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Vulcanite stems

Columbo

Mr. Codgers Neighborhood
My understanding with the Savinelli Roma pipes is that they are rubber stemmed. For about $10-$15 more, they sell the Roma Lucite model, which is the same nice looking Roma with acrylic stems.

One nice feature of the acrylic stem Romas is you can get some attractive, and unique, color patterns on them.


I don't think modern vulcanite stems are as good as those from decades past. My '59 London Comoy's vulcanite is a cut above any other in my rotation. And I usually have to invest at least 30 minutes on a new Grabow to clean up theirs to my liking.

So unless it is a mouth feel issue, I normally steer those on the fence to the acrylic ones. It's worth the extra couple dollars in most instances with a new factory pipe.
 
Ever since I came back to the hobby and found myself sanding my old vulcanite stems from the '80s -- a heck of a job if you have joint pains -- I've preferred acrylic stems on my purchases. A lot of vintage pipes didn't have that technology, though. If I buy a vulcanite, it's got to be refurbished already, and I keep it that way with the special oil.

Between the two as far as mouth feel, I have no preference, since I clench very little. The horn- stemmed pipes I have feel very different -- softer.
 
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