Received a new and unsmoked pipe yesterday. I noticed straight off the vulcanite stem was far less glossy than I'm used to seeing from new pipes. As soon as I tried the draw I was punched in the face by an overwhelming aroma of burnt rubber. After a light cleaning the aroma was undaunted and a foul aftertaste remained for a long while after merely drawing on the pipe.
The odor seems to be centered around a single point, where the V-groove begins to widen to meet the button.
My initial impression was the vulcanite is oxidized, though I have no experience with this. None of my vulcanite stemmed pipes (new and estate) have exhibited an aroma like this. I'm not sure if the fact that the odor seems to be centered near the V-groove suggests a construction issue like a scorch during drilling, for example.
Any insight?
The odor seems to be centered around a single point, where the V-groove begins to widen to meet the button.
My initial impression was the vulcanite is oxidized, though I have no experience with this. None of my vulcanite stemmed pipes (new and estate) have exhibited an aroma like this. I'm not sure if the fact that the odor seems to be centered near the V-groove suggests a construction issue like a scorch during drilling, for example.
Any insight?