Thread: Pipe Questions

I have somequestions for the pipe smokers out there.
I had a little time on my hands today, so I wandered through an antique storenear me. There were some interesting looking pipes there. I own 1 humble Parkerthat gets smoked a few times a year.

1) What do I need to know/ look for when buying a used pipe?
2) How do I clean/ sanitize a used pipe?
3) How do I know if it is a Meerschaum vs. some other white colored material? Idon't look at the price tag for that in an antique store. A low price may justmean they don't know what they have.

Any help is welcome.

Thanks.
Scott

Originally Posted by milehiscott

I have somequestions for the pipe smokers out there.
I had a little time on my hands today, so I wandered through an antique storenear me. There were some interesting looking pipes there. I own 1 humble Parkerthat gets smoked a few times a year.

1) What do I need to know/ look for when buying a used pipe?
2) How do I clean/ sanitize a used pipe?
3) How do I know if it is a
vs. some other white colored material? Idon't look at the price tag for that in an antique store. A low price may justmean they don't know what they have.

Any help is welcome.

Thanks.
Scott

I'm fairly versed as a pipe maker. When buying a used pipe look for flaws , putty fills etc. it's best to avoid high gloss pipes as a good pipe should only be a wax finish of pure carnauba wax. Look for discolorations on the sides such as dark spots. They could be a sign that the pipe was very hot and burn through started to occur. Leather covered pipes in particular I stay away from as more than likely inferior briar was used and leather employed to hide the flaws. Stick with top makers, Dunhill, Savinelli, Peterson, etc.
You can clean the bowl with grain alcohol and a pipe cleaner. Do NOT get it on the stem. Or you can get readily available pipe cleaner fresher from your local tobacconist.

Meerschaum you can tell if it's real by if it has started to yellow (caused by the whale oil dip when manufactured) and going to dark brown Meerschaum will absorb the juices and it will color naturally. Reconstituted meerschaum which is meerschaum dust compressed into a block is also ok but will not color to the degree of natural meerschaum . Hope this helps a bit.

Hi Scott,
I can help you with some of your questions.
When buying a used pipe in a non-pipe store, you need to makes some general observations:
The Bowl:
Are there any nicks on the outset part of bowl?
Look into the bowl - does it appear symmetrical? Sometimes people over ream the bowl, cutting into the wood when doing so. This is not good at all.
Repairs:
Generally speaking repairs are ok, if done correctly but does diminish the price of the pipe. Repairs usually are made on the shank, sometime the bottom of the bowl, along the rim. The color of the repair is usually different than the rest of the pipe. As I understand it, this type of repair uses a putty, colored to meet the type, sanded and glossed. You do need to look close.
Cleaning:
The outer part of the stem could be cleaned with Stem Cleaner. This is a sort of wax that has some grit to it. Rub it on the stem, rub and buff. The inner part of the stem and pipe- simple pipe cleaner.
The Bowl should be cleaned professionally.
As far as Meerschaum is concerned, I cannot offer any information.
I urge you to take a look at the following site: smokingpipes.com. Great information, and premium customer service. If you need work done you your pipe, these are the people to call. Take a look at the "Estate Pipes" section and read some of the descriptions. These are used pipes and prices according to issues pertaining to the pipe such as repairs, poor teeming, cracks and alike. You can learn so issues pertaining to used pipes based on the write up.

Hope this is helpful,

Andy

Thanks for the quick replies and useful information. I'll check out the pipe site.

Originally Posted by Tsunami

You can clean the bowl with grain alcohol and a pipe cleaner. Do NOT get it on the stem. Or you can get readily available pipe cleaner fresher from your local tobacconist.

Meerschaum you can tell if it's real by if it has started to yellow (caused by the whale oil dip when manufactured)

Is it ok to use Isopropyl alcohol on the stem? I'm mostly thinking about it having been in the mouth of someone I don't know (eeww).
The ones that MAY be Meerschaum appear to have never been smoked. They are VERY white and have no teeth marks on the stems. Should they still have yellowing?

Hi Guys

Was wondering if ou could help one out.

I'm looking at the two tops on this site, the kit and the corn cob, I was wondering if anyone could give some advice on whether they are worth a purchase as a first pipe?

Geek

Originally Posted by TheGeek

Hi Guys

Was wondering if ou could help one out.

I'm looking at the two tops on this site, the kit and the corn cob, I was wondering if anyone could give some advice on whether they are worth a purchase as a first pipe?

Geek

My knowledge of pipes is pale compared to many on here but I'd say a corn cob pipe will be a great first choice. They don't need breaking in and are cheap compared to briar and meerschaum...

I am looking at buying a used pipe that appears to be little used if any. The stem is bright and shiny with no teeth marks or discolouration. I was wondering if all I needed to do to sanitize the stem would be a good cleaning with rubbing alcohol inside and out or do I have to use household bleach to sanitize it?

Bob

The best way to clean it if barely used is to use an alcohol like vodka or whiskey. Whatever you do don't use bleach!

If the stem is really grungy and green I've stuck it in bleach for 45 minutes and then took it out and rinsed it throughly. If it is vulcanite it will have beaded feel to it but it will be close to black. 1k grit sandpaper can help clean it up. Then buff it if you want. Also polish like Mothers or some such with paper towels but it is a lot of work to get it back to a black mirror finish. Some say that bleach is the 'nuclear option' and can eventually ruin the stem. The residual effect I mean. I haven't experienced that with pipe stems that I've done it with but that hasn't been too many.

If the stem is black and shiny alcohol will stain it and ruin the shiny finish on the outside unless it is lucite. I just take a dab of alcohol on a pipe cleaner and run them through until it comes out clean, being careful not to get any on the outside finish. I've bought many used pipes over the past 20 years and still alive to tell the tale.

I have no experience with pipes and am reading this with an interest in things I don't know about. I have not read the MSDS for Mothers or other polishes but my gut reaction is that I would rather suck on a used pipe than with one polished with Mothers.