I know many Bamboo shank pipes are reinforced with steel tubing. I have also seen this on Briar pipes, especially longer pipes and pipes with thin (pencil) shanks. My questions are does this tubing tend to interfere when passing a pipe cleaner through it, and does the shank get hotter because of the heat conducting properties of steel and other metals? I am talking to a carver about my next four commissions, one of which will be a Pencil Shank Billiard, between 6 1/4" & 6 1/2" long. What are the advantages and disadvantages of having it reinforced with steel tubing inside the shank, connecting to the tenon? Anybody have pipes like this?
Tim
Tim