Are you afraid to smoke your pipe?

if you use a zippo pipe lighter, you'd really have to try to char a rim-i use wood matches for the charring light, not much danger there either-both of the above burn at fairly low temps compared to a butane soft flame lighter-i always put the carnuba wax on a bit thicker on the rim, adds a little more protection

Personally i will not buy am pipe that is not to be smoked. I have enough clutter at my house as it is. Care can help protect the rim but getting that first rim darkening...trust me...will free your soul.

My pipes never tasted nor smoked so good as they have since I quit fussing