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Post by william on Mar 4, 2018 9:12:54 GMT -5
It's a AAA "Freehand." Hardly a new pipe--it has been sitting in a box in a desk drawer for many years. When I decided to clean her up, it was primarily the stem that needed attention. I rubbed a layer of crud off using a magic sponge, then went to work with an old tube of Dunhill stem cleaner, followed that up with some newly acquired Denicare mouthpiece polish (which does not really "polish" much at all). I discovered that some strawberry Chapstick put on a nice shine and smelled good as well. Except for a small spot near by the lip, it cleaned up fairly well. I intend to work on that spot later today. Here are some pics:  And here she is reclining seductively on a couple of tins of G. L. Pease blends:  |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Mar 4, 2018 9:14:41 GMT -5
Nice Willmer! I would put that one to immediate use.
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Post by william on Mar 4, 2018 9:31:10 GMT -5
Thanks, Don. To be perfectly honest, it is far from my favorite as far as smoking goes. It is a bit "top heavy" and proportionally a bit strange, although the thick walls of the bowl make for a cool smoke. I have paid FAR less for pipes that smoked better. Live and learn. In short--something that is slightly exotic, beautiful, and costly does not always bring the greatest satisfaction. Sort of reminds me of my second ex-wife.  |
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Post by Legend Lover on Mar 4, 2018 9:31:44 GMT -5
That's beautiful. Good clean up. What did it look like originally?
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Post by rblood on Mar 4, 2018 9:34:01 GMT -5
Puzzles me as to why Willmer does not get more attention in the "community". Their handmades are right up there with some of the best English makers.
Beautiful example, enjoy!
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Post by william on Mar 4, 2018 9:36:40 GMT -5
It was bought new and smoked little. Spent several years of its life in a pipe rack on my desk, and then was put back into the original box and into a bottom desk drawer. So I think the only "damage" was the standard UV light discoloration--sort of a greenish/brownish layer. I watched several YouTube videos of guys soaking their stems in Oxyclean and did not want to do that. I was amazed at how well the magic eraser removed most of the crud, even though it took some time and considerable elbow grease. I have some more Willmers I cleaned up and will post some more pictures later.
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Post by trailboss on Mar 4, 2018 10:11:02 GMT -5
Nice looking pipe, but that is a big ding on the side!  Seriously, kind of cool how they can do that, it is neat how the grain looks. form the process. |
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Post by william on Mar 4, 2018 11:17:21 GMT -5
Ha. Yes--there are bilaterally symmetrical "dings" on the other side to match. I assume they did this to remove some flaw(s) and hated to toss the entire pipe so added a ding or two to the other side--and hence it is called a "freehand." At least that is my theory. Can't imagine another reason to carve these spots in an otherwise flawless piece. |
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Post by Legend Lover on Mar 4, 2018 11:21:16 GMT -5
Ha. Yes--there are bilaterally symmetrical "dings" on the other side to match. I assume they did this to remove some flaw(s) and hated to toss the entire pipe so added a ding or two to the other side--and hence it is called a "freehand." At least that is my theory. Can't imagine another reason to carve these spots in an otherwise flawless piece. maybe it's for better grip. |
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Post by william on Mar 4, 2018 11:27:29 GMT -5
Ha. Yes--there are bilaterally symmetrical "dings" on the other side to match. I assume they did this to remove some flaw(s) and hated to toss the entire pipe so added a ding or two to the other side--and hence it is called a "freehand." At least that is my theory. Can't imagine another reason to carve these spots in an otherwise flawless piece. maybe it's for better grip. Now that's funny. |
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Post by william on Mar 4, 2018 11:36:34 GMT -5
Here's a AA sans dings....... This one is one of my favorites to smoke......   |
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Post by Legend Lover on Mar 4, 2018 11:39:23 GMT -5
Nice pipe - and nice photos too.
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Post by william on Mar 4, 2018 11:48:51 GMT -5
Thanks.
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Post by cigrmaster on Mar 4, 2018 13:08:38 GMT -5
Great looking Willmers you have there.
I have somewhere around 15 Willmer AAA Straight Grains and some of them have those dimples. They were put their to make holding the pipe easier is what I was told. I have found my Willmers use some of the best wood I have ever smoked. No matter what your smoking cadence it is hard to heat one up, they smoke that cool. The stems on some are better than others and some need tweaking to open them up.
I bought out a guys collection on ebay a couple of years ago and got mine for a very reasonable number.
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Post by william on Mar 5, 2018 7:39:10 GMT -5
Great looking Willmers you have there. I have somewhere around 15 Willmer AAA Straight Grains and some of them have those dimples. They were put their to make holding the pipe easier is what I was told. I have found my Willmers use some of the best wood I have ever smoked. No matter what your smoking cadence it is hard to heat one up, they smoke that cool. The stems on some are better than others and some need tweaking to open them up. I bought out a guys collection on ebay a couple of years ago and got mine for a very reasonable number. If you get a chance to post some pics, I would love to see some of your Willmer's. |
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Post by cigrmaster on Mar 5, 2018 14:02:20 GMT -5
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Beardedpipesmoker
Junior Member
Posts: 359 
Favorite Pipe: New England Pipe Works Freehand
Favorite Tobacco: I'm not picky
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Post by Beardedpipesmoker on Mar 5, 2018 14:25:42 GMT -5
Nice looking pipe. Always good to hear about somebody making an old piece shine again.
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Post by william on Mar 5, 2018 18:18:14 GMT -5
Nice pipes cigrmaster!!! I think the appeal for Willmers to me is their "heft." Like your bulldog. Traditional in every way, but the bowl looks a bit heavier. And the dublin right below it--seems to have a bit more wood near the top of the bowl. Thanks for taking the time to post the pics. I enjoyed looking at them. (And I'm sure others will as well).
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Post by cigrmaster on Mar 5, 2018 19:15:50 GMT -5
My pleasure William, glad you enjoyed the pics. Every time I smoke one of my Willmers I am amazed at how cool they smoke. Most of mine are on the large size so I normally smoke my aromatics in them. I have found a few of the smaller ones smoke my flakes very well.
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