Vulcanite or Acrylic Stems

drac2485

Since no one has brought it up... Do you have a preference for the type of stem material the pipe uses, acrylic or vulcanite?  Is it for aesthetic purposes or functional purposes?

drac2485

I like the visual appearance of the acrylic stems due to them not being just black.  I also like the fact that acrylic doesn't oxidize like the vulcanite stems do.  I use softy bits or heat shrink on the stem to soften them up and protect them so I don't worry about which material is softer.

tomatobodhi

I like acrylic for the same reasons you list. I like some of the acrylic stems that have whirls of color in them. I hate the way the acrylic oxidizes, too. I don't use soft bits because they feel huge in my mouth, but the acrylic stems don't bother me to clench. I like that it takes more to score the acrylic with teeth marks.

Having said all that, I understand that vulcanite can be polished brilliantly and can be brought back to life even after years of abuse. I haven't done any real pipe restoring, but I've seen some of the jobs other people have done, and those vulcanite stems can really be something when they've been treated right.

drac2485

@tomatobodhi I've seen what some people can do to that oxidized stem and I'm amazed as well.  I know it takes time and practice and have attempted a couple with good results, until I smoked them and then anything my mouth touched turned right back to green, and yes I oiled them up after getting them shiny.

tomatobodhi

I think some folks wax the stems with the same wax they use on the pipe itself to keep them from oxidizing so quickly, but you'd have to check on that. I may have misunderstood.

PappyJoe

I like acrylic stems.

PipeProfessor

I prefer acrylics, they keep their shine longer, are harder, and come in amazing colors. 

drac2485

@tomatobodhi  I know some that wax them and it makes sense to however I see the oil coating better in the long run. I think I may have to try wax at least on the stems I bring back to life next time

Darmon

I prefer acrylics if they have a softy bit on them, since I clinch quite a bit. If no softy then vulcanite since its more comfortable.

JosiahWN

I gotta say Acrylics as well. They are much more appealing in a lot of ways.

thesubcon

TOTALLY acrylic...I seriously do not at ALL buy the "it's softer" argument of vulcanite. #1 your teeth can't tell, #2 who cares. Why is softer somehow better....it's no more than in infinitesimal difference at best. Sorry...soap box over ;-)

thesubcon

Also who wants all that maintenance of a constantly pukey-yellow turning stem? Gross

thewanderingdude

I never thought I would be an acrylic guy, but here I am. I will even pass on new pipes for one with an acrylic stem nowadays.

drac2485

@thesubcon  Yeah that's my least favorite thing about estates.  Knock on wood I haven't had any issue with it with my pipes except a few estates I have that are older than me.  And like a lot I prefer acrylic over vulcanite for that reason and acrylics can look nicer. 

thesubcon

@drac2485 totally!! they are way better in my opinion.

IndyJG

Acrylics for me and I usually use the rubber softy bits as well. All the pipes I own have acrylic stems: Cavicchi, Jacono, and Radice.

ghostsofpompeii

I prefer acrylics as well because of the staining issues. And most of the beautiful stems are done in acrylics like the red and black swirled Peterson Dracula pipes.