Stem, Stems & Stemms

[northernpiper]

Question for the makers and connoisseurs.

What stem materials do you prefer and why?

Common Material:

• Plastic
• Acrylic
• Fordite
• Bakelite
• Ebonite

I'm venturing into making pipes and want to gather information since there are a plethora of options available for stems.

 

[Carlos]

Ebonite. Softer tooth feel. But they do wear. They also show that ugly buildup.

 

[Gaius Marius]

I only have experience with acrylic and ebonite stems.
Acrylic stems don't rub me the right way. I think that they sometimes look and feel cheap. I also don't like the idea of hot air coming through a plastic stem into my mouth. Plastic leeches chemicals over time, even at room temp.
I like the ebonite stems just fine. I haven't owned one long enough to experience stem oxidization.
I always use softy pipe bits(pic related) when I smoke. It's just more comfortable than the harder stem and it saves the stem from tooth marks.

 

[Blackhorse]

I prefer acrylic. Very durable, easy to work on, often strikingly beautiful.

 

[Singed]

I have both Ebonite (Vulcanite) and Acrylic. Both have their merits, Vulcanite is softer and kinder to a clencher like myself, Acrylic has many cosmetic or stylistic possibilities. For the record, Cumberland stems, Vulcanite with a colour additive, is also a very attractive style option but the versatility of acrylic is much higher. Plastic stems I have only encountered on my Legend cobs, they are, like the cobs themselves, a disposable option for an enjoyable while utilitarian pipe.

 

[Aussiemike]

Being a "barbarian" As long as I can throw a pipe cleaner through it and it delivers the smoke from A to B I am happy.
I do like the softer bits but it would have no bearing what bit it had if I like the pipe.
Good on you northernpiper giving pipe making a crack the more artisans the better. Other than cobs if I were to buy a newey it would be from an artisan like owl pipes,danger or hwiebepipes both to support them but more importantly they make unique pipes I reckon.

 

[occidentalist]

Vulcanite and acrylic for comfort.

Just bought a pipe with a cultured amber stem. It's gorgeous but rather hard.

 

[PLANofMAN]

I like vulcanite, and Cumberland vulcanite is NICE! I don't care for acrylic or nylon. Feels too plasticy.