I then gave it a thorough cleaning using Murphy's wood soap and a toothbrush. I made sure to cover the rim to protect the meerschaum from the cleaner and water...
The staining of the stummel was blotchy and uneven, so I took an artist brush and Fiebing's buckskin and lightly went over the entire pipe. It was a very close match...
I then went to work on the oxidation of the stem. As predicted, my very first pass all but removed the stem stamp. I'm not happy about that, but I've learned to accept the inevitable. The grooves of the rustication are so deep, I decided to use my dremel on the lowest speed to wax and buff. Here's the final, and another one for the pipe show... And here's my question. How can a "new" unsmoked pipe come out of the factory with an almost negligible stamp...🤔
I started with the Kaywoodie white briar because it had only been lightly used and would require minimal work. Started with thorough inside cleaning. After 7 bristle and 3 soft pipe cleaners, I was satisfied...
Decided to tackle the Custombilt. I don't think the pipe had ever been cleaned. Had to put it in the freezer just to get the stem to come loose (it was so gunked up) Here's the starting point pics...
Had to literally drill out the draw hole in the shank, and after about 12 bristles, finally got the internal stummel clear ( including reaming the bowl)...
Worked on the rim and was able to carefully remove the charring. Now it's time to stain... I used an artist brush to apply the black where appropriate..
Managed to get another one ready for the show. This is a Frank Medico V.F.Q. bent. Had some issues, as most do, but much of the process was similar to the previous pipe: freezer, drill out shank, ream, clean... you get the idea. Long story short, here's before...
Ok, so I acquired a noname meerschaum at my last estate sale. A plain-Jane pipe but looked to be in decent shape. They wanted $20 initially, but knocked it down to $10. I showed them the reason no one was buying it: heavy charring, the stem was over clocked, the bowl was blotchy and, most importantly, there was about a 1" hairline crack. I offered her $5... she took it...
The first thing I did was carefully sand the inside of the bowl just enough to see if the crack went all the way through... it didn't! That was a good thing. I then reclocked the stem so it fit properly. Since it was an ugly pipe, botching, crack and all, I decided to try some design work on the stummel. After all, I only have $5 bucks in it. I lightly penciled a design on the bowl that would mask the crack.
Comments
The grooves of the rustication are so deep, I decided to use my dremel on the lowest speed to wax and buff.
Here's the final, and another one for the pipe show...
And here's my question. How can a "new" unsmoked pipe come out of the factory with an almost negligible stamp...🤔
You are the master!!
Great job as usual!
You question "How can a "new" unsmoked pipe come out of the factory with an almost negligible stamp." contains the answer "factory."
Started with thorough inside cleaning. After 7 bristle and 3 soft pipe cleaners, I was satisfied...
Before:
Before:
I'll probably micro pad that area to smooth it out a little more...
That has to be a record number of awesomes for me or rather you or from me to you.
Here's the starting point pics...
🤢🤮
Here's the final, and another pipe for the show...
WOW. You are amazing. I'm sure these pictures don't do it justice. Thanks for sharing.
Much appreciated...
This is a Frank Medico V.F.Q. bent.
Had some issues, as most do, but much of the process was similar to the previous pipe: freezer, drill out shank, ream, clean... you get the idea. Long story short, here's before...
They wanted $20 initially, but knocked it down to $10. I showed them the reason no one was buying it: heavy charring, the stem was over clocked, the bowl was blotchy and, most importantly, there was about a 1" hairline crack.
I offered her $5... she took it...
I then reclocked the stem so it fit properly.
Since it was an ugly pipe, botching, crack and all, I decided to try some design work on the stummel. After all, I only have $5 bucks in it.
I lightly penciled a design on the bowl that would mask the crack.