Quote Originally Posted by MrMotoyoshi View Post
I used to use them but I have given up except for my birth year Dunhill. I would like that pipe to stay pristine.

My reasoning is multifaceted.

1. A work of art. The stem is one of the most used parts of the pipe, if not the most. The pipe crafters (the good ones) take their time to make it comfortable and a work of art on its own. Putting that rubber/vinyl piece on goes against all the hard work that went into making it. I also don't like the look of it.

2. That nasty nasty. Drool, tobacco juice and whatever else is going to collect under there. If you're using the rubber bits they become destroyed by constantly putting them on and taking them off (in addition to the biting while clenching). If it's a bit that you're leaving on, all that saliva and juicy goodness stays there and festers.

3. Stems with character. After all they are my pipes and I think a pipe with teeth marks has character and looks loved. Besides, you can always clean your vulcanite stems. It's part of the stewardship of a pipe IMO. Estates with chatter are commonplace so why should I not enjoy my pipe to the fullest while it's mine?

These are just my thoughts. For all the people that use them please don't take this as me bashing you. Everyone enjoys their pipes differently.
Quote Originally Posted by LandonColby View Post
No. I think they look tacky, and make the stem to large and uncomfortable to clench...I prefer thin or saddle bit stems so when I clench I'm actually biting down on more of the stem than just the very end. This is more comfortable IMO as I don't need to really bite it just hangs there, also meaning I don't have an issue with tooth marks.
@MrMotoyoshi and @LandonColby, will you two guys get out of my head! I thought that I wrote your posts but you wrote mine!

I'm a dedicated clencher and I've owned most of my rotation for around 30 years. I groove every one similarly but of the hundreds of pipes that I've smoked (about 40 in my current rotation) I've never bitten through one but I have cracked the button twice.

The shape of your teeth is key - some mentioning that they punch holes in the stems sounds like they have sharp teeth. How hard you clench is a factor too. It comes down to what you're comfortable with and with anything on my bits, I'm not. I've tried, but I get that chalk on blackboard squeak and I have to run and pee.