I agree with you, original poster, on rolling on. If this is a negative process, it is really subtle; real burn-outs often aren't. Secondly, the design of the pipe is sturdy. Third, Nording by reputation and in my experience builds work horse pipes at all price points. Other considerations are how many pipes you have in rotation -- more pipes make emerging troubles more remote, and what kind of smoker are you, a puffer or a sipper, and how often do you smoke a pipe. I repeat myself ... I don't think this is anything. You are new at this, so you get to be a pipe hypochondriac. Do a mental reset and enjoy your pipe, and count this as a good learning experience. That's a beautiful pipe. Pleasure is the object here. I have north of 80 pipes and they are (excuse me) tough mothers.