I have had this mug for a few months now and have been trying to develop a satisfactory relationship with it. Love the the style and concept, but the the band around the middle of the mug is far too narrow to accommodate comfortably holding in your hand. I have fairly small hands and I have to position my thumb and forefinger very carefully on the black band while making sure to hold all my other fingers well away in order to avoid being burned. This is hardly conducive to the serene experience one is constantly being invited to surrender to while sipping tea by the marketers of Samovar. Very disappointed.
Wanted to love it 
