I am not a plumber, but my Dad was.

Dad used the old-fashioned green paste pipe dope. He refused to use any of the teflon-based lubricants on pipe thread.

His reason: Pipe thread is tapered. Teflon is an excellent lubricant, and it is easy with the paste to overtighten the joint to the point of damage (splitting). The tape will come apart if not perfectly wrapped, get in the joint; or like the paste, cause the fitting to split.

He did use the teflon tape. He thought it excellent for marking small trees, stakes for a fence, etc. However, where I now reside, we have an abundance of deer, and they will eat the teflon tape; so I guess I don't have a good use for it.

Maybe it could be used to wrap Christmas presents???

Jon.