How Do You Hold Your Pipe?

[DrStrangelove]

I was curious how people hold their pipes. I've been put under the impression that its not really 'proper' to hold it in your teeth constantly but I do it anyway. It's just so damn convienient. Sometimes if it's getting slobbery or I have to speak with more eloqutian (spelling) than my pipe mumble I'll grab it by the bowl, but almost never by the shank.

What about you guys?

[FunkyPorcini]

I almost spit my pretzel out when I read the title.

Umm, with my left hand. Sometimes I use a glove. If it gets too hot I'll set it down for a bit to let it rest. I try not to slobber on it but it's too hard sometimes.

[Xmodius]

Hmm.....most people don't like teethmarks, and sometimes teeth hurt....

I hold my pipe in my hand.

If my pipe must be held in a mouth, I always make sure that lips cover the teeth while holding the pipe. Lips feel better than teeth and don't leave marks.

Now, when I'm smoking I try not to put teeth marks on my tobacco pipe stem.

[IHT]

i sometimes put the shank between my fingers like a pool cue, or similar to how i hold a cigar.
mostly, i hold the bowl and keep it in my mouth, not biting the bit.

[AAlmeter]

What...no option for those of us who have to use two hands?

[Eichen]

I usually try to hold it by the bowl to guage how hot (or not) I'm smoking and to keep from clenching the bit too much. Sometimes I'll clench when I'm reading, typing, walking etc. When it comes to cutty shaped pipes I can't help but hold it by the shank (similar to what IHT says); it's almost instictual. I've smoked a few clays -- that's the way to do it to avoid burning your hand! They seem more or less "balanced" that way.

So for me, "any old way".

C&D Pennington Gap in an estate Stanwell.

-E

[Nooner]

Originally Posted by Eichen

I usually try to hold it by the bowl to guage how hot (or not) I'm smoking and to keep from clenching the bit too much. Sometimes I'll clench when I'm reading, typing, walking etc. When it comes to cutty shaped pipes I can't help but hold it by the shank (similar to what IHT says); it's almost instictual. I've smoked a few clays -- that's the way to do it to avoid burning your hand! They seem more or less "balanced" that way.

So for me, "any old way".

C&D Pennington Gap in an estate Stanwell.

-E

yep - what Eichen said. The pipe tells me how to hold it.