I have a Peterson Kinsale XL14 with vulcanite fishtail stem that I bought new a couple years back. It has been used fairly regularly (about once every 1-2 weeks). The stem has become quite difficult to twist off. I know some pipe smokers tend not to remove the stem and prefer to just clean it as is. I usually remove the stem to more thoroughly clean the pipe.
Any thoughts on why the pipe to shank fit is tight? Should I worry about snapping the stem (even if it is fairly stout)? What can be done to remedy this problem without making it worse (especially, for instance, too loose)?
Any thoughts on why the pipe to shank fit is tight? Should I worry about snapping the stem (even if it is fairly stout)? What can be done to remedy this problem without making it worse (especially, for instance, too loose)?