Stems, Stems, Stems

[ssjones]

I agree with Bigvan on Cumberland stems (nee brindle). Vulcanite Cumberland colored stems will oxidize and of course acrylic Cumberland colored stems will not.
If you clench, acrylic stems will be much more durable. I like the feel of Vulcanite in my mouth, but I'm mostly a hand smoker. I do have a few acrylic stems for when I know clenching will be helpful (walking outside, car shows, etc.)

 

[pipercanuck]

I have a handmade pipe which I bought in Cuba last July. It has a very nicely crafted hardwood stem. What about wooden stems? Any experiences? How does vulcanite differ from wood as far as performance?

 

[virginiacob]

Don't forget about bamboo stems. We use bamboo on our cob pipes but some briar pipe makers will use bamboo for their stems in order to add a unique look to their pipes as well. Bamboo is actually a grass rather than a wood and can be very strong and durable. There's also quite a variety of both native as well as Asian bamboos that have been used over the years for pipe stems. Here in the U.S. rivercane (also referred to as canebrake) was a native bamboo that was commonly used with reed stem clay pipes (for example, the Pamplin clay pipes) as well as early corn cob pipes. Later, as Asian varieties became more available, you start to see them used for pipe stems as well. Today a lot of modern pipe makers carefully select bamboo for its unique shape and node size and spacing in order to add a unique design element to their pipes.

 

[maxx]

Here's a pipe with a Bakelite stem. I have it in my wish list at smokingpipes, but it's now sold. It was quite affordable, under $200, I believe.

http://m.smokingpipes.com/pipes/estate/united-states/moreinfo.cfm?product_id=167306

 

[spartanfan]

I know of one pipe carver that will use a material he calls 'bowling ball' from time to time. He calls it that due to that fact that it is of the same polyurethane resin bowling balls are made. I have seen very few pipe makers that use this and I have not smoked a pipe made from this material so have no idea how it compares to vulcanite or Lucite.

 

[misterlowercase]

Two years ago, MLC said:

My favorite type of stem is the "military mount"

...and it really was, I went apeshit for them!

Not so much now, my inner Yoda has grown and the Force has moved me toward other avenues. :P
Just thought I'd add this link:

http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/the-button-and-the-bit

...it turned out to be a pretty good thread

::

 

[antbauers]

For sure that's a great thread. I bookmarked and favorited that a long time ago. Thanks for always sharing great info MLC!

 

[allan]

How to tell acrylic from vulcanite?
If your teeth feel like you are biting on a test tube, you've got acrylic
Obviously, I'm not an acrylic fan

 

[okiescout]

I really enjoyed the read you posted, mrlowercase. Especially, Trevor Talberts statement
"Agreed on all the points listed above. One other concern is marketing - There are many collectors of high grades who erroneously believe that acrylic stems are not "high grade", and if you're not using German ebonite then you're not doing a proper high-end pipe. This opinion is wrong as wrong can be, but it's very prevalent, so it has to be taken into account when choosing materials if you want to sell your pipe for $500+"

 

[brass]

For me, the cut of the stem is as important as the material. The stem can be very uncomfortable if it is too round or too sharp or too thin or too thick.
I believe someone mentioned in another thread that a new material of polyester type material combines the advantages of acrylic and Vulcanite but haven't actually seen it offered anywhere.
Pax

 

[misterlowercase]

A couple of more links,

since wood stems are mentioned here I thought I'd add a couple of threads with some info on the subject of briar stems - it seems many people have certain misconceptions about them...
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/are-wood-stems-better-than-plastic-stems
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/wayne-teipen-made-me-an-all-briar-pipe
:P

 

[cigrmaster]

Cob stems are made of cheese, that is too freaking funny bigvan.
The older you get the more you will appreciate a stem made of vulcanite. Acrylic stems never used to bother me, but since I am old and decrepit, and my teeth are falling out every time I bite into an apple, I only smoke vulcanite stems. Also a big difference between the 2 is that when scratching your nuts with your pipe stem vulcanite is way more comfy, at least that is what peck tells me as I have no experience in that.

 

[peckinpahhombre]

Harris, you are quite right. I often sneak into your palatial Florida retreat late at night and scratch my nuts with your wonderous vulcanite stems. The Rads are my favourites. He makes such a comfortable stem.

 

[cigrmaster]

peck, I was wondering where that nasty dirty sock, rancid cheese type smell was coming from. You could have at least stuck to my acrylic stems if you were a gentleman. You also might want to think about washing your nuts more than twice a year, ya dirty pig.

 

[maxpeters]

Didn't notice the mention of Ashtonite stems. I always liked them myself.
"Essentially, Ashtonite is a blend of Vulcanite and Plexiglas. Vulcanite had been the standard stem material for English briar pipe for almost a century before Taylor developed Ashtonite. Vulcanite had clear advantages; it was soft on the teeth, easily worked with as a stem material and inexpensive by comparison to other materials used for stems at the beginning of the 20th century (the alternatives a century ago included materials like amber, which was exceedingly expensive). The disadvantages of Vulcanite are primarily that it is soft, and, therefore, easily damaged by clenching too hard on the pipe. Also, since Vulcanite is, quite simply, vulcanized rubber, it oxidizes when exposed to oxygen. This gives it an ugly appearance and a very unpleasant taste. Plexiglas, frequently used in Italy, solves many of the problems of Vulcanite. However, in eliminating the problems of durability and oxidation, one also loses the primary advantage of Vulcanite: Plexiglas is hard on the teeth. Ashtonite helps to find a common groundit has much of the durability of Plexiglas (it doesnt turn, nor is it easily damaged through wear) and yet is sufficiently softer than Plexiglas to make the stem more comfortable in the mouth. Though there is no real solution to the problem and the decision of what material to use in stem making really is a balance of various advantages and disadvantages, Ashtonite helps to fulfill a much needed middle ground."

 

[samon]

My MM cob stem is full of nibble marks from clenching while working. It's acrylic, but softer than the other acrylics I have.. maybe they are made of cheese? Lol not the eating kind, but I still wouldn't trust it near a fat mouse!

The thing I like about the orange/yellow colour on the MM cob stems is they darken over time, leaving them looking nice and vintage-y.
(this thread needs more pcitures)

 

[aldecaker]

One of my straight Legends has become a particular favorite, and so sees a lot of use. When I eventually wore a tooth hole in the bit, I bobbed it off with a hacksaw blade, filed a new button, and pressed on nosewarmer-style.

 

[robwoodall]

Yep. I love MM stems.
They are, in fact, cheap, cheesy crap, but they are comfortable, easily replaced cheap, cheesy crap.
I haven't bitten through a single one, yet, but I have six spares in a drawer for when I do.
One of my new favorite pipes is a horn-stemmed Rhodesian from Ropp. I love it, but what am I gonna do if I bite through or break that stem? Where would I even buy a replacement horn stem? How much would it cost?
When I'm mowing the lawn, hiking, throwing a ball with my son or working on the motorcycle, give me a Missouri Meerschaum with a cheap, plastic stem any day!

 

[dude]

Anyone else have a pipe with a Horn Stem? I purchased a Ropp pipe recently with one. I like it but I am reluctant to clench it much as it feels a bit soft. (and also elegant)