Will Italian Makers Ever Switch Back to Ebonite/Vulcanite Stems?

[Mike N]

I am a big fan of Italian pipes, and on a recent trip to Italy I added a few more Castello, Cavicchi, Savinelli and Ser Jacopo pipes to my collection. But the hard acrylic stems make me not want to reach for them in my rotation. The buttons all seem to come 6mm to 8mm with sharp square edges that are uncomfortable for my 66 year teeth. I hate to have to go down my shop in the garage and file the buttons down to a more comfortable 4.5mm and round the edges, and risk amateurishly ruining a new pipe even with a good buffing wheel.

The standard for most small shop artisan makers now is stems of ebonite/vulcanite or some derivative, but not acrylic. These soft stems do not seem to tarnish like the old vulcanite pipes of the 1960s with proper care and an occasional touch of Obsidian oil. They seem to all sell out quickly at increasingly nose-beeed prices.

I hope the great hands-on factories in Italy get the message and start making a line with softer stem material (I know there are a couple, but not in the lines and series I like to collect and smoke). But I suppose acrylic is faster and easier to work with, so I’m not holding my breat..

 

[Hillcrest]

I am a big fan of Italian pipes, and on a recent trip to Italy I added a few more Castello, Cavicchi, Savinelli and Ser Jacopo pipes to my collection. But the hard acrylic stems make me not want to reach for them in my rotation. The buttons all seem to come 6mm to 8mm with sharp square edges that are uncomfortable for my 66 year teeth. I hate to have to go down my shop in the garage and file the buttons down to a more comfortable 4.5mm and round the edges, and risk amateurishly ruining a new pipe even with a good buffing wheel.

The standard for most small shop artisan makers now is stems of ebonite/vulcanite or some derivative, but not acrylic. These soft stems do not seem to tarnish like the old vulcanite pipes of the 1960s with proper care and an occasional touch of Obsidian oil. They seem to all sell out quickly at increasingly nose-beeed prices.

I hope the great hands-on factories in Italy get the message and start making a line with softer stem material (I know there are a couple, but not in the lines and series I like to collect and smoke). But I suppose acrylic is faster and easier to work with, so I’m not holding my breat..

In the meantime, see if any of your older stems fit the new pipes for a temporary quick fix.

 

[kcghost]

I usually buy artisan pipes and that means I can specify what I want the stem made out of. I can even specify how I want it cut. Maybe what you should be it find a repair person that will modify the bits for you.

 

[briarblues]

I am a big fan of Italian pipes, and on a recent trip to Italy I added a few more Castello, Cavicchi, Savinelli and Ser Jacopo pipes to my collection. But the hard acrylic stems make me not want to reach for them in my rotation. The buttons all seem to come 6mm to 8mm with sharp square edges that are uncomfortable for my 66 year teeth. I hate to have to go down my shop in the garage and file the buttons down to a more comfortable 4.5mm and round the edges, and risk amateurishly ruining a new pipe even with a good buffing wheel.

The standard for most small shop artisan makers now is stems of ebonite/vulcanite or some derivative, but not acrylic. These soft stems do not seem to tarnish like the old vulcanite pipes of the 1960s with proper care and an occasional touch of Obsidian oil. They seem to all sell out quickly at increasingly nose-beeed prices.

I hope the great hands-on factories in Italy get the message and start making a line with softer stem material (I know there are a couple, but not in the lines and series I like to collect and smoke). But I suppose acrylic is faster and easier to work with, so I’m not holding my breat..

Mike, check out Le Nuvole Pipes. Maurizio uses Ebonite on most of the pipes he creates. Plus Radice also offers pipes with Ebonite stems. They carry an E stamp on the shank.

 

[das3353]

Radice makes some with ebonite and are marked "E".

https://www.smokingpipes.com/pipes/new/radice/moreinfo.cfm?product_id=618068

Al Pascià - Radice Silk Cut E smoking pipe 1925 - Pipes - Radice - https://www.alpascia.com/en/product/55682/radice-silk-cut-e?_gl=1*pppv8*_up*MQ..*_ga*NTM3ODQxNTA2LjE3MjY3NjYyMjU.*_ga_D2GQQJXGGP*MTcyNjc2NjIyNS4xLjEuMTcyNjc2NjIzNy4wLjAuMA..

 

[Mike N]

Thanks. I have a few Radices I seldom smoke but will check out these new ones and reexamine the ones in my cabinet. Much appreciated.

 

[Auxsender]

I love a hard acrylic stem.
In fact, I just called Tim West to ask him where he gets his hard as hell acrylic for his stems and said, “Italy”.
I tend to clench a whole right into most stems but not Tim’s.

 

[didimauw]

I used to prefer acrylic, because I had a tendency to puncture anything less. Now with my teeth, I prefer vulcanite.

 

[bullet08]

I do enjoy vulcanite, really. Only if I don't have to clean them. Acrylic is much easier to deal with, it just doesn't feel all that comfortable on my teeth/mouth.

 

[Briarcutter]

But I suppose acrylic is faster and easier to work with, so I’m not holding my breat..

It's been my experience that acrylic is harder to work with. It has it's advantages though and they may not want to make the change. Ebonite stinks and is messy compared to acrylic. Once I made the change though I do like working it.

 

[warren]

If Ebonite bits would improve profits then, I'd guess, yes. If not, then no. It's all about staying in business and making a bit of a profit. Obviously lots of people like acrylic.

 

[elvishrunes]

Most makers are using acrylics these days because they last longer and withstand scratches and holes better than other materials. They can also make great colours, that simple.

You can wrap the upper stem in black electric tape to soften it or protect it. It will smell plastic for a few weeks, but disappears after.

 

[pinem]

Most Italian pipe makers do appear to look down on vulcanite/ebonite stems. I wonder if the hotter and more sunny climate is just too hard on these types of stems and that is why refuse to use it.

 

[warren]

Only if I don't have to clean them

I don't clean 'em until I can taste 'em. I clench so my tongue rarely comes in contact with the bit. So, the bit really has to be gnarly to taste it.

 

[bullet08]

I don't clean 'em until I can taste 'em. I clench so my tongue rarely comes in contact with the bit. So, the bit really has to be gnarly to taste it.

I tried once to clean, and made worse. So I don't think about it.

 

[SmokingInTheWind]

I prefer vulcanite to acrylic as well.
I did a search on SP and came up with 23 pages of Italian pipes with vulcanite stems. Prices range from $52 to over $1000. I didn’t look too closely but saw a lot of Savinelli.

https://www.smokingpipes.com/search/the-pipe-locator.cfm?displayNum=24&country=5&sortOpt=priceAsc&stem=1&page=1

 

[Chasing Embers]

They can also make great colours,

Same with vulcanite.



I just wish factory pipe makers would try out juma. Not sure if Castello ever used vulcanite.

 

[Chasing Embers]

But I suppose acrylic is faster and easier to work with,

Nah, acrylic takes more time and is very easy to burn when shaping.

 

[Sigmund]

I think its all about production and demand. In production change costs money. If there was enough demand they might do some special editions. If they are selling as much as they can make (some of the higher end handmade shops) they are less likely to make any major adjustments. If you are a business purchases act as positive reinforcement. Reinforce a behavior in your pet and see how hard it is to change it!

One is more likely to find new materials with new makers. They step in with a vision and a desire to stand out in the pack. They have less to loose and there is way more up side.

 

[crashthegrey]

One option is to go American. Kaywoodie continues to use vulcanite stems.