I tend to chomp down pretty aggressively on my pipe stems when clenching them, so acrylic stems seem to hold up best for me. I do have an old Stanwell 30 with a vulcanite stem, and recently bought a Savinelli Roma which is described as also being vulcanite.
The two stems are VERY different in hardness, appearance, and durability. The old Stanwell (30 years) is much softer, like a very hard rubber, and oxidizes and shows every bite mark, whereas the Savinelli stem in much harder and glossier, and seems more resistant to marking. It looks and feels more like acrylic.
Just different types/grades of vulcanite?
The two stems are VERY different in hardness, appearance, and durability. The old Stanwell (30 years) is much softer, like a very hard rubber, and oxidizes and shows every bite mark, whereas the Savinelli stem in much harder and glossier, and seems more resistant to marking. It looks and feels more like acrylic.
Just different types/grades of vulcanite?