Dumbest question ever?
Dumbest question ever?
Why do pipes have removable stems? What does it add to a pipe? Does it make them easier to clean or smoke better? Are they removable just because they're a different material? Just realized I've always made them that way without ever knowing why.
Hello, I'm #1312.
That's a really big number.
That's a really big number.
Dumbest question ever?
Cleaning is a big part of it. It also makes the stem replaceable, which means you can keep smoking your favorite pipe after you've chewed holes, broken tenons, and slobbered it into oblivion.
Re: Dumbest question ever?
I guess you could always track down Random and ask him. Weren't one piece pipes kind of his thing?
I think mredmond hit it on the head. Makes perfect sense to me.
I think mredmond hit it on the head. Makes perfect sense to me.
Re: Dumbest question ever?
They used to be one piece, but their stems kept getting broken off. So they evolved and became a two piece object, so that when they lost their stem, they didn't loose their life. Much like the blue-tailed skink.
Re: Dumbest question ever?
Thanks fellas. It makes sense but how often do people really bite through stems? Must be more than I think if they changed pipe stems to be replaceable.
Hello, I'm #1312.
That's a really big number.
That's a really big number.
Re: Dumbest question ever?
You wouldn't have any pipe chewed through it if you used Ultem!
Dumbest question ever?
Browse ebay or antique stores for old pipes. You'll find shocking levels of abuse to both stems and bowls. Buttons chewed off, holes, cracks, etc, etc.
- Joe Hinkle Pipes
- Posts: 804
- Joined: Tue Feb 15, 2011 1:39 am
- Location: Lafayette Indiana
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Re: Dumbest question ever?
I think the removable stem is in response to wood not being a durable enough material when subjected to moisture. It's logical to assume that when you add a different material to the stummel it would be with a mortise and Tenon joint. Also I'm no expert, but I doubt there was a glue that was able to bond wood to rubber 300 years ago, thus the removable stem.
Re: Dumbest question ever?
I just think it makes too much sense to make it otherwise.
Re: Dumbest question ever?
This is kind of what I was thinking... today we do have the glue, so why not not use it. But you fellas are right, people do like to chew on their stems, so gluing them on like they're a shank extension would be bad when they need a new one.fuchi_jeg wrote:... Also I'm no expert, but I doubt there was a glue that was able to bond wood to rubber 300 years ago, thus the removable stem.
Hello, I'm #1312.
That's a really big number.
That's a really big number.
Re: Dumbest question ever?
lolLeus wrote:You wouldn't have any pipe chewed through it if you used Ultem!
Re: Dumbest question ever?
How would you drill the airway on a one piece pipe? There's a reason pipes without removable stems have thick tubular stems. The best you could do is an 1/8" airway all the way through I would think.
Re: Dumbest question ever?
There were quite a few strong glues more than 300 years ago, most were tree resin based and mixed with filler (such as powdered charcoal) which lessened the brittleness, bone glue is strong but smells even when set.
Some I have used in the past:
Bluebell sap- fletching arrows
Pine sap & charcoal (the original pine pitch)- fixing flint arrow heads, and yes they were tested on a target.
I have a couple of one piece briar pipes from the early 1900's (which came from Tom Colwells collection) both have straight through airways of .073" or 1.86mm (got a new toy )
David.
Some I have used in the past:
Bluebell sap- fletching arrows
Pine sap & charcoal (the original pine pitch)- fixing flint arrow heads, and yes they were tested on a target.
I have a couple of one piece briar pipes from the early 1900's (which came from Tom Colwells collection) both have straight through airways of .073" or 1.86mm (got a new toy )
David.
- Literaryworkshop
- Posts: 275
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- Location: Alabama Gulf Coast
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Re: Dumbest question ever?
Remember, too, that clay pipes predate briar pipes, and a clay stem would be too delicate, too hot, and too uncomfortable to hold in the teeth. Construction habits probably carried over to wooden pipes pretty naturally.
- Steve S.
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- Posts: 1056
- Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2013 6:25 pm
Re: Dumbest question ever?
What Mr. Teipen said , plus don't look a gift horse in the mouth. I fixed 2 of the little bastards today. For money.