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Post by jeffd on Jun 24, 2018 15:41:14 GMT -5
I have been of two minds about this. In growing up my dad never displayed his pipes. He only had a few, and he just left them around where ever, and would not ever remember where, and just ask me or my brothers to find him a pipe. His brother, my uncle, who is still alive, keeps his more numerous pipe collection in a drawer of his roll top desk.
They both use a pipe stand, just for putting a still hot pipe down when two hands were needed for something.
From what I have seen on the web a lot of people display their collections. And I suspect this is not a new thing, just i hadn't been aware of it growing up.
The first pipes I smoked I displayed in a wall hanging pipe rack. Dummy me they all got direct sunshine every morning and the stems all oxidized.
So now, in my second wave of pipe enthusiasm I am again contemplating some kind of display. Some questions:
Is it just direct sunlight to avoid, or all ambient sun light?
There is a debate about bowl up or bowl down. If one is religious about cleaning a pipe after every smoke, does it matter which way up?
And there are aesthetic questions? Do y'all display all your pipes, or only the ones you frequently smoke, or only the ones most interesting to look at? Or only the ones that can be out in the light. Is your collection behind glass doors? And if not, don't they get dusty?
I saw a picture of a peg board pipe display, which actually seemed to me a great idea, with that kind of modest utilitarian vibe. But some of the nice pipe racks are really impressive in themselves. Decisions decisions.
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driftingfate
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Post by driftingfate on Jun 24, 2018 16:29:07 GMT -5
I don't currently display my pipes, but keep them in a pair of cabinets. Bowls down for me, just to be on the safe side.
One advantage about displaying them is that they would be more organized than they are now. I plan on doing some cleaning and having more organized cabinets but will still probably not display them - dust and visual clutter being two reasons why. More significantly, I don't have a good place for the few, large pipe racks I need outside of the cabinets I've appropriated from he wife.
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Post by Legend Lover on Jun 24, 2018 16:49:07 GMT -5
I've no advice to give here, but I'd love to see photos when you're done.
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Post by haebar on Jun 24, 2018 17:29:22 GMT -5
The rack I store my pipes (in rotation) on also doubles as a display. It is a wall rack that holds 36 pipes that are stored with the bowl up, stem down. Yes, they do get dusty. 
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Post by dave g on Jun 24, 2018 17:49:48 GMT -5
I used to have my pipes out on display. They will still oxidize with indirect light. I’ve switch over to storing them in drawers after and overnight airing out period when smoked. I admit, it’s much nicer to see them on display, but storing them in drawers preserves them indefinitely. 
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Post by Deleted on Jun 24, 2018 18:14:58 GMT -5
Most of my pipes are in racks and/or revolving humidors. I’ve posted pictures prior and will again when I have access to my server once I get back home.
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Post by trailboss on Jun 24, 2018 18:20:36 GMT -5
Brian Levine appropriated an old cabinet with glass doors and he is hving the glass replaced with glass that has a UV filter, and I believe that he is going to have it lighted with Non UV lighting...LED? It is a work in progress, I believe, and sounds like the way to go.
Mine are scattered about in pipe racks on the Buffet cabinet that is part of the cellar, drawers, and a pipe stand/ashtray stand next to the chair in my office...an inordinant amout are on my tray waiting to be cleaned or grabbed. I need to have a more organized system for home pipes and on the go pipes. With the exception of the drawer, all are out in the open getting indirect light, but obsidian oil definitely helps when I clean them and they sit longer than they should.
Dave G does a good work on keeping the herd protected from the sun.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 24, 2018 18:46:27 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Jun 24, 2018 18:50:11 GMT -5
Two of many simple pipe racks I made years ago....  
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Post by Deleted on Jun 24, 2018 18:55:37 GMT -5
Pipe shelf system before I moved to NC. I know, I have a PAD illness.....lol. Many I have either sold or gifted. Now have around 250 Pipes. Don’t forget it took me 50 years to accumulate my collection. 
