@Ray98362 I had the same problem with an estate Canadian style pipe. Couldn't get a pipe cleaner through it and, though I could get some draw through it, I knew the opening should be better than it was. I finally used a drill bit by hand and slowly worked it in and out for about 20 minutes. You would not believe the "petrified" tars, gunk and small pieces of tobacco that had hardened and fused in the shank. The pipe must have never been cleaned and he smoked it until he couldn't get a decent draw.
Anyway, I'm not recommending you try that since only you know the precise details of your problem. But it worked for me.
Side note: The crud was so hardened that at first I thought I was taking (drilling) part of the actual shank...
@motie2 A college buddy from Chicago introduced me to a delicious dark rum called Stroh Rum. I've only ever bought it there, but I would guess you could find it near you. It is ridiculously smooth and buttery. Any lover of dark rum should find any excuse (pipe related or otherwise) to tap into this stuff!
@Rusty69 -- Yes, that's a good one for a dark rum. My tastes have leaned towards spiced rums. My favorites have been Cruzan 9, Sailor Jerry, and now, Jonah's Curse Black Spiced Rum. Interestingly, it's the highest proof of the three, but without that alcohol burn. I love it, straight, mixed with Diet Coke, Trader Joe's Green Juice, or Sir Bananas (milk/banana beverage). I also applied some evenly to pipe tobacco blends, until I found Barbados Plantation. Adding rum to that blend would be coals to Newcastle,
Actually Irun a dry stem through after the first cleaning.I agree about Listerine at least the original.Their are so many different types of Listerine now their not really that bad.Scope mouthwash isn't bad.My theory is,Most of the pipe cleaning substances are all alcohol based anyway. Of course I'm leaving open the possibility I'm totally wrong about my big theory.
OK, another question: is $42.95 a lot/too much to pay for a really nice looking Missouri Meerschaum Wizard Cobbit Bent Stem Corncob Pipe? It seems an awful lot to me, but I know almost nothing about the market......
Buy direct from Missouri Meerschaum. They are less expensive then buying from someone else. I have two cobbits - the dwarf and the Shire. I still smoke the dwarf but manage to break the stem on the shire and haven't replaced it yet.
As far as the alcohol, I'd stay away from isopropyl, everything I read has it doing pretty much the same stuff as ethanol alcohol but I'd only use something safe for human consumption.
I know we had this topic somewhere before, maybe even in here BUT who uses Isopropyl Alcohol if they don't have any 190 or other drinking alcohol? I know they use it in cleaners you buy from stores,
what is the difference between a used, new (which I know) and a estate pipe. what is a estate pipe? are they better? I assume they are used? I see a lot of talk about estate pipes....@motie2 has talked about buying them on ebay. can you explain more in detail?
just for example I saw this on eBay is it good or bad...what am I looking for when I do look for pipes?
Estate is just a high faluting way of saying used. If you buy from a reputable on-line retailer, the are cleaned and ready to smoke. Most of them come from pipe collectors thining their collection. If you buy from antique/collectibles shops they need cleaning because the were probably bought from estate sales.
I prefer the term rescued pipes pipes for the ones I find worth buying.
All I know about alcohol is that the chemist where I once worked would declare: "There are 900 different alcohol molecules, but only one of them WON'T kill a person."
@Pipefreak2383 I am by no means an expert on estate pipes, but that Wellington looks like a pretty good deal. I have a Wellington that I’ve enjoyed for many years and I can say that it’s an excellent smoker. The one you’re looking at has to be close to 50 years-old and, if we can judge from the photos, looks to be in good condition.
I like what @PappyJoe said. I also use the term, "bring back to life" when I "rescue" a pipe. I get a feeling I can't explain when I take a pipe that most people would throw or give away, and turn it back into a useful an good-looking member of the pipe world once again...
Comments
@Ray98362 I had the same problem with an estate Canadian style pipe. Couldn't get a pipe cleaner through it and, though I could get some draw through it, I knew the opening should be better than it was. I finally used a drill bit by hand and slowly worked it in and out for about 20 minutes. You would not believe the "petrified" tars, gunk and small pieces of tobacco that had hardened and fused in the shank. The pipe must have never been cleaned and he smoked it until he couldn't get a decent draw.
Anyway, I'm not recommending you try that since only you know the precise details of your problem. But it worked for me.
Side note: The crud was so hardened that at first I thought I was taking (drilling) part of the actual shank...
@PappyJoe ? Anyone ?
Caveat emptor, friends.
I have two cobbits - the dwarf and the Shire. I still smoke the dwarf but manage to break the stem on the shire and haven't replaced it yet.
@PappyJoe -- Both Dwarf and Shire are nice, but I'm kind of intrigued by the Wizard Cobbit.
Pipe Cleaning
Cleaning Pipes, burning in new pipes and basic pipe care (storage)
what is the difference between a used, new (which I know) and a estate pipe. what is a estate pipe? are they better? I assume they are used? I see a lot of talk about estate pipes....@motie2 has talked about buying them on ebay. can you explain more in detail?
just for example I saw this on eBay is it good or bad...what am I looking for when I do look for pipes?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-WDC-Wellington-Tobacco-Smoking-Pipe/302590857928?hash=item4673d212c8:g:dt0AAOSwnsRaTuVc
I prefer the term rescued pipes pipes for the ones I find worth buying.
Is it hard to turn a old pipe back to life? is it hard to restore them?
the one I posted I like it lot but the instead doesn't look like it been cleaned out since it was bought LOL
I am very handy an can do a lot but I never did anything of this nature before which is why I am asking if it is hard to do thank u