Whats this thing for anyways?

[bailey331]

Im a new pipe smoker. My wife gave me a Czech made briar pipe for an aniversory present last month. When I removed the stem from the shank there was a small metal bit that fell out. Im not sure what this thing is and why I need it. One friend told me to toss it. Another said it must be there for a reason, but a google search came up with nothing. My only gripe is that it prevents a pipecleaner from reaching the bowl without first removing the little piece. Any help would be awesome.

 

[smokinggun]

If it is what I think it is, it's for moisture and in my opinion you should just toss it.

 

[olderthandirt]

Pics always help, your description makes it sound as though it may be as smokinggun mentions, a condenser.

Generally referred to as a stinger they are intended to prevent ash from moving through the stem or as a place for moisture to collect from the airstream.
If in fact this is what you have there, try a few bowls with and without the stinger. Judge for yourself which delivers the better smoke for ya.

While most pipes I have that came with one smoke fine with or without em', I've a couple of Grabows that smoke better with the stinger in place.

 

[dukdalf]

The metal 'thing' is there to have a cooling effect on the smoke traveling from your bowl to your lips. Most pipesmokers toss it immediately, some think it's a wonderful invention. Just try with and without and decide for yourself.

 

[jchaplick]

Personally i dont like them, and if they just come out like your saying yours does, I toss it. If I have to cut, break, bend, or snap it off, I usually keep it, for historical accuracy I guess. Not sure why I cant bring myself to just cut them off. Either way, if I just can take it off or out, in the garbage it goes...

 

[nsfisher]

i toss em before i even fill a pipe, but u shall have to decide what suits u best. If its one i cant remove, the hacksaw takes care of it

 

[bailey331]

Well that tells me alot. I have smoked this pipe with and without the stingerin it and all in all I couldnt tell a huge differance. Im leaning towards tossing it out as I want to be able to use a pipe cleaner when the need comes up. Thanks for the input.

 

[baronsamedi]

If it's not a permanent attachment, I say chuck it in a drawer.

 

[sirsmokesalot]

If you decide to leave it in, It's a must you clean the pipe after it cools.

These things trap moisture and left unattended can ruin your pipe fast.

 

[pipetrucker]

Yep, sounds like a stinger. Toss it, they are pretty much useless.

 

[hobie1dog]

 

[kcvet67]

It's a Medieval tortue device placed there to inflict pain. :lol: