You're correct about the pipe cleaner; I was saying it is bad form to aggressively scrape the ash/dottle from the pipe as it can cause scarring that may ultimately progress toward burn out.Why do that when running a pipe cleaner from the stem into the chamber will dislodge the dottle enough to tap it out on your palm?
I've never dumped ash until I've finished smoking.
I'm an habitual smoker, and even pipes I've had for years look barely used. Many have adopted the habit of not building cake with
no damage to the pipe.
Rim and chamber of the above pictured pipe, now in my collection for 28 years.
View attachment 23275
The ash stir was a hypothetical situation whereby decades of repeated scenarios resembling the hypothetical could eventually compromise the integrity of the briar enough to cause burn out. Even though I was illustrating an exaggerated situation, when I smoke a deeply aged straight VA, the tobacco is indeed dense enough (caused when the tobacco shrinks as a result of enzymatic and microbial degradation of the tobacco during fermentation) that I must stir and dump the ash layer else it insulates the tobacco enough to prevent relight though I don't make the mistake of drawing deeper and more forcefully because I am aware the compressed ash is preventing an even burn. The aged straight VA is the only tobacco I have experienced this with but must presume there are other tobaccos that share similar densities. There are numerous possible explanations why your experience has been different than mine regarding the ash layer including the fill volume, pack style, the multiple dimensional variations of pipe used, cadence, whether the pipe is clenched or held in hand, experience (you may just be a master as compared to my being an amateur), etc however, there are numerous websites offering "how to smoke a pipe" tutorials including Peterson Pipes that explain how the ash layer can suffocate the embers and create the very scenario I described. I say this not to contradict your assessment but rather to clarify that my hypothetical scenario was meant to illustrate how unlikely a burnout is to occur without excessive neglect.
I also didn't mean any offense with my reference to the article about instrumental vs ritual use of the pipe, we are all individuals and therefore our personal experience is both unique and subjective. I merely extended my opinion on the practice I believe most readily develops reverence and respect for the hobby.
FWIW, that is a beautiful pipe sir.