Well, with all this heat I'm trying to find stuff to do inside whenever possible. I took a pipe I reworked and made it my "Christmas " pipe ( red stem, greem stummel). As I've said before, when you stain a pipe ANY color (red, blue, green, etc.), the color will begin to fade rapidly on the rim upon use, especially the area closet to the stem. Such was the case on my Christmas pipe. I'm guessing by using a sealer like shellac or varnish it might prevent or slow down that process but I'll never personally find out because of my dislike for shellac or varnish. So I simply stripped the remaining stain on the rim, gave it a very light stain, waxing and buff and here it is now:
@KA9FFJ I've had a pipe or two that had a shellac finish. They always looked great but I was always concerned about the shellac holding the heat in and making the bowl hotter to touch.
@PappyJoe That is a concern of many concerning shellac/varnish use. Although that goes with the premise that the briar truly breathes. That's a debatable topic that I really have no opinion one way or another. As you know, I deal with a lot of older pipes and it's rare when I find one, that has been coated, without showing signs of yellowing and/or spider webbing from the coating drying out over time. I know I'm biased because of all the extra work these pipes cost me (stripping, resanding, restaining, etc.), but IMHO, shellacing/vanishing?... no thanks...
Well it's just too hot! 🥵 Decided to mess with a repaired MM cob and hopefully improve its looks.?.? This is an Emerald that developed a small crack at the bottom after 4 or 5 times of normal use. I sent a pic to MM and they determined the plug was slightly too big and sent me another stummel. I took the original green stem and, after making a small adjustment, achieved a good tight fit on the new stummel. Here's the new stummel with the old stem:
That left me with the cracked original stummel. I repaired the crack, turned a stem to fit and, for the fun of it, stained it a bright green... I didn't like it, but never did anything about it. So I gave the pipe another look and decided black would go better with the new stem I made. After stripping, light sanding and restaining, here's the " new" pipe...
Two questions. First is this rim asymmetry worth fixing? Appears to be no crack but is it worth sanding down flat. Aesthetically might be worth it. Also I’ve reamed this bowl down to fairly little remaining cake . Is there a good argument for taking it down to wood? I plan to alcohol treat it. Pictures of rim attached.
@Whoispra I have some older pipes with uneven rims. I like to leave them. Gives the pipe some character. I did have a nording bulldog that was burn to a crisp around the rim. I did sand that down. It's really just personal preference would be my take.
@Zouave1864 I figured that was ultimately the case. I’m also very new at refinishing in any capacity so that also plays into it. If I did sand it down, how to seal the fresh Briar that would be exposed? Carnuba wax?
@Whoispra The rim: If it really bothers you, fix it. If it's no big deal, concentrate on the rest of the pipe. Like @Zouave1864 said... Personal preference. And please show us the final. We'd love to see it...
@Whoispra Without a straight on flank shot, it’s hard to tell, but it looks like there would still be enough bowl if you topped it square. However, you could top it at an angle front to back and bend the stem down slightly, it might take on a Zulu shape? Personally, I ream all my refurbs back to briar….or char. Unless it is some collector/expensive/sentimental pipe….but what good is a pipe that you are worried about burning out? If there is char, I remove it and fill the divot/void with pipe mud if the wall is too thin. I don’t know if you have ever used charcloth for starting fires? Charcoal lights quicker than the wood, well maybe not “fatwood”.
Comments
The last of the 10 stummels, again so graciously given to me by a fellow TPL member and friend.
Here's the final:
A few very small flaws, but I agree.
I guess I saved the best for last...🙂
2-tone staining...
Another WOW!
I took a pipe I reworked and made it my "Christmas " pipe ( red stem, greem stummel).
As I've said before, when you stain a pipe ANY color (red, blue, green, etc.), the color will begin to fade rapidly on the rim upon use, especially the area closet to the stem.
Such was the case on my Christmas pipe. I'm guessing by using a sealer like shellac or varnish it might prevent or slow down that process but I'll never personally find out because of my dislike for shellac or varnish.
So I simply stripped the remaining stain on the rim, gave it a very light stain, waxing and buff and here it is now:
I've had a pipe or two that had a shellac finish. They always looked great but I was always concerned about the shellac holding the heat in and making the bowl hotter to touch.
That is a concern of many concerning shellac/varnish use. Although that goes with the premise that the briar truly breathes. That's a debatable topic that I really have no opinion one way or another.
As you know, I deal with a lot of older pipes and it's rare when I find one, that has been coated, without showing signs of yellowing and/or spider webbing from the coating drying out over time.
I know I'm biased because of all the extra work these pipes cost me (stripping, resanding, restaining, etc.), but IMHO, shellacing/vanishing?... no thanks...
Decided to mess with a repaired MM cob and hopefully improve its looks.?.?
This is an Emerald that developed a small crack at the bottom after 4 or 5 times of normal use. I sent a pic to MM and they determined the plug was slightly too big and sent me another stummel.
I took the original green stem and, after making a small adjustment, achieved a good tight fit on the new stummel.
Here's the new stummel with the old stem:
So I gave the pipe another look and decided black would go better with the new stem I made.
After stripping, light sanding and restaining, here's the " new" pipe...
I'm not sure when I can get to it, but it will be my next project...
I think after Savinelli Dr. Grabow is my favorite brand of pipe. I'm glad to see you are bringing this old warrior back to life.
Yep.
The rim: If it really bothers you, fix it. If it's no big deal, concentrate on the rest of the pipe.
Like @Zouave1864 said...
Personal preference.
And please show us the final. We'd love to see it...
Without a straight on flank shot, it’s hard to tell, but it looks like there would still be enough bowl if you topped it square. However, you could top it at an angle front to back and bend the stem down slightly, it might take on a Zulu shape?
Personally, I ream all my refurbs back to briar….or char. Unless it is some collector/expensive/sentimental pipe….but what good is a pipe that you are worried about burning out? If there is char, I remove it and fill the divot/void with pipe mud if the wall is too thin. I don’t know if you have ever used charcloth for starting fires? Charcoal lights quicker than the wood, well maybe not “fatwood”.
Another wonderful restoration!