Oxidation on new Vulcanite Stem?

[ra1nforest]

Hi all, I got my first vulcanite pipe just less than a month ago and I have been religiously cleaning and applying Obsidian oil after each smoke. Yet, my stem is starting to develop these marks:



What is that exactly? And is this just part of how vulcanite stems behave?

I am no clencher.

Thanks for your help and advice!

 

[GardenStateoftheArtBriar]

Tons of threads on the subject
Sable knows a lot on the topic

 

[ssjones]

Those look like teeth scratches, completely normal and to be expected.

 

[Waning Embers]

Hi all, I got my first vulcanite pipe just less than a month ago and I have been religiously cleaning and applying Obsidian oil after each smoke. Yet, my stem is starting to develop these marks:

View attachment 431472

What is that exactly? And is this just part of how vulcanite stems behave?

I am no clencher.

Thanks for your help and advice!

Depends on the quality of the vulcanite. Lower quality has higher percentages of sulphur in the formula and is more prone to oxidation. Light exposure, heat, and moisture accelerates the issue.

 

[Waning Embers]

Those look like teeth scratches, completely normal and to be expected.

Zoom in on the button.

 

[ssjones]

Zoom in on the button.

I did, looks like a used vulcanite button and oxidizes for the reasons you stated. Completely normal and to be expected.

 

[Waning Embers]

I did, looks like a used vulcanite button and oxidizes for the reasons you stated. Completely normal and to be expected.

Guess I've been lucky with good quality vulcanite.

 

[ra1nforest]

Those look like teeth scratches, completely normal and to be expected.

This is really surprising because I am not a clencher.

Also, if it is true that the vulcanite is of a low quality, that is disappointing because this pipe was made by a pretty well known artisan...

 

[Waning Embers]

This is really surprising because I am not a clencher.

Also, if it is true that the vulcanite is of a low quality, that is disappointing because this pipe was made by a pretty well known artisan...

Is it stored on a rack? Possibly near a window or a vent?

 

[ra1nforest]

Is it stored on a rack? Possibly near a window or a vent?

Always kept in my pipe pouch when not in used.

 

[ssjones]

What brand pipe is this?

 

[xrundog]

Those look like teeth scratches, completely normal and to be expected.

That’s what I see.

 

[sablebrush52]

Hi all, I got my first vulcanite pipe just less than a month ago and I have been religiously cleaning and applying Obsidian oil after each smoke. Yet, my stem is starting to develop these marks:

View attachment 431472

What is that exactly? And is this just part of how vulcanite stems behave?

I am no clencher.

Thanks for your help and advice!

The comments above are spot on, as far as they go. All Vulcanite is not the same. One other issue can be saliva pH. I can do all the right things and still dull the stem on some pipes, so I periodically use some Simichrome polish to remove the dullness and bring back the shine.