Forever Stems at Vermont Freehand

[Deleted member 2386]

I know a lot of folks are also bummed that Walker Briar Works shut their doors, but here's some good news for anyone lamenting the loss of their cob-friendly Forever Stems--Vermont Freehand has picked up the torch.

 

[huffelpuff]

Great news!

Jim

 

[ftrplt]

Didn't know WBW had closed!! Gotta' get out more often!! :cheers: FTRPLT

 

[Idlefellow]

Didn't know WBW had closed!! Gotta' get out more often!! :cheers: FTRPLT

Me neither.

 

[RSteve]

If you don't mind filing and sanding a bit, these should work for many cobs,
Acrylic stems from Italy

 

[Blackhorse]

Thanks! Now THIS is a link you guys should save. These Forever Stems are worth their weight in gold!

https://vermontfreehand.com/forever-stems/

 

[RSteve]

If you don't mind filing and sanding a bit, these should work for many cobs,
Acrylic stems from Italy

I purchased an almost identical set on Ebay from Molina, but shipping cost as much as the stems. I have them in seven cobs. Pipeshop is including free shipping. I just ordered another 5-pack. When they arrive, I'll post some for sale for what I paid plus postage to you, probably about $12.00 each. Ebay charged me 8% sales tax on the $50.

I see that VF charges $7.00 shipping, so the actual price, shipped is $25.00, but I think VF may include additional service.

 

[smoker13]

The drag now is that the famous Dagner Custom Cob's stem is drilled wider, so the Forever Stems no longer fit! This really tics me off! I have 9 or 10 Dagner cobs with Forever stems and love them. Last summer I bought 4 more and found out that the Forever Stems I'd purchased for them no longer fit. Have to use them on the C&D Carolina cobs, now or, of course, the traditional MM ones. This, for me, is a shame because a well used Dagner cob can give an hour's smoke and a Forever Stem really adds to the look and comfort of the smoking experience.

 

[RSteve]

The drag now is that the famous Dagner Custom Cob's stem is drilled wider, so the Forever Stems no longer fit!

I'm not understanding. Is it actually the shank that's drilled wider? Please explain.

 

[Mikem]

I'm not understanding. Is it actually the shank that's drilled wider? Please explain.

As luck would have it I just received a Dagner Poker today and to answer your question the shank is drilled wider. Using my drill bits I would say the shank hole for the bit/stem is 7/16" in diameter x 1/2" deep. The kicker was the air hole in the shank was not drilled all the way through to the bowl.

 

[smoker13]

I'm not understanding. Is it actually the shank that's drilled wider? Please explain.

Well, the hole in the shank where the acrylic stem fits into is drilled wider, so the Forever Stem, which is slimmer, no longer fits snugly into the shank.

 

[Mikem]

Hopefully this picture clarifies what Smoker13 is saying.

 

[RSteve]

View attachment 531Hopefully this picture clarifies what Smoker13 is saying.

It certainly does! I have three Dagners and I've replaced all the stems with substantially longer ones.

 

[RSteve]

It looks like Jayson Dagner wanted to use the same stem on several pipes.Dagner Pipes

 

[Mikem]

Looks like VermontFreehand.com bought up Pipe Makers Emporium's stock of stems. All shapes and colors. Prices don't seem bad but I haven't bought any pipe making supplies in years. (I have no affiliation with the company or have purchased from them. I use to do business with Pipe Makers Emporium when they were in Phoenix).