papajoe, ref stingers (usually not called stings): These harken back to maybe the 1920s or 30s when they were
introduced both as filters and moisture reducers, as a competitive edge when pipe sales were highly competitive.
Most Forums members seem to remove them if possible; I do. I save them, should I re-sell the pipe, but I haven't
done that yet. Other pipes, the stinger is part of the pipe, as with Kaywoodie Drinkless models. Kaywoodie also
makes regular non-stinger pipes with push bits, like the Saxon, which I prefer. I try to avoid stingers, as when
buying a Parker, which has some stingers and other pipes without. I have two filter pipes which I maintain as such,
a Dr. Grabow Royalton bulldog, and one of my MM cobs, which serve when I want the flavor of a full-strength blend
somewhat muted, which isn't often, but it happens. As with filtered cigarettes, I suspect that filtered pipes just increase
the number of bowls smoked, thus defeating the precautionary health benefits. For whatever reasons -- my choice
of tobacco and/or my style of smoking -- I am not much bothered by moisture in any of my pipes, straight or bent,
so that other benefit of filters is somewhat lost on me. My filterless pipes don't wheeze or gurgle or get unduly wet,
mostly.
