|
|
Post by Lady Margaret on Jan 26, 2017 9:22:56 GMT -5
okay, i have a few briars now, so how do i care for them? i presume i clean them after every use. my cobs are pretty low maintenance so i could use some helpful tips and advice for briars.
|
|
puffadder
Junior Member
Gone but not forgotten.
Posts: 173
Favorite Pipe: Baki Gourd Calabash
Favorite Tobacco: Straight Virginias
Location:
|
Post by puffadder on Jan 26, 2017 9:49:05 GMT -5
I just run pipe cleaners through until they come out clean, fold one in half to brush the chamber walls and sop up any moisture in the bottom of the bowl and back in the rack it goes. For thorough cleaning after a few smokes I remove the stem and run cleaners moistened with Bourbon through it and the airway to the bowl. Fold a cleaner in half and scrub the mortise and clean the tenon. Clean any soot from the rim of the bowl (spit on a cloth) and reassemble. Wipe the exterior down with a cloth, clean any tarnish on the silver if you have any, and finish the Bourbon. After cake has built up you'll have to ream the chamber to the thickness desired, and there's lots of tools /methods to accomplish this. If I've missed anything someone will add it,,,and I may learn a thing or two.  |
|
|
|
Post by Lady Margaret on Jan 26, 2017 10:13:16 GMT -5
I just run pipe cleaners through until they come out clean, fold one in half to brush the chamber walls and sop up any moisture in the bottom of the bowl and back in the rack it goes. For thorough cleaning after a few smokes I remove the stem and run cleaners moistened with Bourbon through it and the airway to the bowl. Fold a cleaner in half and scrub the mortise and clean the tenon. Clean any soot from the rim of the bowl (spit on a cloth) and reassemble. Wipe the exterior down with a cloth, clean any tarnish on the silver if you have any, and finish the Bourbon. After cake has built up you'll have to ream the chamber to the thickness desired, and there's lots of tools /methods to accomplish this. If I've missed anything someone will add it,,,and I may learn a thing or two.
thank you! I have Absolut Vodka, I presume that's an acceptable substitute to bourbon? lol.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
Location:
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2017 14:48:45 GMT -5
I just run pipe cleaners through until they come out clean, fold one in half to brush the chamber walls and sop up any moisture in the bottom of the bowl and back in the rack it goes. For thorough cleaning after a few smokes I remove the stem and run cleaners moistened with Bourbon through it and the airway to the bowl. Fold a cleaner in half and scrub the mortise and clean the tenon. Clean any soot from the rim of the bowl (spit on a cloth) and reassemble. Wipe the exterior down with a cloth, clean any tarnish on the silver if you have any, and finish the Bourbon. After cake has built up you'll have to ream the chamber to the thickness desired, and there's lots of tools /methods to accomplish this. If I've missed anything someone will add it,,,and I may learn a thing or two.
thank you! I have Absolut Vodka, I presume that's an acceptable substitute to bourbon? lol.
Some would strongly suggest Everclear; however, I've used Kettle One vodka on my babies for years with no negative effects. Absolut should also work fine. Nivea Crème will keep the rims clean unless they're charred. |
|
|
|
Post by Lady Margaret on Jan 26, 2017 14:52:47 GMT -5
thank you! I have Absolut Vodka, I presume that's an acceptable substitute to bourbon? lol.
Some would strongly suggest Everclear; however, I've used Kettle One vodka on my babies for years with no negative effects. Absolut should also work fine.
thanks! yes, i've heard everclear recommended frequently, but i figure a good vodka would work fine.
|
|
|
|
Post by sparks on Jan 26, 2017 21:42:27 GMT -5
The issue with any spirit other than Everclear or a very high alcohol content rubbing alcohol is the amount of water they contain. Not going to ruin anything, but the higher alcohol content allows for faster evaporation, thus allowing the pipe to dry after cleaning quicker.
