Here is the other Comoy’s “Grand Slam” that I have been working on. It is a #28 Billiard. I need to take it to the buffing wheel and make a new “Grand Slam” tube. I made this “Grand Slam” (MK2 style) replacement tube awhile back for another pipe. It is a little bit too long for this pipe.
@motie2 A “Grand Slam” is no ordinary “stinger”. Alas, I fear the benefit did not offset the cost. They also lent the pipes they were in to shank cracks if not cleaned religiously. As can be attested to by two of the last three I have acquired. The one that is not cracked, has had the tube removed.
Just finished a refurb on a Masterson. I should have taken a before pic but thought I'd show it anyway. The stem was terrible (yellows and grays), and took a lot of work. The stummel was a dull dark brown with bare briar showing through now and then. I changed it to black and oxblood, and there was so much cake build up I couldn't get my reamer started until I wrapped sandpaper around a dowel rod to make the opening bigger... Anyway, here's the after pics...
@KA9FFJ A couple of cool pipes there. What brand is the little billiard with the silver band? It looks like it may have a replacement stem? It looks like a neat little pipe from the picture. Looking forward to the “reveal” 🙂
@RockyMountainBriar That little guy has only one stamp on the stummel: in script it says "The Londoner". No other stamping, not even a number. Under a magnifying glass I was able to find "Sterling" stamped on the band... That's it. A rather noticeable crease on the bottom of the bowl along with a small pit fill. I'll see where that leads once I've given it a thorough cleaning...
Ok, here's the 1st pipe so far. It's a Dr Grabow Westbrook. The stem was a real pain. Oxidation was deeply embedded and took quite a bit of elbow grease. Got the grime off the stummel, took the bowl cake down to nothing, and allowed a deep clean with an alcohol bath. Staining, polishing and buffing will be next... Here's some before pics:
Next (#2) is a Kaywoodie "Drinkless" straight apple. As you can see, I've already started reaming the bowl. Some serious charring on the rim, and not sure yet what that place is between the edge of the bowl and shank. A good cleaning will hopefully answer that question...
Pipe #2 Couldn't get a cleaner through the stem. Had to break through with a stiff wire. Finally able to use regular cleaners. 3 or 4 more run throughs should do it... Meanwhile, stummel is in an alcohol bath... As you can see, I've also started the oxidation removal. ..
Ok. Managed to get almost all of the charring off the rim, but not all. I would have had to knock some of the rim down, and I was afraid it would affect the shape of the bowl. However, considering its initial appearance, I feel the final is more than acceptable. I kept the original stain after an alcohol bath and Murphy's oil soap for deep cleaning. The stem is now fine, but, IMHO, the stinger promotes clogging and consequently will need to be cleaned often. Anyway, here it is:
I that I am a smoker and not a collector, per se, and I've always considered the buildup on the bowl edge to be a sign of accomplishment, rather than a problem. I ream the bowls when the cake gets too much, and I use pipe cleaners and rum (both for pipe cleaning and spiritual development), but I never clean the rims. Just sayin.'
@motie2 Yes, there is something to be said for patina. I also think it can give a pipe some character. This particular pipe had serious charring. That is to say, not just tar and residue build up, but actual burning of the wood. That's why there's a little bit remaining. It was either that, or top the bowl (take away wood). So I left what little remained. But it polished and buffed up nicely...
Pipe 3 - stummel has been reamed, cleaned, had an alcohol bath, semi stripped and lightly sanded. Almost all charring has been removed Allowing it to dry while I start on the stem...
Comments
A “Grand Slam” is no ordinary “stinger”.
Alas, I fear the benefit did not offset the cost. They also lent the pipes they were in to shank cracks if not cleaned religiously. As can be attested to by two of the last three I have acquired. The one that is not cracked, has had the tube removed.
The stem was terrible (yellows and grays), and took a lot of work.
The stummel was a dull dark brown with bare briar showing through now and then. I changed it to black and oxblood, and there was so much cake build up I couldn't get my reamer started until I wrapped sandpaper around a dowel rod to make the opening bigger...
Anyway, here's the after pics...
That one cleaned up nicely! Great restoration.
I'll be starting this project tonight.
.
A couple of cool pipes there. What brand is the little billiard with the silver band? It looks like it may have a replacement stem? It looks like a neat little pipe from the picture. Looking forward to the “reveal” 🙂
Under a magnifying glass I was able to find "Sterling" stamped on the band... That's it.
A rather noticeable crease on the bottom of the bowl along with a small pit fill. I'll see where that leads once I've given it a thorough cleaning...
Got the grime off the stummel, took the bowl cake down to nothing, and allowed a deep clean with an alcohol bath.
Staining, polishing and buffing will be next...
Here's some before pics:
Staining, etc. is next...
This Grabow was also overclocked... it's good now...
Respect!
Couldn't get a cleaner through the stem. Had to break through with a stiff wire. Finally able to use regular cleaners. 3 or 4 more run throughs should do it...
Meanwhile, stummel is in an alcohol bath... As you can see, I've also started the oxidation removal. ..
However, considering its initial appearance, I feel the final is more than acceptable.
I kept the original stain after an alcohol bath and Murphy's oil soap for deep cleaning.
The stem is now fine, but, IMHO, the stinger promotes clogging and consequently will need to be cleaned often.
Anyway, here it is:
This particular pipe had serious charring. That is to say, not just tar and residue build up, but actual burning of the wood. That's why there's a little bit remaining. It was either that, or top the bowl (take away wood). So I left what little remained. But it polished and buffed up nicely...
I understand and totally agree.
Here's the severest case of charring I've ever seen:
😜
Allowing it to dry while I start on the stem...