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Post by olbluesmoke on Mar 17, 2024 19:53:10 GMT -5
I'm an Acrylic man. Lower maintenance to be sure.
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Post by turbocat on Mar 17, 2024 20:04:08 GMT -5
For function, first choice is Bakelite (I know, I’m probably in a minority of one on this) second choice acrylic. I only tolerate vulcanized rubber, horn and bone.
For aesthetics, amber.
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Post by Ronv69 on Mar 17, 2024 20:09:59 GMT -5
I like Bakelite too. I also like bone and amber. I guess I usually would prefer acrylic. Now top quality German vulkanite is the best on my teeth and not too much trouble to keep. I'm talking about the stuff that Basil Meadows and Ron Powell used. That stuff is great.
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Post by just ol ed on Mar 17, 2024 20:16:54 GMT -5
Glad you mentioned this subject Blues. All my 53 pipes have lucite now, even a few which had vulcanite. Various makers thru the years made lucite for me. You mentioned reason why, no desire to buy various creams, polishes, devices etc to spend time with de-oxidizing any of them, course know many do the opposite & I respect that
Ed-smoke more, little maintenance
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Post by username on Mar 17, 2024 20:50:49 GMT -5
acrylic since im lazy. have a few with vulcanite tho.
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Post by john on Mar 17, 2024 21:19:13 GMT -5
Acrylic! Less maintenance and more comfortable in most cases.
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Post by urbino on Mar 17, 2024 21:47:50 GMT -5
I pay it no mind. I put a softee bit on everything, so comfort is identical, and I can't say I notice my Vulcanite stems oxidizing all that quickly, so I don't spend much time on maintaining them.
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Post by urbino on Mar 18, 2024 0:54:11 GMT -5
Now, something I do pay attention to is stem shape. if it gets too thick too quickly as you move from the bit toward the shank, it's a no-go for me. If it's super short or super wide, it's a no-go. Those shapes are a pain to put a softee bit on.
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Post by coalsmoke on Mar 18, 2024 4:48:42 GMT -5
I like the vulcanite stems.
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Post by lizardonarock on Mar 18, 2024 7:31:42 GMT -5
Vulcanite protected by Chap Stick or as I say problem solved.
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jonmc75
Junior Member
Posts: 262
First Name: Jon.
Favorite Pipe: Savinelli /Peterson /Cobs
Location:
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Post by jonmc75 on Mar 18, 2024 8:07:57 GMT -5
Being new(ish) to the hobby, I've got a fair few estates in my small collection, most of those are vulcanite, but I've got a few acrylics as well, mostly new purchases. Like urbino I use the softee bits, so mechanically it makes no difference, but for less maintenance, and cleaner smokes, acrylics work best for me. |
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Post by Goldbrick on Mar 18, 2024 10:12:21 GMT -5
In my youth I looked to acrylic as a way to always have a sharp looking pipe without all the fuss and work of vulcanite. This was largely due to the lack of time and skill...I didn't think of pipes as a collectable, just something to smoke tobacco in, and I hated those insta-green stems that turned greenish gray with the first puff.
Some pipe just call your name however, and I ended up with a fair number of pipes with stems that need help to look their best...with the help of the internet and retirement, I now have the time and the skills needed to keep them in good shape, and oddly I'm not nearly as picky as I used to be about the issue.
I will say that I'm also a fan of Chap- Stick, after each smoke, to keep those old stems black and shiny.
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Post by Darin on Mar 18, 2024 10:12:49 GMT -5
I like the plastic stems on my cobs. Otherwise, it's acrylic for me.
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Post by Ronv69 on Mar 18, 2024 13:13:27 GMT -5
Now, something I do pay attention to is stem shape. if it gets too thick too quickly as you move from the bit toward the shank, it's a no-go for me. If it's super short or super wide, it's a no-go. Those shapes are a pain to put a softee bit on. This is important. I was just noticing that the stem on my Comoy prince is just about perfect. Great quality vulcanite too. No crud and I don't remember ever polishing it. |
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