Should you be worried about chips, pits, and flaws in your pipe? Can these lead to a burnout?
Nearly every briar pipe has some sort of natural flaw, such as minor pits, splits, or other imperfections in the wood. Often these imperfections are so tiny they cannot be seen with the naked eye, and the craftsman will also take measures to make them "invisible" through adroit shaping, use of rustication, sandblasting, etc. However, if the imperfections are too large they affect not only the aesthetics, but, much worse, the smokability of the pipe.
It's very difficult to give specific advice about a pipe without being able to examine it. But if you detect a crack in the briar that is clearly visible, it could indicate a potential problem.
A burnout occurs when overheating causes a hole to be burned completely through the wood. Cracks and splits can also occur due to overheating, but they are technically not considered burnouts. If the briar was improperly cured, or if it has been improperly cared for, the heat and moisture absorption can cause the wood to expand excessively and split.
Also, the temperature of the bowl is very significant. If the pipe becomes uncomfortable to hold, it is definitely burning too hot. Most often this is a result of improper smoking technique, but it can sometimes be caused by the qualities of the briar or pipe design itself. In either case, if the bowl becomes too hot, it is definitely time to set the pipe down. Some folks say if you cannot comfortably hold the pipe against your face, then it is too hot. In such cases, simply let it go out and cool down a bit before relighting.
If the crack in your pipe worsens, the pipe may be rendered unsmokable. But in many cases, a skilled pipe repairman can restore the pipe to smokable condition. The cost will vary depending on the necessary repairs, but if it is a favorite pipe or one with high value, the expense can easily be justified.
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