To Straighten Stem or not To straighten stem???

[nogbert]

newest PAD, no name czech pipe. got it for its looks/small form factor.

as you can see however, the stem is for a bent pipe, but the shank is a straight shape, making for very difficult lighting. the question is should i reform the stem to make it straight?

if so, how would i go about doing this?

thanks

Ian

edit: almost forgot picture

 

[Kapnismologist]

Bending a Vulcanite stem is super easy: 1) Heat up the stem CAREFULLY until it is just starts to get 'floppy' (I use a hot air gun); 2) bend carefully to the shape you want (be careful to be sure everything is even before the stem starts to re-harden); 3) allow to cool; 4) wax and buff as needed.

 

[ZuluCollector]

One tiny addition: be sure to put a pipe cleaner in the stem before bending it so that the airway stays open.

 

[nogbert]

sounds easy enough.

do the experts here on BoB recommend this procedure? in your opinion, does it look like i should straighten it?

 

[Zeno Marx]

you can also use hot water (pot of boiling water and then heat shut off), though it will quickly turn green. seems like a hot air gun would also oxidize it, but I haven't used that process before. Does it turn it green?

I don't recommend re-bending because I HATE buffing pipe stems. No damage or permanent problems are likely to occur, though.

 

[Kapnismologist]

sounds easy enough.

do the experts here on BoB recommend this procedure? in your opinion, does it look like i should straighten it?

Yes and yes. And, no using a heat gun will not cause oxidation in the way that hot water will.

 

[LL]

One tiny addition: be sure to put a pipe cleaner in the stem before bending it so that the airway stays open.

That's the tobacciana equivalent of an old wive's tale. I've bent/unbent many thousands of stems of all kinds, never once put anything in the airway of any of them, and never had one close.

 

[nogbert]

thanks for all the help. unfortunately this is no longer an issue. i discovered a crack running in the shank and promptly took it back to the store i got it from. the guy gave me the next closest pipe to replace it, which happened to be an upgrade! im not complaining

check it out in PAD


thanks again guys