New pipe - stem twist

I

i550r

Lurker

Sep 17, 2018

6

0

• Sep 17, 2018

• #1

Hello everyone,
It's my first post here, I guess I'll start a new thread to introduce myself in the appropriate section.

I would really appreciate your opinion on what to do regarding this imperfection I noticed on my new pipe.
Today I received a Savinelli 614 Roma Lucite I've ordered from a tobacconist online. Immediately after opening the box I noticed a significant twist in the stem, as you can hopefully see from the image below.
Is this a common issue or is it something worth writing about to the tobacconist?

I own several other pipes, none of which have this problem, even though all of them are made by less renowned manufacturers.

I guess it won't have an impact on the functionality of the pipe, but to be honest I didn't expect such imperfections from Savinelli.

Thanks in advance!
i550r

 

jaytex1969

Lifer

Jun 6, 2017

9,520

50,598

Here

• Sep 17, 2018

• #2

If you're dissatisfied, send it back.
My understanding is that lucite is shaped with heat and that later heat exposure causes it to try to "go straight" again.
Maybe a bad day at the factory or maybe exposed to heat along the way?
Either way, make yourself happy. If you are going to be annoyed every time you smoke it, it's not worth keeping it. Or, if you're a flexible fellow aesthetically, send the seller the photo and ask what they will do. They may offer a swap, or an upgrade or a killer discount.
Nice looking pipe, though, from the google pics of that model. Welcome to the forum!

 

I

i550r

Lurker

Sep 17, 2018

6

0

• Sep 17, 2018

• #3

Thanks for the suggestion and the welcome Jay. You're right about that, it's better I contact them.

Apart from that, it is a beautiful pipe indeed, can't wait to try it! Here's a better photo.

 

jaytex1969

Lifer

Jun 6, 2017

9,520

50,598

Here

• Sep 17, 2018

• #4

I have the 111KS from the Roma series.
It's my champion latakia pipe.

 

Briar Baron

Can't Leave

Sep 30, 2016

440

569

Sydney

• Sep 17, 2018

• #5

I would contact the vendor, in my opinion that is not acceptable.
I once purchased a new high end Castello (Collection) and sent it back due to poor drilling. They all make mistakes occasionally.

 

skeeter456

Part of the Furniture Now

Mar 28, 2017

590

1,429

34

Plattsburgh NY

• Sep 17, 2018

• #6

Yup id have to send that back

 

bnichols23

Lifer

Mar 13, 2018

4,131

9,554

SC Piedmont

• Sep 18, 2018

• #7

Urk. I've seen stem imperfections, but never anything like that. YIKES!
BTW, welcome, i550! Glad to have you here! Drop a note telling us a little about yourself in the introductions forum!
Bill

 

jpmcwjr

Moderator

Staff member

May 12, 2015

24,724

27,326

Carmel Valley, CA

• Sep 18, 2018

• #8

You could also contact the seller with the photo, and suggest you try to straighten it with hot water, but with their back up of a new stem or pipe in case it fails....
And, yes, nice looker!

 

I

i550r

Lurker

Sep 17, 2018

6

0

• Sep 18, 2018

• #9

Thank you everyone for the advice, the consensus is clear

I was considering trying to straighten it up myself, but didn't want to risk it with my newest and best pipe.
I'm only sad to have to return it because this was the last pipe of this model the seller had. It means I won't be getting a replacement for a while...

 

I

i550r

Lurker

Sep 17, 2018

6

0

• Sep 18, 2018

• #10

Well, this thread has reached its conclusion. I couldn't resist anymore, I like the pipe too much and decided to embrace the imperfection :P I started breaking it in with a nice half-bowl of Dunhill EMP.

All I have to say is that it's an amazing smoker and the most comfortable pipe I own (I bought it specifically for writing).

I might consider fixing the stem sometime in the future, who knows...
Thanks again to everyone, and I'm sorry to have ignored your expert advice in the end, I admit my weakness

 

tkcolo

Starting to Get Obsessed

Apr 30, 2018

240

329

51

Granby, CO

• Sep 18, 2018

• #11

Practice on some junkers first, then fix it. That would take 5 minutes to fix without damage. I'd use a heat gun, but I've done this maybe 5 times. It's easy to do. Don't forget to stuff the air hole with cleaners, and keep the heat gun moving. Go slow and you will be fine.

 

lawdawg

Lifer

Aug 25, 2016

1,792

3,803

• Sep 18, 2018

• #12

I'm going to offer a bit of a dissenting opinion, at least as a view to consider. I've got a large bent billiard "Mountbatten" which was either a Charatan second, or made by Charatan apprentices. The drilling of the briar is perfect, but the stem is quite crooked. It is a fantastic smoker, and one of my favorite pipes for English blends. The crookedness of the stem is not bothersome at all. Of course, the Mountbatten is a $20.00 estate pipe, and it's fair to hold a brand new (non-seconds) pipe of any make to a higher standard. If it's a good smoker though, then you made the right call in keeping it.

 

A

aldecaker

Lifer

Feb 13, 2015

4,407

42

• Sep 18, 2018

• #13

One of my Stanwell straight bulldogs (Shape 32) has the button and slot clocked about the same as yours, maybe a little more. It turned out to be a happy accident, because I really like the way it sits when clenching, and wouldn't want to change it.