Idea for a really "clench-able" bit

[phatmax]

I had an idea, related to the yardwork thread...

I am sure everyone has seen the nicer pens out there that have the "comfort grip" or otherwise hard plastic tube with a rubber overwrap.

Why not apply the same technology to pipe stems. Maybe even go as far as putting a titanium or stainless-steel tube just long enough to reinforce the "bite-zone"

This way you could have a bit that looks factory, with the benefits of a rubber pipe bit.

[RJpuffs]

Originally Posted by phatmax

I had an idea, related to the yardwork thread...

I am sure everyone has seen the nicer pens out there that have the "comfort grip" or otherwise hard plastic tube with a rubber overwrap.

Why not apply the same technology to pipe stems. Maybe even go as far as putting a titanium or stainless-steel tube just long enough to reinforce the "bite-zone"

This way you could have a bit that looks factory, with the benefits of a rubber pipe bit.

They do have rubber bits that slip over the lip and let you chomp down - protecting the stem. And they slide off again so you can reuse/clean the stem.

[phatmax]

I have most of my pipes setup that way, with the rubber bits. It might be nice to have a sporty, resilient pipe for yardwork, working on the car that looks good, and finished; but also will survive a drop and keep on puffing.

[RJpuffs]

Originally Posted by phatmax

I have most of my pipes setup that way, with the rubber bits. It might be nice to have a sporty, resilient pipe for yardwork, working on the car that looks good, and finished; but also will survive a drop and keep on puffing.

Try a cob

[viking12344]

One thing I do a lot of is keep that pipe clenched in my teeth all day long working. My stems all have indentations of this lol. Maybe I will check out those covers.

[phatmax]

check on the web for bulk quantities for them, even on ebay.

[Mister Moo]

This makes no sense to me. Why protect a bit on a briar pipe you've already conceded to the potential of bouncing on the grass, skidding down concrete or mooshing into the pile of dog-mooner you just mowed over? If you're really an anticobbite I say go to a pipe show and buy an appealing, stout $10 used basket pipe, clean it, have a custom acrylic extra-stout bit made ($15), bounce it, fling it, find it and gnaw away. It'd take a hungry dog to gnaw through an acrylic bit - I can't hardly scratch one.

WTH? I can't walk and chew gum let alone run a mower and operate a pipe to my enjoyment. I honor you pipe-smoking multi-taskers. I guess I need to get in closer touch with my feminine side. Mrs. Moo could do yard work, talk on the phone, grade school papers, listen to the MPS3 player AND smoke a pipe at the same time. Uh, if she did yard work, that is. Mrs. Moo is multi-task. Not me.

[David M]

Originally Posted by viking12344

One thing I do a lot of is keep that pipe clenched in my teeth all day long working. My stems all have indentations of this lol.

I am unfortunately the same.
I clench down hard with my teeth. I think its just a thing with me.
I was using the excuse that I often am multi-tasking (as Moo pointed out) and all that other stuff I am doing is the reason for the harder clench, because I dont want to drop it.

Its not true though.
Right now I am sitting on a bench in my yard (as I always do at nights) and I am relaxed but still clenching.

They forced me to buy the rubber bits at the B&M today and they fully shot down my earlier response that its pretty cheap (relatively speaking) to get a new stem professionally prepared.
Once the original parts of the pipe are gone and they enter replacement land, some of the pipe has been lost forever. Silly to an extent because they have no soul or what not, but I still connected with the idea of keeping the pipe wholly original.

I am sitting here right now, chomping down on a rubber bit.
Didnt like it the first 5 minutes, now getting more used to it.
Maybe someday I will learn to bite less hard but right now, I am gonna protect my purty stems.

[Twiggz]

I've never had an issue biting my bit. But then again I've never done more then sit and read a book or surf the web while I smoke. I doubt I'd get much enjoyment from the pipe if I was doing anything physical. But thats just me

[KevinV]

I have the rubber bit covers on a few of my pipes and find them comfortable. They certainly allow for a firmer grip and there's no harm done to the bit.

[Mad Hatter]

The thought of biting through a bit makes my teeth hurt

[paul1454]

I just tried a pipe bit for the first time today. These things are really great. I've overlooked them haning on the wall at my local B&M and somehow they caught my eye today. I don't usually keep my pipes clenched in my teeth because it has never felt very comfortable, but I think I may have just found the solution. Thanks guys.

[drastic_quench]

Great. I cut the large end off of the rubber bits, and it really improves them. You still get the bite protection, but you also still get the slenderness of the stem - rather than the trumpet mouthpiece that results from keeping them on.

[Hermit]

I'm not generally a clencher, but I put softy bits on
several of my lighter pipes for when I need my hands free.
Not so much to protect the stems, although they're good for that;
I don't like the feeling of biting down on hard plastic.

[MarkC]

I ordered a pack of 'em to try out; I've never been much of a clencher, but I decided to walk to work and home yesterday and smoked my pipe on the way home...it just didn't seem right to carry it in my hand.