Old pipes...

[Clint]

So I have been enjoying cigars for more years than I care to say, and have always been intrigued by pipes.

Something about the nostalgia, the different pipe styles and designs, and of course the aromatic qualities are all very interesting to me, so I am thinking of giving it a shot!

My uncle was a pipe smoker, and left me several pipes when he passed away years ago. (I know one is a Ben Wade, but no clue on the others)

Anyhoo, I feebly started down this road a few years back, and vaguely remember getting the pies cleaned up, or "re-conditioned" (?) Not sure if that is the correct term. Should I get them cleaned again before considering using them?

Also, if memory serves, I remember getting the same taste from two of the pipes even though using two polar opposite blends...thought that was odd and wondered if this was due to them NOT being cleaned properly, and some residue or taste remained? (which might explain the same taste over two blends in two separate pipes...)

Thanks for any thoughts/suggestions!

 

[skullnbones]

I would just start by giving the pipes a good basic cleaning. I use Captain Morgan to clean all my pipes. Just get some soft pipe cleaners and dip them in whatever alcohol you want and start running them through the pipes until they start coming out clean. After a good cleaning, I'd probably try smoking out of it again, if you still have ghosts of old tobacco you may need to get the bowl reamed at a pipe shop.

If the outside is really dull you can get cans of aerosol wax to spray on a cloth and polish the pipe. Or have a shop polish it on a wheel.

As for the bowl, you probably have a good layer of cake on the inside of the bowl. You want it to be somewhere between the thickness of a dime and a nickle. Anything more than that and you risk cracking the briar due to the different expansion rates. The cake will also effect the way the tobacco tastes. If your uncle smoked heavy English blends and you're trying to smoke a VA, it's still going to taste a lot like an English.

Hope that helped a little

https://smokingpipes.com/information/howto/cleaning.cfm

 

[Agentskull]

First off if your going down the pipe. Some of the brothers are running a newbie pipe thread. Really recommend it.

Also please don't discount a good cob pipe. Cheap. Durable. A good work horse.

Now grrr had a good thread about restoring estate pipes. It would be worth while checking out.

I am sorry on my phone really hard to get you links.

 

[CATom]

http://www.briarville.com/

This place restores pipes for reasonable prices. I've never personally used him, but have heard good things.

 

[skullnbones]

Here's Grrrrrr's thread.

http://www.botl.org/community/forum...Restorations-maybe?highlight=pipe+restoration

 

[Agentskull]

Thanks Geoff!

 

[Clint]

Thanks for the link...Lots of good info there!

Maybe what I'll do is go back to the shop that cleaned them, and ask what was done, and what else may need to be done. The shop was referred by a few Brothers who live in the area, so I feel good that they are legit.

This way I'll have a good starting point, and then I'll re-visit Grrrr's thread and get them prepped myself

So is the 'Magic Inch' product a gimmick, or is it as good and helpful as the advertising would appear?

 

[Cigary43]

I would just start by giving the pipes a good basic cleaning. I use Captain Morgan to clean all my pipes. Just get some soft pipe cleaners and dip them in whatever alcohol you want and start running them through the pipes until they start coming out clean. After a good cleaning, I'd probably try smoking out of it again, if you still have ghosts of old tobacco you may need to get the bowl reamed at a pipe shop.

If the outside is really dull you can get cans of aerosol wax to spray on a cloth and polish the pipe. Or have a shop polish it on a wheel.

As for the bowl, you probably have a good layer of cake on the inside of the bowl. You want it to be somewhere between the thickness of a dime and a nickle. Anything more than that and you risk cracking the briar due to the different expansion rates. The cake will also effect the way the tobacco tastes. If your uncle smoked heavy English blends and you're trying to smoke a VA, it's still going to taste a lot like an English.

Hope that helped a little

https://smokingpipes.com/information/howto/cleaning.cfm

Have not heard of using Captain Morgan...alcohol yes...Captain Morgan...no. Does it give off any taste afterwards or does it just dissipate?

 

[skullnbones]

I would just start by giving the pipes a good basic cleaning. I use Captain Morgan to clean all my pipes. Just get some soft pipe cleaners and dip them in whatever alcohol you want and start running them through the pipes until they start coming out clean. After a good cleaning, I'd probably try smoking out of it again, if you still have ghosts of old tobacco you may need to get the bowl reamed at a pipe shop.

If the outside is really dull you can get cans of aerosol wax to spray on a cloth and polish the pipe. Or have a shop polish it on a wheel.

As for the bowl, you probably have a good layer of cake on the inside of the bowl. You want it to be somewhere between the thickness of a dime and a nickle. Anything more than that and you risk cracking the briar due to the different expansion rates. The cake will also effect the way the tobacco tastes. If your uncle smoked heavy English blends and you're trying to smoke a VA, it's still going to taste a lot like an English.

Hope that helped a little

https://smokingpipes.com/information/howto/cleaning.cfm

Have not heard of using Captain Morgan...alcohol yes...Captain Morgan...no. Does it give off any taste afterwards or does it just dissipate?

When I was smoking a pipe on a daily basis I'd pick up little hints of it here and there. Now that I only smoke them maybe once or twice a month I don't notice it at all. I just started using it because I hated the taste of the pipe sweetener and I always seem to have rum around my house

 

[Cigary43]

I would just start by giving the pipes a good basic cleaning. I use Captain Morgan to clean all my pipes. Just get some soft pipe cleaners and dip them in whatever alcohol you want and start running them through the pipes until they start coming out clean. After a good cleaning, I'd probably try smoking out of it again, if you still have ghosts of old tobacco you may need to get the bowl reamed at a pipe shop.

If the outside is really dull you can get cans of aerosol wax to spray on a cloth and polish the pipe. Or have a shop polish it on a wheel.

As for the bowl, you probably have a good layer of cake on the inside of the bowl. You want it to be somewhere between the thickness of a dime and a nickle. Anything more than that and you risk cracking the briar due to the different expansion rates. The cake will also effect the way the tobacco tastes. If your uncle smoked heavy English blends and you're trying to smoke a VA, it's still going to taste a lot like an English.

Hope that helped a little

https://smokingpipes.com/information/howto/cleaning.cfm

Have not heard of using Captain Morgan...alcohol yes...Captain Morgan...no. Does it give off any taste afterwards or does it just dissipate?

When I was smoking a pipe on a daily basis I'd pick up little hints of it here and there. Now that I only smoke them maybe once or twice a month I don't notice it at all. I just started using it because I hated the taste of the pipe sweetener and I always seem to have rum around my house

I like the idea...I like it alot. I might even try some of my favorite beverage...Drambuie and see how that goes. lol

 

[cgraunke]

http://www.briarville.com/

This place restores pipes for reasonable prices. I've never personally used him, but have heard good things.

briarville.com is the restoration shop at Joe Case pipes. I keep seeing more about this pipe maker the more I research the hobby. Apparently quite the rising star in the pipe world. All custom orders, booked 6+ months out. Apparently he must be doing something right!

 

[joecase]

briarville.com is the restoration shop at Joe Case pipes. I keep seeing more about this pipe maker the more I research the hobby. Apparently quite the rising star in the pipe world. All custom orders, booked 6+ months out. Apparently he must be doing something right!

Thank you sir!! I've worked my butt off to reduce the wait time. Just honored so many want my pipes!!