I had bought a pipe and couldn't get the stem off. I didn't know if it had a push stem or metal fitment. I took a chance and held the briar tightly next to the stem while cranking the stem to the left. Turned out it was a push stem someone had GLUED TO THE SHANK. It gave a loud crack as the glue gave way, but luckily no damage, and it cleaned up perfectly. The stem is still one of the tightest I have, but better than a loose one. I say give it a good crank. The worst that could happen is you break or crack the shank. Dirty as it is, your best bet is still to draw some heat in there then crank it. Briar is some of the toughest wood on the planet, and with the heat, chances are the glue will give before it breaks. Clean the bowl, draw some flame into it, remove the stem. You can't smoke it the way it is and you can't smoke it if its broken. I had a strong attachment to the pipe I risked breaking (another story) but half measures avail me nothing so I took the chance. No lateral force just good torque and something will give, hopefully in your favor. I strongly advise against putting the bowl in a vice and precisely twisting the stem with a wrench, unless that is your only option. Sounds like you've done all you can do to this point. Patience may reward your present course of action. Now I'm sounding like a fortune cookie......good luck!
