Can You Identify this Substance?

[Spavilla]

EDIT: Fixed Capitalization in Title (See Rule 9)

This new pipe came in the mail today with this heretofore foreign material on the tenon and presumably in the mortise. It looks like some kind of putty to me and I am hoping it is not evidence of a repair. Does anyone know what it is and if it is something I should be concerned with?

 

[BROBS]

This new pipe came in the mail today with this heretofore foreign material on the tenon and presumably in the mortise. It looks like some kind of putty to me and I am hoping it is not evidence of a repair. Does anyone know what it is and if it is something I should be concerned with? View attachment 42203

Graphite? With sawdust stuck to it?

 

[Spavilla]

Graphite? With sawdust stuck to it?

No, more uniform. Almost clay-like (or wood filler).

 

[BROBS]

The red looking stuff? That’s caked sawdust IMO

 

[Spavilla]

Poor quality control under any circumstances. I have never seen on any other pipe out-of-the-box.

 

[BROBS]

What kind of pipe is it?

some sawdust is normal in a new pipe.

 

[workman]

It looks like briar dust from the sanding. I've seen in a couple of pipes. I don't have many pipes, so I guess it's quite common.
Try and put a wet pipecleaner into the mortise and see if it comes out red.

 

[Spavilla]

It's a Savinelli. I have over a dozen and this is the first time I've seen it. As long as its not wood filler or any such repair putty, I'm ok with cleaning it out, but still consider it poor quality control for any pipe over $100. Thanks guys!

 

[Country Bladesmith]

Looks like really fine wood dust from sanding to me as well. Q-tip the mortise, and just wipe off the tenon.

 

[seanv]

Hot water rinse and a dry with paper towel and fluffy pipe cleaners. Enjoy your new pipe

 

[Spavilla]

No Worries-Thanks Again!

 

[BROBS]

What’s the logo on the stem? ?

 

[Spavilla]

It's a Sav "Hercules" 315EX