To each his own though.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
Location:
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2017 22:17:29 GMT -5
I pretty much do what others have mentioned. I use vodka, whiskey or tequila for a solvent to loosen up stuff, but maybe after 7-8 bowls.
|
|
|
|
Post by Lady Margaret on Jan 26, 2017 22:36:44 GMT -5
good to know!
|
|
psycholime
New Member
Posts: 99 
First Name: Sean
Favorite Pipe: Stanwell #2 oval bowl
Favorite Tobacco: Three Noggins
Location:
|
Post by psycholime on Jan 28, 2017 22:47:23 GMT -5
Use a regular paper towel and twist it into the chamber and give it a couple of spins around the block after every smoke . You will end up with a perfect and rock hard cake .
|
|
|
|
Post by Lady Margaret on Jan 29, 2017 0:15:29 GMT -5
Use a regular paper towel and twist it into the chamber and give it a couple of spins around the block after every smoke . You will end up with a perfect and rock hard cake .
cool, thanks!
|
|
|
|
Post by Motto on Jan 29, 2017 4:46:47 GMT -5
Hi Lady M, I usually clean out with a pipe cleaner & clean the bowl with a tissue, I would not waste good spirits (or propriety cleaners ) on a pipe, except to moisten or flavour the baccy with a cheap spirit occasionally , if it gets burnt why waste a single malt for example ? Waste not want not, my Mum taught me. If you have ghost from an estate after half a dozen smokes it should go, Bye for now.
PS. It is a good idea to run a flame from your lighter around the bowl of a new pipe , particularly the Kong pipes , even with metal inlays to burn off any possible unknown chemical finish, better safe than sorry, as my Mum taught me, ;-)
|
|
|
|
Post by Lady Margaret on Jan 29, 2017 8:53:15 GMT -5
Hi Lady M, I usually clean out with a pipe cleaner & clean the bowl with a tissue, I would not waste good spirits (or propriety cleaners ) on a pipe, except to moisten or flavour the baccy with a cheap spirit occasionally , if it gets burnt why waste a single malt for example ? Waste not want not, my Mum taught me. If you have ghost from an estate after half a dozen smokes it should go, Bye for now. PS. It is a good idea to run a flame from your lighter around the bowl of a new pipe , particularly the Kong pipes , even with metal inlays to burn off any possible unknown chemical finish, better safe than sorry, as my Mum taught me, ;-)
aha! thank you very much.
|
|
|
|
Post by Motto on Jan 29, 2017 9:30:52 GMT -5
P'S. Some wolves & silk worms & maggots think it is cool to light pipes & cigars with a hundred dollar bill, it is hotter in hell, if you will excuse the reference on the Rest day, (sounds like the rest room day in PC language).
|
|
|
|
Post by poppasmurfjr on Jan 29, 2017 10:37:08 GMT -5
Remember one small thing in regards to the recommendations of wiping the bowl out with a tissue or paper towel. Both of those can and once a little cake is built up will leave little tissue/towel fuzzys in the bowl. Really nothing major to worry about though until your next smoke. i prefer to smoke tobacco and not fuzzys.
Your from WV so it shouldn't be hard to find some good high proof moonshine and if you cant buy a bottle of Everclear at the liquor store. A bottle will last a lifetime. Always have an ample supply of good quality pipe cleaners both the regular and bristle. After each smoke run a few pipe cleaners through the stem to the bowl and repeat till the cleaner comes back clean. Now take another pipe cleaner and bend it in half and use that to wipe the inside of the bowl. Now every 3 or 4 smokes run a bristle cleaner down the stem to the bowl to get anything the regular cleaners has been missing. I'll usually run an Everclear dipped cleaner a few times to get the airway moistened before running a bristle cleaner to get any gunk and then a couple of regular cleaners til tey come out clean. If you know how to clean and maintain a gun barrel then you know how to clean and maintain your pipe. Now for the exterior do not use furniture polish. If you have not yet order a pipe polishing rag on yur next tobacco and/or pipe order and use that to polish your pipe with. You can use a smooth cotton rag like an old undergarment but you will want a polishing rag since they are impregnated with a pipe friendly polish.
