To All You Clenchers Out There

[--dante--]

I have never used those rubber protectors. I tried one once and didn't care for it. I smoke cobs almost exclusively, though with custom stems. I never have issues with the bit getting chewed up. I think it's because I don't clench for long periods, and cobs are quite light, so there is less pressure required to clench when I do so.

 

[ray47]

I never wear my dentures when I'm smoking a pipe, but I do use the rubber softie bits to protect my gums. Before dentures, I used either the softie bits or 3/8" latex surgical tubing. It had nothing to do with my concern for chatter or whether or not I was going to sell my pipes. It was all about comfort.

 

[Scottishgaucho]

I like to clench so prefer the smaller lighter weighted pipes. I'd never be able to comfortably clench most heavyweight pipes without doing damage to the mouthpiece or myself.

 

[Spinkle]

I may have mentioned this before somewhere, but I have Bell's Palsy and so it makes it difficult to form a seal with my lips on the right side (I lost my ability to whistle when I got it as well). I can only clench by holding the stem between my teen on the left side now. I try to be as careful as possible and can normally avoid chatter - I prefer acrylic stems so this is less of an issue. With vulcanite I do find some scratching from time to time but not a big deal.

 

[telescopes]

Duh, this is why we have lucite. Bowling balls, they aren’t just for breakfast

 

[Chasing Embers]

Duh, this is why we have lucite. Bowling balls, they aren’t just for breakfast

Smokers chew through those too. More difficult to shape and remove scratches from as well.

 

[telescopes]

Smokers chew through those too. More difficult to shape and remove scratches from as well.

View attachment 96480

Well raccoons have been know to chew off their hands, LOL.

 

[telescopes]

I have never used those rubber protectors. I tried one once and didn't care for it.

You might if you lived in Palm Springs?

 

[--dante--]

You might if you lived in Palm Springs?

You're talking to a guy with 21 years military service -- I get the joke haha

 

[hauntedmyst]

I use silicone softie bits and this stuff. It's a Silicone Self Fusing Bicycle Handlebar Self Bonding Repair Tape that is super comfortable.

 

[Country Bladesmith]

Plastic cob stems and vulcanite pick up a little chatter from my clenching. Acrylic isn’t bothered in the slightest. I don’t worry about it one way or the other. Plastic stems are easily replaced for next to nothing. The chatter I leave behind on vulcanite is slight. These pipes are mine until I kick the bucket, so I guess if my son, or whoever ends up with these, wants to sand out my slight tooth marks, they can when the time comes. ?‍

 

[telescopes]

You're talking to a guy with 21 years military service -- I get the joke haha

We get guys down here from 21 Palms all the time. From what I hear, their Sargents warn them about the dangers of getting chatter on their stem, but you know Marines...they enjoy living dangerously, Ha, Ha.

Sorry, I just couldn't help it...

 

[chopper]

Not anyone else. I just like the look and feel of the smooth surface of an un-beat up pipe. Plus, when I first tried pipe smoking, I borrowed a buddy's pipe that was all chattered up and I wanted to avoid that and have been lipping ever since ha!

Yeah, I can sympathise as I'm not a fan of tooth chatter on stems either.
Not sure exactly why I find it so unappealing.

It's not much of a problem for me since I rarely clench but when I do [like on the rare occasion when I'm smoking while driving or working outside] I've usually got a rubber bit on my pipe for that purpose.

Not that I'm fond of the rubber bits per se because they fit few stems where they don't interfere with the smoking experience. So I place them an inch back from the end of the bit so I can clench when both my hands are required.

If I wanted to clench regularly, I'd probably smoke MM cobs for that purpose, reserving my briars for when I'm able to use both hands.
MM cob stems are cheap to replace.

 

[Jimmy_Jack]

Im not worried at all about marks or chatter. I am having a hell of a time finding that perfect bent clencher though. Something that has the right drape and such for my face and beard. Working on it...but still not great.

 

[Recon Paul]

It's more of a balance than a clench for me. I clench if I'm moving around but it tends to give me headache. Also don't care if the business end of the pipe looks like it's been doing the business.

 

[burleybreath]

I never knew anyone gave a flying scheiss until I started reading these internet forums.

 

[cfreud]

@burleybreath ... Welcome to forums. Everyone has an opinion on the slightest thing involving pipe smoking and more. (Said kindly).

Truly, it amazes me. I have been smoking pipes for 30 years and do not give a thought to common topics on these boards like drying tobacco (I do), how I pack my pipe (I don't know how I pack my pipe. I just do), smoking slowly (the answer to 'Why is my pipe smoking hot?').

As for lipping a pipe? Never heard of it until this thread, he typed as he was clenching his meer.

Cheers and to each their own.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

The very idea reminds me of clear plastic covered furniture and people who wear white cotton gloves to smoke meers. I say, use the shit out of it.

 

[hauntedmyst]

@burleybreath

Truly, it amazes me. I have been smoking pipes for 30 years and do not give a thought to common topics on these boards like drying tobacco (I do), how I pack my pipe (I don't know how I pack my pipe. I just do), smoking slowly (the answer to 'Why is my pipe smoking hot?').

I hear ya. I keep waiting for the next fade in pipe smoking to storm the forum...I imagine it will be something like gourmet Civet cat tobacco that has been passed through the beasts digest track, pressed into flakes and aged. Coffee nuts have moved on from Civet Cat poop coffee to Elephant poop coffee.

 

[krizzose]

As someone who cares almost nothing for the appearance of the outside of my pipes, I’m not concerned with teeth marks or how ugly softy bits may be, but I do like the comfort of a softy bit or friction tape on some of my pipes. I do always cut the button off of them. Some pipes are fine without anything, so I can’t really give advice. It’s all subjective anyway, so just experiment and find what works best for you. If anyone objects to your use of a softy bit, politely note the objection and hope they find more satisfaction in their own goddamned business.