Where the Rubber Meets the Teeth!

[haroldt]

I spoke recently with a fellow at a Cigar and Pipe shop in town (far more cigar then pipe) about the weight of a pipe, pressure on the teeth and just the general discomfort of biting down on the hard plastic. He showed me these little rubber ends one can place on the bit.
Here is info at null
So I bought some. I must say that I will be outfitting the rest of my pipes with these little jewels. They really help and add comfort.
Anyone else using them??

 

[flyguy]

I use 'em too on every pipe. It makes smoking much more comfortable. I am a clencher and would just chew-up my bits if left uncovered. Hats off to those who don't need them!

 

[cavendish]

I personally don'y like them. I find the pipe bounces more and it's alot larger than the bit itself and I found that to be uncomfortable pressure due to clenching harder to stop it from bouncing. I was walking at the time so I removed the rubber, put it in my pouch and they sit in a cigar box now lol.

 

[taerin]

I only smoke pipes that are very bent with vulcanite stems, the rubber bits add too much discomfort to use, the stems are quite comfortable without them. As Cortez has stated earlier, they are like wearing a condom, part of the enjoyment of the pipe is the tactile feel in your teeth when you clench it naturally.

 

[4dotsasieni]

If you're ever in the U.K., look for a pipe called the "Dr Plumb Dental." It comes with a widely-flared lip, providing extra support without the necessity for a rubber add-on.

 

[rigmedic1]

I use them on a couple of my pipes to keep from damaging the unusual or rare stems. They are comfortable enough, though I prefer the harder lucite stems.

 

[drwatson]

I use them on all my stems, but cut off the thicker end and just use the thin part.

 

[canadianbiggame]

I use them on all my pipes, If it wasn't for the little rubber on the end I would eat through the stems in a matter of weeks.

 

[kashmir]

I clench the pipe as a matter of habit. Here's the stuff I use.

 

[dread]

Kashmir, 1) what is that tubing, but more importantly 2) where do you get your awesome stems? I have a Radice I want to re-stem.

 

[kashmir]

Hi dread. Here's the link on fancy Lucite stems:
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/fancy-lucite-stems http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/fancy-lucite-stems
I use thin walled rubber surgical tubing. The kind they wrap around your arm when you give blood. I set it up so the button remains uncovered. So the only part of the stem that is protected is where your teeth go. I swear by this method. Saves the stems. Clenching promotes body / mind unity with the pipe and thereby maximizes all that the tobacco has to offer.

 

[pipebow88]

At one point I had softy bits on a few and liked them. But now all are bare and I cannot stand softy bits.

B

 

[ghost]

I used to use them often, but now I only have them on a couple of straight pipes. The more you clench the easier it gets.

 

[hodirty]

I swear by softy bits. I have them on all my pipes. In fact, if I get a new pipe I'll rob one off another pipe, just to smoke it. I can't stand not having them on.

 

[dread]

@ Kashmir - thanks a bunch!

 

[flyguy]

@Kashmir: The tubing is a great idea! I'll have to hunt me up a 3' length or so.

 

[allan]

I can understand the reason why it's used. After all, the teeth marks and discoloration on the stem bothers me, and I find that once in a while I have to polish the stems
But the aspect of saliva caught underneath the tubing...well that's too much for me
To each their own

 

[kashmir]

After each smoke, the thin surgical rubber ring is removed from the stem. They slip off easily. I have a bowl of these rings. The stem is then cleaned and the pipe racked in the usual way. All copesetic and highly hygienic.