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Post by Deleted on Jun 24, 2018 19:01:22 GMT -5
Part of my bedroom now. In the lower picture is another pipe rack humidor I did a complete restoration on about 2 years ago.
 
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Post by roadsdiverged on Jun 24, 2018 19:30:59 GMT -5
Holy SMOKES what a collection. I was going to post a picture of my accumulation of just a few months, but I spent too much time in the heat today and I just dont feel up to it right now. I'll do it tomorrow for sure.
Cant wait to see some more.
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Post by jeffd on Jun 24, 2018 19:38:43 GMT -5
Pipe shelf system before I moved to NC. I know, I have a PAD illness.....lol. Many I have either sold or gifted. Now have around 250 Pipes. Don’t forget it took me 50 years to accumulate my collection.  Oh my. I am such a piker! That is wonderful actually!
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Post by Ronv69 on Jun 24, 2018 19:45:37 GMT -5
I have about 180 pipes total. I acquired the first 120 in about a year. I have approximately 125 of the best on display. I have two glass display cabinets from Ikea with assorted stands in them. I have a rotating 18 pipe stand by my recliner, a 20 pipe wall hung cabinet, a couple of free-standing racks scattered around the room, and a churchwarden wall rack I haven't had a chance to put up yet.
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Post by jeffd on Jun 24, 2018 21:29:47 GMT -5
I have about 180 pipes total. I acquired the first 120 in about a year. That is pretty amazing. That's acquiring a pipe every 72 hours! Wow, I feel downright inadequate. I bet that room looks pretty amazing.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 24, 2018 21:35:04 GMT -5
Also I must admit, my grandfather had an affiliation with a well known pipe manufacturer during the 20’s, 30’s, 40’s & 50’s. Many of my pipes I acquired from my grandfather and a few of his friends. How I miss the 60’s 👍👍👍
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Post by trailboss on Jun 24, 2018 21:37:13 GMT -5
That's called Ronvitis...the victim refuses to seek a cure.
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Post by Legend Lover on Jun 25, 2018 5:17:07 GMT -5
OK, first of all...varnishing on a light-coloured carpet!! You're brave. I could never get away without getting some somewhere. Kudos to you. Secondly -  Holy smokes (literally)!!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 25, 2018 6:24:56 GMT -5
Legend Lover, I had a finished basement and half was set up as a smoking lounge. My own space, which every man needs from time to time.....space. Appreciate the comments 👍👍👍
PS THE CARPET IN THIS AREA WAS MUCH DARKER.
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Post by jeffd on Jun 25, 2018 7:54:54 GMT -5
I was thinking of displaying my pipes in the main hallway, where there is never any direct sunlight. So that takes care of the stem oxidation issue. (Correct me if I am wrong).
It would have the effect of increasing my smoking, because I have to go through that hall to get anywhere in the house.
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joeman
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Post by joeman on Jun 25, 2018 8:37:15 GMT -5
Even with UV glass, the pipes will still oxidize...it will just happen a lot slower.
Since my collection is something over 250...I don't like the idea of having to refurbish the stems again any sooner than I need to. I'm one of those guys who likes his pipes in really nice condition...even my smokers...and oxidation happens fast enough just from using them. So for me, it's a cabinet unit from Ikea with very shallow drawers...absolutely perfect size for pipes.
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Post by bonanzadriver on Jun 25, 2018 9:07:15 GMT -5
My "Display" (storage system) has evolved over the last 1 1/2 years, since I really started collecting and refurbing pipes. Subsequently it is definitely more organic than it is strategic. I have 3 main areas for keeping my pipes... 1. Left corner of the Wall unit. This is where I have about 25 Bent Bulldogs and a Gourd Calabash. 2. Right cabinet shelves , top & Bottom 3. My Writing Desk. This is a collection of a 24 pipe rack, two 6 pipe racks, a 3 pipe rack and a Tobacco jar and 6 pipe rack, plus several individual pipe stands...     
