Transitioning into a Traditional Pipe clincher versus hand held

[1rekamepip]

Hey guys

Being a pipemaker for over 20 years and an avid smoker

The pipes that i make are more along the line of a Long Stem Native American style aka Peace Pipe'
recently have started trying to design a smaller (shorter) version of pipe

that would be considered more along the line of a traditional english style of tobacco pipe.
realizing that most people here own more than one pipe...
My Question is

How Important is it to you to have a pipe that is Lightweight and Easy to carry in the mouth a Clincher

versus

Maybe a little larger heavier Pipe that works better as a hand held
thanks

john

 

[irishsmoker]

I prefer a bent pipe to clench so that my hands stay free.

 

[nsfisher]

Clenchers are a must. Not all the time, but for the most part, I prefer them. Lets see some pics of the clenchers you are making

 

[hawk60ce]

I ave a few heavy ones and even those i clench on, i just put them farther in the ack of my teeth if i need too.. I find bent a litte harder to clench because i cant get it as far back in my teeth.

 

[baronsamedi]

Bent pipes are better to clench for me and the fishtail stem is better than the P-Lip type, though I have a bent P-Lip type that still clenches OK. If you like larger pipes, Meerschaum can afford you a bigger pipe with less weight. I clench a MM cob when working in the garden.

 

[cigrmaster]

I clench most of my pipes and only have a few that I hand smoke. It is very important to me that I can clench my pipe. I need my hands free to type on this site.

 

[barkar]

I seldom clench

 

[tjameson]

I like a clencher because to me part of the reason to smoke a pipe is to keep my hands free and enjoy a smoke. I'm actually considering trading my churchwarden for some tobacco.

 

[ruraldean]

Quote Hawk60ce: "...i just put them farther in the ack of my teeth if i need too.."
Were you trying that when you typed this? LOL.

 

[hawk60ce]

Hahaha

 

[hobie1dog]

Lightweight like the Savinelli models

 

[shaintiques]

Bent plips are nice clenchers

 

[chero]

Clenching always makes the inside of my checks sore from the smoke comeing out of the stem so i try not to clench.

 

[frennchy11]

I am mostly a clincher. It helps to have the rubber bits on the stem so it doesn't hurt your teeth. And my clinchers are mostly straight pipes but I don't really think the matters as long as it doesn't hurt my teeth or jaw.

 

[docrx]

Over 1.75 oz. it becomes a burden to clench IMO.

 

[jwp159]

Cobs make great clinchers ::

 

[winton]

I almost never clench.

 

[weezell]

I prefer holding over clenching..

 

[wayneteipen]

For me, it depends on the quality of the pipe and what I'm doing when smoking them. I clench a lot because I just don't usually have the time to sit and just smoke and relax. I'm usually smoking a pipe while doing something else that requires the use of my hands. I reserve lightweight mid to low grade pipes for that. I do have a decent collection of high grade pipes too that I don't routinely clench.

 

[pstlpkr]

Never been an issue with me. :D