Softey bits

[Bk124tt]

I just received in the mail my first softey bits. I am a clincher. I have a bulldog that I love the look of but it was a uncomfortable pipe go clench and I was going to put it on the BST.
Que my first softey bit and it feels like a completely different pipe!
How do you like softey bits??

 

[Commander Quan]

I use them on all my pipes.

 

[Hangten]

I have never tried them, but sounds like I will give them a shot.

 

[john parker]

So far I cannot bite too hard with my dentures. Thought about them, but think I will wait awhile to see if they would be necessary.

 

[KenP]

I use them on all my pipes.

+1, I also use them on all my pipes, partially for resale value, partially because it feels better to me.

 

[Tim_McD]

I have them on almost every pipe; fishtail and P-Lp alike. They are comfortable and make the clench possible.

The only pipe that doesnt have one is my Stanwell churchwarden, because the stem tapers down too small for the bit. I keep meaning to buy a small piece of silicon tubing when I am in Home Depot or Lowes, but it has consistently slipped my mind

 

[Hirsute]

I don't like them. I clench lightly, so tooth marks aren't really an issue. I tried softies because I've heard they're better for your teeth and they're also cheap so why not try them, but I didn't like them. They added too much bulk and opened up my mouth a bit and I found I had to apply more pressure on the bit to clench comfortably.

 

[cb91710]

I don't like them. I clench lightly, so tooth marks aren't really an issue. I tried softies because I've heard they're better for your teeth and they're also cheap so why not try them, but I didn't like them. They added too much bulk and opened up my mouth a bit and I found I had to apply more pressure on the bit to clench comfortably.

Ditto. I removed them from all of my pipes.

 

[intotheforge]

I like them and use them on all my pipes.

 

[seanusa]

I use them just to protect the pipe, I tend to clench very hard

 

[oc_in_fw]

I don't like them. I clench lightly, so tooth marks aren't really an issue. I tried softies because I've heard they're better for your teeth and they're also cheap so why not try them, but I didn't like them. They added too much bulk and opened up my mouth a bit and I found I had to apply more pressure on the bit to clench comfortably.

On the converse, I have my LE Tinsky I am afraid of marring. I need to get some.

 

[jiminyshiznit]

I have them and use them only when I need to clench.. like if I'm working on something with both hands or drivin' my old pickup, but that isn't toooften. I do think they're bulky and awkward (drooling is awkward!), so if I'm sitting down to enjoy a pipe, which is 90% of my smoking time, I go without and just hold the pipe. If you cut the fat end off and put the remaining band snug to the button, leaving the button exposed, there's way less bulk and the protection is in the right spot. Even if you cover the button with the modified softy, there's way less bulk.

 

[Shave_Rat]

I don't like them. I clench lightly, so tooth marks aren't really an issue. I tried softies because I've heard they're better for your teeth and they're also cheap so why not try them, but I didn't like them. They added too much bulk and opened up my mouth a bit and I found I had to apply more pressure on the bit to clench comfortably.

Ditto. I removed them from all of my pipes.

I'm in this camp... got some included in a pipe PIF, tried one out, really didn't like the way it felt really thick compared to the plain stem, so I PIF'd the rest away with some pipes to another B&B member that was looking to give pipe's a shot.

 

[seanusa]

Honestly I like the size and feel of the hard bit but my teeth have some good points and I tend to clench hard and really don't want to ruin the stem of a pipe so I'm torn.

 

[Shave_Rat]

Honestly I like the size and feel of the hard bit but my teeth have some good points and I tend to clench hard and really don't want to ruin the stem of a pipe so I'm torn.

Some of the silicon tubing or shrink wrap tubing maybe more what you are looking for. Adds the protection, but doesn't increase the size or change the feel nearly as much as a softey bit does.

 

[Bk124tt]

I have been reading the responses as they come in. It really seems like our camp is split on these things.
For the particular pipe in the picture at the top it is a life saver for the reason of it being a straight out pipe causing it to be front heavy. The stem is a bit odd shape (octagon into a square) and a very hard stem. All of that together made for an uncomfortable clench. Aka the softey was a life saver.
In regards to one of my Savinelli's if is comfortable as a clenched but if looks as if an alligator has been chewing on it, so why not protect it. Especially since it doesn't add any discomfort (for me).
Granted what is good for one may not be good for another. It is however interesting to read everyone's opinion!

 

[seanusa]

I have been reading the responses as they come in. It really seems like our camp is split on these things.
For the particular pipe in the picture at the top it is a life saver for the reason of it being a straight out pipe causing it to be front heavy. The stem is a bit odd shape (octagon into a square) and a very hard stem. All of that together made for an uncomfortable clench. Aka the softey was a life saver.
In regards to one of my Savinelli's if is comfortable as a clenched but if looks as if an alligator has been chewing on it, so why not protect it. Especially since it doesn't add any discomfort (for me).
Granted what is good for one may not be good for another. It is however interesting to read everyone's opinion!

I agree with having some kind of protection, I think Shave_Rat has got me convinced on finding a tubing alternative. This way bits or protective sleeves could be custom cut as well. I have a new Peterson on the way and in the ball park of $100 I don't want the stem to be marred or even chewed through in time, I know it;s not hugely expensive for a pipe but it is hugely expensive for me and I plan on taking care of it any way I can.

 

[Bk124tt]

That is one sweet looking Peterson you have on the way!!

I agree with having some kind of protection, I think Shave_Rat has got me convinced on finding a tubing alternative. This way bits or protective sleeves could be custom cut as well. I have a new Peterson on the way and in the ball park of $100 I don't want the stem to be marred or even chewed through in time, I know it;s not hugely expensive for a pipe but it is hugely expensive for me and I plan on taking care of it any way I can.

 

[seanusa]

That is one sweet looking Peterson you have on the way!!

Thank you, me and the wife sat down and spent at least an hour looking at different styles which ultimately I picked the shape with her OK and then we picked the finish option from the many series available and then there were three, three of the same pipe, same finish just different grain patterns and I let her choose what looked the prettiest to her and I agreed. It was a wonderful experience to pick out a pipe with her to celebrate my promotion. In some ways it took the drudgery of factory work and brought it home as a special occasion to be shared between friends and lovers and I think that will make this pipe all the more special to us as the years go by.

 

[Bk124tt]

Thank you, me and the wife sat down and spent at least an hour looking at different styles which ultimately I picked the shape with her OK and then we picked the finish option from the many series available and then there were three, three of the same pipe, same finish just different grain patterns and I let her choose what looked the prettiest to her and I agreed. It was a wonderful experience to pick out a pipe with her to celebrate my promotion. In some ways it took the drudgery of factory work and brought it home as a special occasion to be shared between friends and lovers and I think that will make this pipe all the more special to us as the years go by.

Wow!!!!! That sounds awesome!! You guys obviously have something very special!
Congrats on the promotion by the way.....
That pipe will be that much sweeter!