Pipe Shank Drilling Question

[MCJ]

Have a question regarding two of my higher-end Artisan pipes -- a Mark Balkovec freehand estate pipe that was pre-smoked when I got it, and a Rolando Negoita cherrywood estate (just purchased from smokingpipes.com) that is unsmoked. Both these pipes (Balkovec on left in photo, Negoita on right) have the same small indentation/cutout at 6 o-clock on the shank. When I purchased the pre-smoked Balkovec I thought the mark might be a blemish or else a chip caused by prior owner, but as the Negoita is "new" and the mark is exactly the same shape and in exactly the same position as the Balkovec both pipes seem to have been clearly made that way by their respective makers. Any explanations?

 

[doctorbob]

That's a drilling artifact as a result of cutting an off axis airway as compared to the mortice axis in a bent pipe.

 

[MCJ]

That's a drilling artifact as a result of cutting an off axis airway as compared to the mortice axis in a bent pipe.

Is it anything to be concerned about? Sounds like it may be a somewhat common occurrence? Doesn't seem to affect the fit of the stems at all on either pipe. Just want to make sure since I paid a pretty good amount for the (unsmoked) Negoita I just got from SP, especially.

 

[RustiePyles CPG]

Completely normal on pipes with bent shanks. Lots of factory pipes have it as well. Absolutely nothing to be concerned about.

 

[MCJ]

Completely normal on pipes with bent shanks. Lots of factory pipes have it as well. Absolutely nothing to be concerned about.

Thanks much. Almost all my briars (with the exception of these two, and maybe one other) are straight shanks, which explains why I haven't seen it before. So good to hear that this drilling artifact is normal for bent shank pipes!