Has anyone ever cut a pipe stem down (Vulcanite) on purpose or as I just did (LOL) by accident? About a little over a quarter of an inch broke off as I was attempting to make it fit tighter in the sterling silver mount as it was tapered too narrow. I used the hair dryer to heat it and drill bit but that did not work, so I went for the open flame with the lighter as I had success with that before. As I was pressing it down to make it fatter I applied too much pressure and it snapped, must have made it too soft . . . but Voila! It fits now much better, but sightly shorter. I don't think it's a big deal. I don't even know if it was the original stem because if it was why then was it so loose? It's still a long pipe and not a nose warmer. I am cleaning the gunk off the rim now, and I'm going to buff up the silver mount and bowl as well.