Bent or straight

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MC

MC

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Newb is back with more thoughts to ponder, I plan on buying my first briar the next time I buy tobacco and was wondering if ya'll think more people smoke straights or bent.

Currently I have 2 mmcobs, one of each and I think the straight smokes better but the sort-of bent one is more comfortable. Probably will be looking at a basket pipe or maybe Dr Grabow, at least something in that price range.

M
 
Over half of my collection is Bent stem. When it all comes down to it, personal preference takes over. I prefer the looks and comfort of a Bent stem, but one of my very best smokers has a straight stem.

I know this doesn't help you very much, but it really has more to do with personal preference than anything.

The only advantage I've found to a bent stem is with an aromatic blend, there seems to be less gurgling when smoking a wet or a goopy blend. Of course I try to dry out blends that are wet or sticky, but some aromatics tend to stay that way.
 
The only pipes I personally don't like are full bent pipes. They simply don't fit my smoking routine, as they "dangle" in the mouth, and I don't like the bowl shooting smoke up into my eyes. So, 1/4-bent to straight pipes it is. As mentioned, pipes with a bend in them won't necessarily prevent moisture "gurgle," but they'll give you a warning to use a pipe cleaner to mop out the airway before you get a mouthful of nasty juice.

You'll have to find your smoking style and a pipe to fit it. There's plenty of "full bent" fans here, as well as straight fans and all in-between. For now, go with what looks good to you.

8)
 
Almost 95% of my pipes are straights with the rest 1/4 to 1/8 bent . I have only two full bent pipes, both Pete Sytem pipes as for me they smoke dryer. But as has been noted you need to decide what you feel most comfortable with in both looks and feel. If you are a smoker who like to "clench" your pipe in your teeth, remember size does matter as far as comfort :p
 
Most of my pipes are bents, but never more than about a quarter bend and my favorites are more like 1/8.

When I first started smoking a pipe, the common wisdom seemed to be that bents are more comfortable and prevent backwash from the stem.

I think the comfort is a personal thing and the backwash issue is solved by learning the proper techniques of pipe smoking.
 
I would like to take time to thank everyone for their responses to my posts."B.O.B." is by FAR the friendliest forum I have ever been a member of and look forward to the world of pipes

Always,
MC


"When people fear their Government, there is Tyranny, when the Government fears the People, there is LIBERTY!"
Thomas Jefferson
 
Just as long as you post a nice picture or two of whatever pipe follows you home/comes in the mail, we'll stay friendly. :twisted:

:lol:

Good luck in your search/purchase--pick a good one for yourself!

8)
 
I prefer bent stems and love a good full bent stem. I smoke mostly outside and the slight breeze is always enough to make smoke not go into my eyes, plus they are comfortable to hang IMO. I do have a couple straight pipes, but they tend to sit in the rack most of the time and only come out if I am in a really quirky mood and just want to try a straight stem again which never lasts long for me.
It all comes to your preference, as opposed to ordering one I would make a drive somewhere and look at a pipe. If you are looking at ones in the Grabow line you can wander down to a lot of store like Eckerd Pharmacy and a lot of other chain stores and they have them behind the counter hanging up a lot of the time. If you can hold off a little longer and save you can grab a cheap Nording, Peterson, Brebbia, Bjarne for right around 70 that will smoke circles around a Grabow, again IMO.
 
I was going to say it's personal preference, only you're buying your first briar. Take along pipe cleaners, so you can give 'em the slide through to the bowl test. (probably an inexpensive straight will do better that an inexpensive bent.) But my pers pref is something like a 1/8 bent bulldog which is comfy for holders and clenchers.
 
My collection is about 50/50. I like the pipe first and the stem second. If I like everything about the stummel I'll go either way on the stem. Nine of my twelve Petes are bent.
 
Sasquatch":wko92xun said:
Bent.

Straight pipes go "clack" when you shoulder check!
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What, no "straight pipes are for women" jive? :lol:

Also, not necessarily the case...same size guy, both with the same curve of pipe...clack. :p

(Little known fact: Pipe smokers shoulder-check each other like rutting goats in public. All the time. Did it twice today, actually.)

8)
 
Aesthetically, I prefer bents. For comfort purposes (I'm a clencher) I also prefer bents. However I will say that most of my straights outsmoke my bents any day of the week. I'm very particular about my straights though; they must be at around 5" in length and weigh less than 2oz.

Nothing is more uncomfortable than smoking a 6" straight pipe that weighs over 2oz and running around. I've dropped pipes that big and have also knocked them against a bunch of stuff because they stick out so far.

I know, I'm a quirky guy, but that is what has worked for me in the past.
 
Ocelot55":rksrvnke said:
I know, I'm a quirky guy, but that is what has worked for me in the past.
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Being quirky works for me too. Plod on, brother. :lol:
 
Half-bent apple has been my favorite but to be fair the only straight pipe I own is a cob. Thinking about making my next purchase a poker.
 
Like my profile says "I'm a bent kinda guy".

Don't have but a few straight pipes, the rest are some form of bent with 1/4 to 1/2 being the norm. Just like the way they feel and hang while clenching I guess. Like anything it's a personal thing.

Oddly enough my late Pap smoked pretty much nothing but straights. Guess that didn't rub off on me, although I'd have loved to have inherited his pipes. Sadly his second wife threw them out after he quit smoking and I wasn't into pipes back then.

:(


Cheers,

RR

 
Quarter bent.

But I have (and enjoy) my straights, half-bents and full-bents.

Quarter bents just seem to span all of them.
 
I have all styles and enjoy them all. I might like the bent ones a little more.
 
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