Stems

It is always a pleasure and interesting to discuss pipes: observing their craftsmanship, manufacture, air hole / bore forature and finish help pipe enthusiasts feel that they are increasingly an integral part of this fascinating world, and of the pipe itself (if the tobacco is the “fuel” of our briar, the smoker is the “accelerator pedal”, ready to regulate the fuel and speed properly).

In addition to the briar, its appearance and the various shapes associated with it, one highly important aspect is the stem, an essential component that deserves special attention: let’s not forget that it is through this part that the most intimate contact is established, the real point of contact between the device and its owner.

The stem can be crafted in three main different types of material: ebonite, Lucite and the highly esteemed Cumberland, the latter being considered in the middle as far as durability and lack of oxidation are concerned. However, our main aim for now is to focus our attention not so much on the materials mentioned above (which will be dealt with in the future), as on the shapes of the stems themselves.

The following are the most common, basic types of stems:

• TAPERED: The classic of all classic shapes. It is a full stem, characterised by a gradual tapering, starting from the shank and finishing at the bit, cone-like in profile. A practical example of this type of stem can be found in pipes manufactured by Dunhill.

• SADDLE: Another extremely common shape. The saddle stem is cylindrical in shape at the shank, but then suddenly steps down to a much narrower profile, remaining constant and finishing at the bit. The saddle shape can be found in all types of manufacture, whether artisanal or not.  

• 

  MODERN TAPERED: This is not another shape, but a variation of the tapered stem. In this case the stem is not simply conical, but cylindrical near the shank and then narrows gently down to the bit. A prime example of this type can be found on Peterson pipes: the Irish manufacturers from Dublin tend to use full stems of this kind.

• HALF-SADDLE: The half saddle is a cross between a saddle and tapered stem. The step down from the initial part (and consequent reduction of material) appears either on the upper or lower part of the stem, never both at the same time.

The famous ARMY MOUNTED stem deserves a special mention.

This type of stem lacks a true tenon, and the conical end of the stem fits snugly with slight pressure directly into the shank. The real advantage for this type of mount is that the pipe can be easily pulled apart during a smoke, or when still hot.

A variation of this type of stem is the SPIGOT: an army mount with a metal (usually silver) covering on the end that fits into the shank. Apart from having the advantages of an army mount, its value lies in its aesthetic appearance.  

Having outlined the main shapes of a pipe stem, we can now turn to the three basic types of bits at the tip of the mouthpiece, whose features are evident through simple observation.

• STANDARD: This standard or classic shape features a stem that does not flare at the tip (although in some models the bit may flare very slightly) and is currently one of the most frequently used types of bit.

• FISHTAIL: The fishtail features a pronounced flare at the bit to enable the teeth to grip the stem more comfortably. This feature is widespread in various brands, and adds a touch of elegance to the model.

• P-LIP: The special type of “palatal” lip on the bit was patented by Peterson in Ireland. The hole in the lip button is on top, so that the smoke hits the palate and not the tongue, thus reducing tongue bite. The Dublin brand is currently the only one that consistently manufacturers this special P-Lip applied to various models in their catalogue.  

Of course, all the features described above may be applied both to straight and bent models of pipes.