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Post by Legend Lover on Jun 25, 2018 9:17:29 GMT -5
If it is true oxidation and not just a term people say, then it doesn't matter where you display it. If I'm correct, then sunlight acts as a catalyst, speeding up the process. So if it's in the hall where there is no direct sunlight it'll not happen as quickly, but if you rotate the pipes well and give the stem a wee check-up and rub every time you smoke each pipe then I'm sure it shouldn't be much of an issue.
Just my 2 cents.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 25, 2018 9:56:46 GMT -5
Dino, I’ve seen some pictures of your smoking lounge prior. I must say you’ve got the BUG....it has evolved beautifully 👍👍👍
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Post by jeffd on Jun 25, 2018 10:03:45 GMT -5
So for my edification - is oxidation a coating on the pipe stem, or is it a degradation of the surface of the pipe stem itself? Does restoring a pipe stem remove pipe stem material, so that there are only a fixed number of oxidation/restore cycles before the stem is too thin?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 25, 2018 10:14:03 GMT -5
So for my edification - is oxidation a coating on the pipe stem, or is it a degradation of the surface of the pipe stem itself? Does restoring a pipe stem remove pipe stem material, so that there are only a fixed number of oxidation/restore cycles before the stem is too thin? If the stem is made from vulcanite/ebonite oxidation is inevitable. After I enjoy a pipe I wipe the stem with a microfiber cloth with my mixture of bee’s wax & mineral oil and hand buff well. So far since I’ve been doing this process I have not had a pipe develop oxidation. Some purchase obsidian oil and I know some pipe smokers that coat their pipe stems with olive oil. Not difficult to maintain if you start from the beginning.
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joeman
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Post by joeman on Jun 25, 2018 10:41:23 GMT -5
JeffD....oxidation is caused by sulfur rising to the surface of your stem...which is also why a nasty, brown/green oxidized stem tastes so awful. This process is caused by heat, light, water (especially warm/hot water), and also air to some degree (simply because of heat and moisture it carries). The quality / type of vulcanite / ebonite also affects how quickly the stem may oxidize. A stem cut from a rod will oxidize a bit slower than a molded stem, since there are likely to be more tiny air bubbles which happen when mixing and pouring the stems. So, "preventing" oxidation involves avoiding exposure to those things above...which is fairly restricting, and not worth it to a lot of guys.
Yes, each time you deal with oxidation, you're removing a tiny layer of material. I don't care if you bleach, oxy-clean, wet sand, micro-mesh, buff...you are removing material. Since I've kept my pipes out of "harms way" for several years since going full-bore into pipe refurb, I've not needed to re-do any stem more than a few times. After de-oxidizing certain stems a few times, you'd not be able to look closely and determine that my stem had become smaller / thinner. However, if a stem was put through enough refurbishment cycles, it would certainly show. The good news is that what's removed each time in my process is quite minuscule.
There is no "one correct way" to deal with oxidation...but removing a tiny layer of material is going to happen in my shop. Putting oil on an already oxidized stem will make the oxidation "appear" darker, and will give it a temporary shine...but this does not remove oxidation; just remove the oil...and there it is. But I agree with Ted...if you want to have your pipes out on display, oil (such as obsidian) can help to slow down the oxidation (to some degree), but should be done from the get-go. But, it is not a 'solution' to an already oxidized stem.
Hope that helps.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 25, 2018 11:33:25 GMT -5
Here are all the pipes left after the purge over the last couple years which has cut the collection roughly in half. 9mms and cobs which I currently prefer:  Top left, a mishmash of several. Top right is my collection of GBD 549 bulldogs. Both racks were scored on the cheap and refinished. Bottom left rack are Sav POYs, Collection and Anniversary. Bottom right rack is also a refinished cheapster full of Tinsky and Boswell offerings. Bottom shelf are the meers, Baki, Altinok and IMP. 
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Post by jeffd on Jun 25, 2018 11:36:53 GMT -5
I really like those wall hangers in the second picture! I would like to do something like that.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 25, 2018 11:49:20 GMT -5
I really like those wall hangers in the second picture! I would like to do something like that. Functional, cheap and save space for other stuff.
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