Your thoughts on hands-free piping

[swilly]

Simple question: What do you guys use for a hands-free smoking session? A lighter straight pipe or a larger bent pipe? With a straight pipe, i understand there's more leverage so I say lighter to compensate for that. A bent pipe has less leverage so if it's a bit heavier, it should still be fine, right? Why do you prefer one over the other (maybe you have a preference for pipe style too?)
Anyway, I only have straight pipes at this moment (2) so I can't say too much yet. I know that I very much prefer the straight pipe aesthetics to the medium/heavily bent pipes, so I think I'd go for a lighter but straight pipe. Any disadvantages to a thinner-walled pocket pipe, other than maybe feeling very insignificant in your hands?
Looking forward to hear any opinions and input.
-Swilly

 

[baronsamedi]

I think bents were more designed for that, although straight or bent is mostly personal preference. As long as it's a good smoking pipe that's comfortable to clench you should be OK. My bent MM Great dane egg is a great hands free smoker but so is my straight meerschaum. It's light even though it has a huge bowl.

 

[pstlpkr]

Personally I like to clinch pokers.

But, I recommend a somewhat more substantial stem if you're a muncher like me.

 

[markw4mms]

I have a CAO lattice Oom Paul Meer, it doesn't get much better than that for clenching.

 

[olderthandirt]

I have 3 Savinellis in the 614 shape, full bent billiard. Clench all day long and never know they are there.

these are my favorites for "hands free" piping.

 

[ace57]

I have both but I like bent the best. The one I use most is a full bent Falcon I have 6 of them and I am swapping bowls out all the time so I get a nice dry smoke every time.

 

[philip]

I prefer to hold the pipe in my hand. Bent pipes are more comfortable for that.

 

[emarkle]

I prefer smaller, straight pipes. I'm also a confirmed clencher so my preferences match up pretty well.

 

[baronsamedi]

I use shrink tubing on all my stems, because I'll chomp a hole in them otherwise.

 

[harrier52]

My favorite clencher is my Pete 80 S. I am a bit of a chewer though.

 

[swilly]

Hmm, seems like mixed reviews, but bents seem to get more love for hands-free. Since I have some straights already I might go for a bent next... Or maybe I'll get used to clenching on my sav 127.
Hmm, small straight nosewarmers to the rescue :P
Thanks for the input.
-Swilly

 

[scotrob]

i prefer lighter pipes in general for hands-free....if you swing your head too fast with a heavy pipe the inertia can sometimes be enough to make the pipe sail right out of your mouth...not good! that said, one of my best hands-free pipes is a heavy Peterson billiard; I just have to make sure not to move my head too fast when I reverse the car or when I look prior to crossing the road.

 

[yohanan]

I like lighter pipes, They can either be bent or straight, The style of pipe doesn't matter to me so much. It also depends on the quality of the briar too, because the also adds to the weight of the pipe.

 

[pipetrucker]

I think bents are a bit better for clenching, but I find that adding the softy bits makes most pipes confortable and secure to clench. I clench almost constantly while driving.

 

[ichbinmuede]

Well what I like in a clencher is a shorter length. Straight or bent it's all about keeping that lever short.
Of course if I do it long enough I figure I could one day clench a giant Mario Grandi or Ardor. :lol:

 

[hobie1dog]

clenching=tension= a non enjoyable experience for me

 

[mjtannen]

All 30+ pipes, both straight and bent are my hands free smokes. Softy bits keep all of them comfortable. I do prefer a large bowl with a substantial vulcanite bit. It gives my strong jaw something to dig my teeth into.

 

[spyder71]

My full bent Viking is a great clencher. If I had to choose two pipes of the same weight, one being bent and one being straight, I would always choose the bent just because it is more comfortable for me.