Thanks.
You can be sure that it is much stronger than you think and looks.
Yes, it really is...and all meers are for that matter. There is a common belief that they are very fragile, but it's just not so. I handle them the same as any briar pipe, and after many years now I've never had one break or crack.
With the stainless steel insert, I'm not at all concerned about this pencil shank...but I still do intend to handle it just a little more carefully perhaps.