Vulcanite Stem Cover/Sheath

[Bassman65]

Hey all, might be a silly question, but thought I’d ask.

My Savinelli Bing’s Favourite came with a little sheath that you can place over the stem. With it on, no light gets to the stem on the rack.

Why don’t they sell these? Like a little golf club head cover. Maybe they don’t work to prevent oxidation?

 

[sardonicus87]

Light isn't the problem as much as it is air, specifically oxygen.

Heat and light just make it faster.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Just keep them clean and oiled or wax they'll keep fine. I just toss mine in boxes after cleaning an they don't have an oxidation issue.

 

[bullet08]

UV protected stem condom? Now there's a million dollar idea!

 

[Bassman65]

UV protected stem condom? Now there's a million dollar idea!

I thought so. Lol.

 

[mingc]

Light isn't the problem as much as it is air, specifically oxygen.

Heat and light just make it faster.

I beg to differ. I used to think so. I keep my pipes in a China hutch with glass cabinet doors in my sunniest room. Many years ago, I thought to cover my stems in wax to keep the air out. I'd wipe the wax off when I smoked the pipe but otherwise store them with the wax on. I used Renaissance Wax. It did not work. The stems still tarnished. What does work is stem sheaths that I make out of thick black art paper to keep the light out. I've them on all my pipes that I display in the hutch. I started doing this in 2019 or so. Note that they are not airtight. No tarnish so far <knock on wood>.

 

[Sigmund]

UV is a very big problem. Atmosphere has a large impact as well. Special oils, mineral oil and wax help protect them. As mentioned by pipe makers here...lower grade vulcanite discolors faster.

 

[Bassman65]

Just keep them clean and oiled or wax they'll keep fine. I just toss mine in boxes after cleaning a they don't have an oxidation issue.

Yeah. It’s just a favourite, so wanted to display it on the rack. Maybe it’s box time.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Yeah. It’s just a favourite, so wanted to display it on the rack. Maybe it’s box time.

I used to do racks but they're just too easily knocked over.

 

[Bassman65]

I hear ya. My wife’s already knocked one pipe off the rack and broke its’ stem. A sad day. Had to move it.

I used to do racks but they're just too easily knocked over.

 

[Bassman65]

Had some left over felt around the house. Sewed myself a sample stem cover for a Vauen I have.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I hear ya. My wife’s already knocked one pipe off the rack and broke its’ stem. A sad day. Had to move it.

These fellows prompted my move from racks.

 

[Bassman65]

Very cute! You couldn’t get mad at them. I’d hate to know what my girl would do if she could ever reach mine. She tore a Home Depot plastic bucket to shreds for the hell of it.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Very cute! You couldn’t get mad at them. I’d hate to know what my girl would do if she could ever reach mine. She tore a Home Depot plastic bucket to shreds for the hell of it.

Look at that grin!

 

[Bassman65]

Yeah. She smiles for the camera!

 

[Honkytonk Man]

Yeah. She smiles for the camera!

Yeah, she's smiling, just like my boy does.

 

[Bassman65]

The bully breeds are cute as hell. Unfortunately, she can be a 90 pound fog machine. They tend to gulp their food leading to interesting and embarrassing results. She can clear the room big time!

You often have to legitimately blame the dog! We were all laughing shortly before I wrote this, because you could hear her ripping some nasty ones from the other room.

Thank God they’re cute.