I like them on some of my pipes but for others they feel weird and don’t work.
Your Experience with Bit Grips/Softy Bits?
- Thread starter Professor Moriarty
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I have tried them and they weren't for me. That's just me though, you may very well find them to your liking.
I put them on all my pipes to lessen the chance of a damaging drop and for the comfort of not having to clench too hard. Longevity is good provided you smoke them, otherwise they tend to dry out. I replace them about every year or so. I will say, the one-size-fits-all models do not work on p-lips but I solved that problem by getting rid of them (the p-lips).
I have observed an increase in salivation with a grip.Not a fan. They are too bulky, leave an after taste, & cause me to salivate way too much. Some folks swear by em though.️
I suppose with practice you could overcome the salivation issue…I just didn’t see the need or want to push it with softy bits.
️I have tried them, not a bad idea for a clencher but you can only imagine what is growing underneath without peroxide cleaning !
It’s friction tape. Bought it on Amazon. Works great.
I’ve wanted to use them so I could clench and avoid tooth chatter on the majority of my pipes; I have the silicone ones, but find they’re a little too thick on most stems and cause me to salivate too much. I rarely use them and just hold my pipes when I smoke.
If you are damaging pipes you need to use them or some heavy tape as mentioned. Its not worth it to ruin a good pipe you like. I used them for a while because I didnt care for the feel of acrylic stems. I got used to them and so I quit using them on most pipes. I still use them on a couple of larger pipes that are heavy to briefly clench. They do feel big so if I were inclined to keep using them Id probably try some heavy tape. I never got any taste from the ones that are silicone.
Dry vinyl tape. It's like electrical tape without the adhesive. A few wraps give you the benefits of softy bits but with no taste or added bulk. Here's what I use
Amazon.com - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00823GUP6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Amazon.com - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00823GUP6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
That reminds me!! Before we moved last year I had a roll of black 3M silicon no-glue tape, I’m sure I put it somewhere where I wouldn’t lose it, which means there’s no chance I’ll find it while m thinking of it
I used to use them on almost all of my pipes. They help keep teeth marks to a minimum and can help with clenching for long periods. I don't use them as much as I used to because, well, I just don't like clenching for long periods. I'm a wet smoker, so I prefer to just hold my pipe when I'm not drawing from it. I also prefer pipes with a generous bend, and when I do clench those, I find the extra grip from the rubber bit only helps so much. Now, with a straight pipe or ones that are especially top-heavy, I still use the rubber bits.
I think everyone owes it to themselves to at least try them. They are super cheap, so you're not out much if you don't like them. But they can be a big help to some people.
I think everyone owes it to themselves to at least try them. They are super cheap, so you're not out much if you don't like them. But they can be a big help to some people.
I like the idea, but my experience with them isn't the best. I'm generally not a clencher, but sometimes it's a nice option to have if I need to free up my hands.
I don't want to leave tooth clatter on my stems, and I only have acrylic stems. To me, acrylic isn't uncomfortable to clench, but softer is a little more comfortable (just don't want to deal with extra maintenance of vulcanite, though I know some have vulcanite that's apparently immune to oxidation, but I also keep my pipes in the open air on the mantle, not in a box in a drawer).
So I did try some soft bits. They're a little bit uncomfortable, they'll fit all my pipes except my Chacom 871 (it has a pretty stout stem and bit). Problem for me was two fold. First, they make the bit too thick, which is a little more awkward for clenching. The second thing, is they cause me to drool because of how big they make the stem/bit. They're also all too soft in my opinion, but then if they were harder/more firm, they might be a huge pita to get on to the bit.
I'd consider the non-adhesive vinyl self-stick tape option before considering the bit grips. They're a good idea, just all of them are too thick. With the vinyl tape, you can protect the stem while being able to adjust how soft and/or thick you want it by just wrapping more, but wrapping less will give you a more normal bit feel.
I don't want to leave tooth clatter on my stems, and I only have acrylic stems. To me, acrylic isn't uncomfortable to clench, but softer is a little more comfortable (just don't want to deal with extra maintenance of vulcanite, though I know some have vulcanite that's apparently immune to oxidation, but I also keep my pipes in the open air on the mantle, not in a box in a drawer).
So I did try some soft bits. They're a little bit uncomfortable, they'll fit all my pipes except my Chacom 871 (it has a pretty stout stem and bit). Problem for me was two fold. First, they make the bit too thick, which is a little more awkward for clenching. The second thing, is they cause me to drool because of how big they make the stem/bit. They're also all too soft in my opinion, but then if they were harder/more firm, they might be a huge pita to get on to the bit.
I'd consider the non-adhesive vinyl self-stick tape option before considering the bit grips. They're a good idea, just all of them are too thick. With the vinyl tape, you can protect the stem while being able to adjust how soft and/or thick you want it by just wrapping more, but wrapping less will give you a more normal bit feel.
I had used them for a moment in time, then I got the 411 from a few Masters out there stating - We spend a lot of time on stem work, button, etc. - you will lose all that by putting rubbers on the stem ( save the rubbers for the other pipe - 
) ,
Since then I haven't used them, destroyed two stems in 15yrs due to Dragon~jaw crunch'in , so all in all a good run even after I crunched a few stems I wouldn't go back to using them - just ease back on the clench or if you plan on re-selling then a good idea to use them to protect stem from teeth marks, etc.
) ,Since then I haven't used them, destroyed two stems in 15yrs due to Dragon~jaw crunch'in , so all in all a good run even after I crunched a few stems I wouldn't go back to using them - just ease back on the clench or if you plan on re-selling then a good idea to use them to protect stem from teeth marks, etc.
Thanks for the link! This tape is made of Polyvinyl Chloride. Some say, don't put it in your mouth
Do you tape over the button as well as the end of the bit?
Easily fixedThe hygienic issue has occurred to me also
Just remove the bit and wipe down the stem.
Just part of the post-smoke pipe cleaning routine for me
You make a good point about bit grips on straights vs bents!