Pipe With A Scratchy Throat

[groovediggerdan]

I've noticed when using pipe cleaners that occasionally the wire on the end will scratch the stem right at the bend. I shined a flashlight in the stem and there's scratches in the top of the "throat". Is this kind of thing par for the course, or is there some trick to cleaning a bent stem that I haven't figured out yet? Should I be concerned about these scratches? FYI I'm using the BJ Long standard pipe cleaners, not bristled, not tapered. Thanks all!
-Dan

 

[sablebrush52]

For bents, I usually bend the pipe cleaner so that it is already curved before inserting it into the stem. Perhaps that will mitigate the problem.

 

[derekflint]

I hate when that happens...don't look inside anymore.