Report on smoking it: Just fine! Only disappointment is a small area on the inner rim of the bowl has charred. Not smudged, but actually charred. I am pretty careful about not scorching my rims, but there must be a soft spot in the briar there. Probably only the smoker would take note of it though.
Very happy with the pipe, and thanks for the encomiums*, gents!
*Word of the Day, June, 1964.