Now in regards to booze to clean your pipes I would avoid using them. The proof is just not high enough and it is the alcohol that is doing the cleaning and sanitizing and not the water they use to lower the proof to a consumable booze level. Now if you do want to you use booze stay away from brown liquors or any white liquor that is not tasteless. Any booze with any flavor can and will leave a taste in your pipe. I buy booze to drink, pure grain alcohol to clean my pipes and tobacco to smoke. I personally do not like booze flavored smokes so I do not buy booze flavored tobacco and I do not use booze to clean my pipes.
|
|
|
|
Post by Lady Margaret on Jan 29, 2017 11:57:50 GMT -5
Remember one small thing in regards to the recommendations of wiping the bowl out with a tissue or paper towel. Both of those can and once a little cake is built up will leave little tissue/towel fuzzys in the bowl. Really nothing major to worry about though until your next smoke. i prefer to smoke tobacco and not fuzzys. Your from WV so it shouldn't be hard to find some good high proof moonshine and if you cant buy a bottle of Everclear at the liquor store. A bottle will last a lifetime. Always have an ample supply of good quality pipe cleaners both the regular and bristle. After each smoke run a few pipe cleaners through the stem to the bowl and repeat till the cleaner comes back clean. Now take another pipe cleaner and bend it in half and use that to wipe the inside of the bowl. Now every 3 or 4 smokes run a bristle cleaner down the stem to the bowl to get anything the regular cleaners has been missing. I'll usually run an Everclear dipped cleaner a few times to get the airway moistened before running a bristle cleaner to get any gunk and then a couple of regular cleaners til tey come out clean. If you know how to clean and maintain a gun barrel then you know how to clean and maintain your pipe. Now for the exterior do not use furniture polish. If you have not yet order a pipe polishing rag on yur next tobacco and/or pipe order and use that to polish your pipe with. You can use a smooth cotton rag like an old undergarment but you will want a polishing rag since they are impregnated with a pipe friendly polish. Now in regards to booze to clean your pipes I would avoid using them. The proof is just not high enough and it is the alcohol that is doing the cleaning and sanitizing and not the water they use to lower the proof to a consumable booze level. Now if you do want to you use booze stay away from brown liquors or any white liquor that is not tasteless. Any booze with any flavor can and will leave a taste in your pipe. I buy booze to drink, pure grain alcohol to clean my pipes and tobacco to smoke. I personally do not like booze flavored smokes so I do not buy booze flavored tobacco and I do not use booze to clean my pipes.
very detailed, thanks so much! and in WV the idea of using quality moonshine to clean pipes would be a shooting offense (because moonshine is still illegal, however, not hard to get a hold of) but what they don't know won't hurt me, lol.
