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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.

Man you are dumb!

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.

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.

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.

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.

You wouldn't have any pipe chewed through it if you used Ultem!

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.

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.

I just think it makes too much sense to make it otherwise.

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.

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.

Leus wrote:You wouldn't have any pipe chewed through it if you used Ultem!

lol

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.

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.

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.

What Mr. Teipen said , plus don't look a gift horse in the mouth. I fixed 2 of the little bastards today. For money.