Stem to thin? Will it crack?

[KinnScience]

Anyone ever have a stem crack/break because it was too thin when it was made? I bought this Johs sharktooth sitter and when I got it I thought, wow this stem is really thin. Am I being overly cautious?

[KinnScience]

Originally Posted by KinnScience

Anyone ever have a stem crack/break because it was too thin when it was made? I bought this Johs sharktooth sitter and when I got it I thought, wow this stem is really thin. Am I being overly cautious?

Photo: it is the one on the far left:

[DubintheDam]

A thin stem usually means a very comfortable stem and some very handy craftsmanship. I'd just enjoy the pipe.

[KinnScience]

Originally Posted by DubintheDam

A thin stem usually means a very comfortable stem and some very handy craftsmanship. I'd just enjoy the pipe.

Ok .. my mistake. I meant "Shank" ... (yup, I do feel stupid)

[dillonmcmurphy]

I've never had or seen a pipe with a thin shank like that... are the walls of the shank thick? All I can see from the pic is that the shank diameter is small.

[wharfrathoss]

i have a couple pipes w/pencil thin shanks & have had no problems. like mentioned above, it matters how thick the walls of the shank are. i just treat them a little more delicately than their thicker shanked brothers.

[KinnScience]

Originally Posted by dillonmcmurphy

I've never had or seen a pipe with a thin shank like that... are the walls of the shank thick? All I can see from the pic is that the shank diameter is small.

The walls are thinner any of the other pipes I have except maybe the Stanwell Golden Danish on the right (on the far left in the pic with the 3 pipes). It does concern me, but I do not know the strength of briar wood. Please look at the photos and tell me what you think. The diameter of the shank is identical to the golden Danish (brown), however the Johs (newer .. on left-orange) has a bigger bowl. I also used a penny in the other shot as reference, along with a third pic showing 3 pipes (Golden Danish far left, Johs-middle, another stanwell-far right) .. again for reference.

The thickness of the walls seems very close to the Golden Danish, but the structure is different (the GD rounds out on the bottom which would, maybe, provide more strength to the shank).

Anyway, if it were bamboo I would not be concerned.. but I do not know the physical properties of briar and so I wonder if this is a shank that will last.

I really like this pipe. It is so well balanced .. it is absolutely the best Johs I have ever handled. I just wish the shank were a bit thicker. Though I do know why it isn't .. it is because of the balance. It is a sitter .. and it is so precise that if you take the stem off ... it tips (the stem can't weigh more than a gram or two. I just hope they didn't sacrifice strength for balance.

OK, now that you all know I'm obsessed with details ... (sure why not ... call it OCD if it helps) I would greatly appreciate opinions.

[Vox3l]

Originally Posted by KinnScience

The walls are thinner any of the other pipes I have except maybe the Stanwell Golden Danish on the right (on the far left in the pic with the 3 pipes). It does concern me, but I do not know the strength of briar wood. Please look at the photos and tell me what you think. The diameter of the shank is identical to the golden Danish (brown), however the Johs (newer .. on left-orange) has a bigger bowl. I also used a penny in the other shot as reference, along with a third pic showing 3 pipes (Golden Danish far left, Johs-middle, another stanwell-far right) .. again for reference.

The thickness of the walls seems very close to the Golden Danish, but the structure is different (the GD rounds out on the bottom which would, maybe, provide more strength to the shank).

Anyway, if it were bamboo I would not be concerned.. but I do not know the physical properties of briar and so I wonder if this is a shank that will last.

I really like this pipe. It is so well balanced .. it is absolutely the best Johs I have ever handled. I just wish the shank were a bit thicker. Though I do know why it isn't .. it is because of the balance. It is a sitter .. and it is so precise that if you take the stem off ... it tips (the stem can't weigh more than a gram or two. I just hope they didn't sacrifice strength for balance.

OK, now that you all know I'm obsessed with details ... (sure why not ... call it OCD if it helps) I would greatly appreciate opinions.

If it were my pipe, I wouldn't worry about it. Are you going to be hanging it in your mouth? If not, I wouldn't give it a second thought. If every time it's off its base it'll be in your hand, I don't think the shank thickness will be a problem. But briar is strong, so even if you are hanging it in your mouth I don't think it will pose a problem! The shank doesn't look like it's long enough for the bowl to weigh it down to the point of breaking.

[KinnScience]

Originally Posted by Vox3l

If it were my pipe, I wouldn't worry about it. Are you going to be hanging it in your mouth? If not, I wouldn't give it a second thought. If every time it's off its base it'll be in your hand, I don't think the shank thickness will be a problem. But briar is strong, so even if you are hanging it in your mouth I don't think it will pose a problem! The shank doesn't look like it's long enough for the bowl to weigh it down to the point of breaking.

Thanks for the reply to this. I admit I'm concerned. I do hang all my pipes (even giants) about 50% of the time (keep doing it more and more it seems)

Don't know why the photos didn't show. Here they are:

[Mad Hatter]

I don't think I'd get too wigged out about it Brian. That ol' briar is a little tougher than you're giving it credit for.

[KinnScience]

Originally Posted by Mad Hatter

I don't think I'd get too wigged out about it Brian. That ol' briar is a little tougher than you're giving it credit for.

Thanks bro,

I have actually held off on smoking the pipe .. and I am anxious to smoke it ... I just know it is going to be great. Just has that "feel" to it .. if ya know what I mean. It sits sooo nice in my jaw ... for the size of the bowl .. I hardly know it is there. I guess one would call that "balance".

I appreciate all remarks on this. It just seems like such a thin stem for the size of the bowl ... but I feel much better now.