|
|
|
|
Post by Motto on Jan 29, 2017 13:46:13 GMT -5
Remember one small thing in regards to the recommendations of wiping the bowl out with a tissue or paper towel. Both of those can and once a little cake is built up will leave little tissue/towel fuzzys in the bowl. Really nothing major to worry about though until your next smoke. i prefer to smoke tobacco and not fuzzys. Your from WV so it shouldn't be hard to find some good high proof moonshine and if you cant buy a bottle of Everclear at the liquor store. A bottle will last a lifetime. Always have an ample supply of good quality pipe cleaners both the regular and bristle. After each smoke run a few pipe cleaners through the stem to the bowl and repeat till the cleaner comes back clean. Now take another pipe cleaner and bend it in half and use that to wipe the inside of the bowl. Now every 3 or 4 smokes run a bristle cleaner down the stem to the bowl to get anything the regular cleaners has been missing. I'll usually run an Everclear dipped cleaner a few times to get the airway moistened before running a bristle cleaner to get any gunk and then a couple of regular cleaners til tey come out clean. If you know how to clean and maintain a gun barrel then you know how to clean and maintain your pipe. Now for the exterior do not use furniture polish. If you have not yet order a pipe polishing rag on yur next tobacco and/or pipe order and use that to polish your pipe with. You can use a smooth cotton rag like an old undergarment but you will want a polishing rag since they are impregnated with a pipe friendly polish. Now in regards to booze to clean your pipes I would avoid using them. The proof is just not high enough and it is the alcohol that is doing the cleaning and sanitizing and not the water they use to lower the proof to a consumable booze level. Now if you do want to you use booze stay away from brown liquors or any white liquor that is not tasteless. Any booze with any flavor can and will leave a taste in your pipe. I buy booze to drink, pure grain alcohol to clean my pipes and tobacco to smoke. I personally do not like booze flavored smokes so I do not buy booze flavored tobacco and I do not use booze to clean my pipes. Hi Poppa, I can agree with most of that , especially the wasting of good spirits, it is a scandal to waste tobacco , like wasting spirits, but I sometimes like some blended whisky to moisten dry baccy, but it is a bit over fussy to go to such lengths to clean the bowl, after all the burning of the tobacco is a great cleanser, but each to his own. Do you favour Petersons , Rattrays , Dunhills or Savinellis, may I ask Poppa ?, see Ya. |
|
|
|
Post by poppasmurfjr on Jan 29, 2017 19:21:00 GMT -5
Do you favour Petersons , Rattrays , Dunhills or Savinellis, may I ask Poppa ?, see Ya. Peterson's - NO, not even if they were paying me to take them. I would rather smoke a free corn cob than a Peterson and I am not a cob fan at all. Peterson is not only IMHO both clunky and oogly but they are again IMHO about the lowest quality factory brand pipe on the market. The overall IMHO QC sucks along with there use of what I consider to be inferior and improperly aged/cured briar and there practice of dipping the entire pipe in the finishing stain. Do I need to say anything more on what I think of Peterson pipes? Rattrays - Just another factory made pipe that starts at just a step above IMHO a basket pipe. Some of there lines are decent but for the money IMHO there are far better pipes available on the market and no I wont respond on which ones I think are better. Dunhill's - Recent production since the 80's to now are IMHO not worth even the wholesale prices the tobacconists pay to have them in there inventory. There overall QC has dropped and IMHO they are more worried about ow many they can produce then about there attention to detail. Some of the older production is IMHO of better quality but for the prices, even for an estate I think IMHO most are overpriced. I have only seen a few that I would drop $300 on for as an estate but that is very few knowing there are way better pipes both new and estate for sale at the same prices. Savinelli's - Probably one of the best factory made pipes on the market today. Back when Stanwell was owned by the Danes and made in Denmark I would rate both Savinelli and Stanwell as the best bang for the buck brands on the market and if you couldn't find a pipe within those brands that would spark your interest you probably have some sort of problems. Please note that in regards to Stanwell IMHO if it is not a Danish made pipe it is about equal to a Rattrays pipe. The overall QC has fallen by the wayside along with there attention to detail on the finishing since the brand was sold and they moved production to Italy. Now before you starting asking your next battery of questions I like pipes that scream my name. I buy very few factory made pipes other than ones that seriously scream my name and the true artisan pipes I do purchase is because I either personally know the maker or have seen there quality and attention to detail first hand on more than a few occasions. Hope that answers your questions and G'evning and Bye. PoppaSmurfJr OUT |
|
|
|
Post by Baboo on Jan 29, 2017 19:33:55 GMT -5
I once cleaned a meer-lined Baraccini with Tennessee hooch and it caused the meer to crack, so take care with that combo or any alchohol w/meer. Other than that, I use a cask strength Bourbon, Everclear, or 120+ proof Moonshine from the Tennessee hills (u gotta know someone ;-) )...
|
|
|
|
Post by Lady Margaret on Jan 29, 2017 20:13:53 GMT -5
I once cleaned a meer-lined Baraccini with Tennessee hooch and it caused the meer to crack, so take care with that combo or any alchohol w/meer. Other than that, I use a cask strength Bourbon, Everclear, or 120+ proof Moonshine from the Tennessee hills (u gotta know someone ;-) )...
good to know. yeah, in WV it's the same way 
|
|
|
|
Post by trailboss on Jan 29, 2017 20:32:03 GMT -5
It might have already been mentioned, but Everclear will really dull the finish on a briar, so be careful with it...I have never used other alcohols so I cannot speak to them, but I reckon it is the same.
