pencil shanks

[bregolad]

Several days ago, I dropped a pipe I was working on , and the shank just snapped right off (f***). The stummel/shank junction was no less than 1/2" diameter. I blame the wood (self cured olive), but I can't help feeling a little paranoid.
I've had an eye for very thin shanks lately, wasp waisted, pencil shanks, etc., but I was wondering what you all do to prevent cracking with such thin tolerances. I thought I might try some stainless steel tubing for reinforcement, and I couldn't think of anything else.
Thoughts?

[Dixie_piper]

Not sure about reinforcements, but I don't think letting the smoke come in contact with metal would do much for taste. Not to mention differential expansion and the chemicals usually on most metals. Thin shanks is pretty much just risky business, meh thinks.
Having dealt with smaller pieces of olive in the past, it does tend to gain "weak spots" for no resaon. And curing is out of my league, so I'm of no help there, or much of anywhere really...
But I can say for sure, that Olive wood is pretty cotton pickin tempermental

[Tyler]

Thoughts?

Use briar.

[Tyler]

OK...OK...smart aleck answer aside, stainless tubing would certainly help.

Dixie,

Stainless tubing is used in pipe making quite a lot. None of your concerns are an issue.

[caskwith]

I regularly make 10mm shanks from briar. Of course I dont drop them which helps

[TRS]

I regularly make 10mm shanks from briar. Of course I dont drop them which helps

Just curious, what size tenon do you use on a shank that thin? Thanks

[Dixie_piper]

OK...OK...smart aleck answer aside, stainless tubing would certainly help.

Dixie,

Stainless tubing is used in pipe making quite a lot. None of your concerns are an issue.

My bad, I'll go do more homework

[SimeonTurner]

Thoughts?

Use briar.

[Tyler]

OK...OK...smart aleck answer aside, stainless tubing would certainly help.

Dixie,

Stainless tubing is used in pipe making quite a lot. None of your concerns are an issue.

My bad, I'll go do more homework

No worries...just letting you know.

[caskwith]

I regularly make 10mm shanks from briar. Of course I dont drop them which helps

Just curious, what size tenon do you use on a shank that thin? Thanks

I use 6mm tenons on pretty much all of my pipes.