I don't own any metal pipes, so I haven't observed (or not observed) this, however I have had a metal stinger pipe or two where the partly metal airway seemed to mute the flavor somewhat, notably an L.L. Bean pot shaped pipe. The stinger on that one didn't slip out, but another pipe I had, with a removable stinger gave improved flavor immediately when the stinger was removed. On the other hand, the metal stinger in my Kaywoodie Drinkless (which also has the thread that screws the stem to the shank) seems to deliver good flavor. It might be that a different bowl on the Falcon could deliver more flavor.