat a little chatter, though. Divots are another matter, especially if it’s a fine pipe. In that case, don’t clench until you get comfortable.
Kind of a transparent yellow or orange plastic, tom? Those are softer plastic bits, & tooth marks are perfectly normal for them. 
Sorry, I the reply about it being a MM was posted as I was composing my comments. Yeah, don’t sweat it. There are replacement bits if you chew it up, including the reportedly excellent Forever Bits.
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