How to Free a Stuck Stem?

[Briar Lee]

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and one of these pipes is a generic counterfeit.



The counterfeit has a stuck stem at 8 and 2 o’clock counter clockwise, so tight I’m afraid I’ll crack the shank turning it.



Any suggestions?

I’m inclined to freeze it.

 

[ssjones]

Freezing usually works, work gently out of the freezer!

 

[Briar Lee]

Freezing made me able to remove the stem and clean it up.

I don’t think this hand made, hand carved, and hand stemmed Benchmade is a Maxman Benchmade counterfeit.

The pipe will only sit with the stem in one position.

This was made by Cowan’s crew, and sold by Wally Frank as a famous maker over stock.

 

[anthonyrosenthal74]

Freezing usually works, work gently out of the freezer!

This! Sometimes takes a few minutes, sometimes a little longer, but it's saved me from anxiety a number of times.

 

[anotherbob]

obviously that's the angle it's meant to be at. The trend of off kilter pipe angles never really took off.

 

[Briar Lee]

After you freeze it, and it comes off, then beeswax it!

Add beeswax all over, stem and stummel.