Try "preheating" it the way Tink does with shocky glass--the "pure propane", reduction flame, let it get coated with soot, then clean it off with a nice & blast away method then...I've used that & had great results with other shocky glasses ever since I've been going down to Rockland--I think it's one of the BEST tips Tink ever shared here--useful for every/any type of soft glass, anyone from the first time they use a oxy/propane torch can use that tip, I'm so glad she shared it!
As far as abuse--the glass is quite abuse worthy once you get it on the mandrel! It's stood up to everything I've thrown at it & I'm not real nice to my glass....'cause I'm still nowhere *near* practiced with what I'm doin'
