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How to Determine If a Pipe Stem Is Vulcanite

Vulcanite is a compound of rubber and sulfur that is mixed at high temperatures and then compressed into a rigid material before being formed into pipe stems. Vulcanite stems replaced older bone and reed stems in pipes until the 1980s when lucite, an acrylic compound, became a popular replacement for vulcanite. Lucite stems share many similar properties with vulcanite stems, but are less prone to oxidation and offer several different color options. These differences help differentiate between the two types of stems. Many older estate pipes, and some premium pipe manufactures, continue to use vulcanite stems as some smokers find the stems softer than their modern lucite counterparts.

Things You'll Need

Pipe stem
Lighter

Instructions

- 1
  Look at the stem. A vast majority of vulcanite stems are solid black or black with some sort of maker's mark along the side. Heavily used vulcanite stems may also have teeth marks around the bit, or the piece that is held in the mouth. Lucite stems, while available in many colors, can also be found in black but may have fewer or more shallow bite marks on the bit.
- 2
  Check the stem for oxidation. Vulcanite pipe stems oxidize very easily. Oxidation will most likely be visible on the stem around the bit. Oxidation will look pale green or greenish brown on the black vulcanite. Most oxidation can be removed by buffing the stem with a rag and an all porpoise household cleaner like Bar Keepers Friend.
- 3
  Heat the stem and sniff it. Vulcanite is very easy to bend when heated, so do not apply any pressure to the stem when it is hot. Hold a low flame 3 to 4 inches from the stem. Waif the air around the heated stem toward you using your hand. When heated Vulcanite will smell like burning rubber.

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