Your Experience with Bit Grips/Softy Bits?

[Professor Moriarty]

"A rubber cover for the end of the stem, to prevent stem damage. Some people find these easier to grip and more comfortable than acrylic or vulcanite stems, especially while driving."

I do believe I will try these -- for comfort, as well as for protection of both vulcanite and acrylic stems.
I have found for sale China-made rubber grips of diameters 10mm, 11mm, 12mm.
Also, USA made SOFTY grips in small, medium, large.
And a few other brands, including silicon grips, and clear rubber grips.

Anyone care to share experience with any of the above? Durability?

I have previously ignored these because they are often mis-marketed as specifically for denture wearers.

 

[warren]

I use them on bits I pierced with a K-9. I've no problem with 'em. But, many of the purists here decry their use. I'm more "whatever works for you" type.

 

[OzPiper]

I use them ALL the time because I dislike tooth chatter.
And it makes clenching much more comfortable.

I much prefer the silicon bits to the rubber ones.
- Easier to slip on&off
- No rubber taste
- Much, much cheaper. Especially if you get them in lots of 50 or 100

 

[Sobrbiker]

Only tried the softy ones, didn’t care for them at all, tasted like rubber.
I may try silicon down the road, as I have a couple acrylic stems, and my teeth can’t stand acrylic (I constantly clench).

 

[Professor Moriarty]

I use them on bits I pierced with a K-9. I've no problem with 'em. But, many of the purists here decry their use. I'm more "whatever works for you" type.

My teeth have chipped/punctured the bits of two of my favorite pipes--one vulcanite and one acrylic.
The pipes are entirely smokeable but a bit annoying due to the sharp bit edges.
To have the bits replaced is expensive and inconvenient. I hope rubber grips will solve the issue.

I know one fella who uses rubber grips on oxidized vulcanite -- a reasonable alternative to refurbishing the oxidized bit.

 

[Servant King]

I swear by them for most of my pipes. The only exceptions are my lone meer and a tiny light-as-a-feather French-made beechwood Rhodesian. The large buttons on these two obviate the need to use a bit, but for the rest of my pipes, they are essential. I don't always clench, but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis I like that they keep the pipe from slipping around. When my teeth are in direct contact with the stem, the pipe tends to move around a bit, as it's far from snug, unless I bite down harder than I feel comfortable doing. I don't get any rubber taste from the softie bits.

 

[DesertDan]

They are very useful to me; I have them on several pipes.
I use the small ones as they are usually enough to adjust the bite for me.

 

[Professor Moriarty]

I use them ALL the time because I dislike tooth chatter.
And it makes clenching much more comfortable.

I much prefer the silicon bits to the rubber ones.
- Easier to slip on&off
- No rubber taste
- Much, much cheaper. Especially if you get them in lots of 50 or 100

Thanks for your feedback. I will try both silicon and rubber grips!

 

[Professor Moriarty]

I swear by them for most of my pipes. The only exceptions are my lone meer and a tiny light-as-a-feather French-made beechwood Rhodesian. The large buttons on these two obviate the need to use a bit, but for the rest of my pipes, they are essential. I don't always clench, but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis I like that they keep the pipe from slipping around. When my teeth are in direct contact with the stem, the pipe tends to move around a bit, as it's far from snug, unless I bite down harder than I feel comfortable doing. I don't get any rubber taste from the softie bits.

Thank you for your excellent feedback! Yes, the "slipping around" struggle is real.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

I can't take them, the texture is what bothers me most. Instead, i use a tape similar to black electrical tape. Not so thick, no texture issues and it is comfortable and prevents tooth chatter.

 

[Professor Moriarty]

They are very useful to me; I have them on several pipes.
I use the small ones as they are usually enough to adjust the bite for me.

I stretched a small grip onto a large bit. It can be done, but I have ordered larger sized grips also.

 

[Professor Moriarty]

I can't take them, the texture is what bothers me most. Instead, i use a tape similar to black electrical tape. Not so thick, no texture issues and it is comfortable and prevents tooth chatter.

Tape and bubblegum -- always handy for fix-its! Glue-less tapes may be preferable.

 

[Coreios]

I have 1 on every pipe and and back ups. I suggest buy small. They stretch a lot and you want them tight or you'll suck air under it. If you clench they will snap every so often. I wouldn't buy name brand though they have them wayyy cheaper on Amazon.

 

[kcghost]

I don't use them but a guy I visit with every Saturday uses them religiously and seems to love them.

 

[Professor Moriarty]

I have 1 on every pipe and and back ups. I suggest buy small. They stretch a lot and you want them tight or you'll suck air under it. If you clench they will snap every so often. I wouldn't buy name brand though they have them wayyy cheaper on Amazon.

All good advice, thanks!

 

[mingc]

I've a crown on one of my front teeth that is a little sensitive. A soft bit helps alleviates the discomfort. I prefer the silicone version. They are softer than rubber and more pliable so you can easily put them on and remove them.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

I find non adhesive silicone tape works better,no so thick and no issues with texture.

 

[Simmerdown☕️]

Not a fan. They are too bulky, leave an after taste, & cause me to salivate way too much. Some folks swear by em though. ️

 

[Chasing Embers]

Fairly impossible for me to damage a stem so no for me.

 

[HeavyLeadBelly]

I gave them a shot but just not my cup of tea. However it sounds like silicon ones exist which I may try as I think acrylic stems are very hard compared to vulcanite.

But as you can see rubber bits are fairly popular. Since they’re cheap I don’t see why anyone wouldn’t try them.