Stem problem on a new pipe

[iajaffe]

So I bought my first churchwarden (Savinelli) at the LV pipe show and LOVE it....but now I have a problem. The tenon of the stem is not the same length of the mortise so there is a 1/6" gap from the end of the stem to where it meets inside of the pipe. I get 20 minutes of wonderful smoking and then I arrive at Gurgle City. And due to the narrowness a pipe cleaner it cannot absorb all of the moisture buildup.
What to do? I love this pipe, but I lose more than half a bowl each time.

 

[bubbadreier]

Have you tried smoking very slow? That gap between the tenon and the mortise is supposed to be there! That is there to allow for the wood to expand and cantrast due to temperature and altitude changes.

 

[unclearthur]

Smoke slowly and non aromatics tend to far less gurgle.

 

[surfmac211]

Try to lightly blow into the pipe. That usually works for me. You might have to do it a couple of times though.

 

[hauntedmyst]

I've found most wet smoking pipes are a result of too small a bore, not tenon gap. If you are handy with a drill and have some bits, try CAREFULLY drilling out both the stem and shank very very lightly. You may want to counter sink the face of the stem first and see how that works. Its not hard to do this if you go very slowly with a variable speed drill. I've done this to every pipe I had thats smoked wet and now they are perfect.

 

[searock]

All the above is good advice... You guys really know your stuff!

 

[yachtexplorer]

If all else fails run a pipe cleaner through the pipe, without taking the stem off. They do make longer pipe cleaners for churchwardens.

 

[ohin3]

So true Hauntedmyst. I was on the verge of trading or selling my Bjarne Viking apple. Smoked hot and horribly wet. Got so hot that the finish on the pipe peeled. I decided to keep it for experimenting purposes. I very carefully took the finish completely off leaving only the stain, and I drilled out the very very narrow daft hole. It is one of my finest and most relaxing smokers now and I wouldn't sell it for the world. Smokes cool and seems to keep whatever is smouldering inside of it lit. Larger bowl than most of my pipes so it's a frequent movie companion as well.