I have Baboo has said, I have seen many others mention that Everclear with a meer is a no-no.
|
|
|
|
Post by Baboo on Jan 29, 2017 20:45:07 GMT -5
As suggested above, Everclear, or any other alcohol product, should not be used on the exterior of a bowl, as they will strip away any natural shellac or oil/stain finish applied.
|
|
psycholime
New Member
Posts: 99
First Name: Sean
Favorite Pipe: Stanwell #2 oval bowl
Favorite Tobacco: Three Noggins
Location:
|
Post by psycholime on Jan 29, 2017 20:49:12 GMT -5
Drink the shine and use Coca Cola to clean the pipe or iced tea whatever as long as it is wet . Get some Dills pipe cleaners for scrubbers or some of those bristle brush thing a ma bobs .Find a brand of pipe cleaners you like . I will not suggest Rayon go cotton . The thing is just use a couple of pipe cleaners after every smoke it should be years before you need to use alcohol to clean with . Hopefully you can let the pipe rest a couple of days after smoking and giving it the pipe cleaner treatment .Now if you go estate pipes you will need lots and lots of pipe cleaners and paper towels and a trash bag and some shine as well a bottle of wine or a six pack . Happy smoking .
|
|
|
|
Post by Motto on Jan 29, 2017 20:49:36 GMT -5
Do you favour Petersons , Rattrays , Dunhills or Savinellis, may I ask Poppa ?, see Ya. Peterson's - NO, not even if they were paying me to take them. I would rather smoke a free corn cob than a Peterson and I am not a cob fan at all. Peterson is not only IMHO both clunky and oogly but they are again IMHO about the lowest quality factory brand pipe on the market. The overall IMHO QC sucks along with there use of what I consider to be inferior and improperly aged/cured briar and there practice of dipping the entire pipe in the finishing stain. Do I need to say anything more on what I think of Peterson pipes? Rattrays - Just another factory made pipe that starts at just a step above IMHO a basket pipe. Some of there lines are decent but for the money IMHO there are far better pipes available on the market and no I wont respond on which ones I think are better. Dunhill's - Recent production since the 80's to now are IMHO not worth even the wholesale prices the tobacconists pay to have them in there inventory. There overall QC has dropped and IMHO they are more worried about ow many they can produce then about there attention to detail. Some of the older production is IMHO of better quality but for the prices, even for an estate I think IMHO most are overpriced. I have only seen a few that I would drop $300 on for as an estate but that is very few knowing there are way better pipes both new and estate for sale at the same prices. Savinelli's - Probably one of the best factory made pipes on the market today. Back when Stanwell was owned by the Danes and made in Denmark I would rate both Savinelli and Stanwell as the best bang for the buck brands on the market and if you couldn't find a pipe within those brands that would spark your interest you probably have some sort of problems. Please note that in regards to Stanwell IMHO if it is not a Danish made pipe it is about equal to a Rattrays pipe. The overall QC has fallen by the wayside along with there attention to detail on the finishing since the brand was sold and they moved production to Italy. Now before you starting asking your next battery of questions I like pipes that scream my name. I buy very few factory made pipes other than ones that seriously scream my name and the true artisan pipes I do purchase is because I either personally know the maker or have seen there quality and attention to detail first hand on more than a few occasions. Hope that answers your questions and G'evning and Bye. PoppaSmurfJr OUT Hi thanks for sharing that sir, are you perhaps of EU origins may I ask Dutch or Deutsch or neighbours dare I ask ? |
|
