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Post by urbino on Apr 4, 2021 22:30:18 GMT -5
I've got a pipe with a Cumberland stem, and it's the most sulphurous thing I've ever put in my mouth. Is that normal?
I own and have owned numerous pipes with Vulcanite/Ebonite stems, and got the occasional hint of sulfur. Inoffensive enough. But this Cumberland one is downright offputting. It's a shame, because I otherwise really like the pipe.
Maybe I should just send it to somebody and get an acrylic stem made for it, but is this typical with Cumberland? It's hard to believe it is.
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Post by daveinlax on Apr 4, 2021 22:41:32 GMT -5
I’d send it out to be cleaned and polished. Ask the restorer to clean out the airway too. That should take care of the sulfur taste!  |
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Post by Darin on Apr 5, 2021 7:53:32 GMT -5
Ebonite can oxidize over time, unlike acrylic, and may need a good clean and buff.
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Post by oldcajun123 on Apr 5, 2021 8:08:01 GMT -5
 If you’ve got a good hardware store get some TSP, powder for mold and mildew, soak stem in warm water with couple tablespoons and you will be amazed how brown the water gets, clean the airway out also with good stiff brush.
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Post by rdpipes on Apr 5, 2021 11:23:35 GMT -5
This is NOT typical for Cumberland or the other colored ebonite that I know of.
Most comes from Germany (what I use anyway) and is manufactured quite well but, when turning
and drilling it does make the shop smell like I let a good one go. None of the Cumberland/colored
ebonite I have on any of my pipes (I made or someone else made) have ever oxidized, maybe because I keep mine
clean and dry with a cleaner and a wipe off when needed.
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Post by daveinlax on Apr 5, 2021 13:15:23 GMT -5
This is NOT typical for Cumberland or the other colored ebonite that I know of. Most comes from Germany (what I use anyway) and is manufactured quite well but, when turning and drilling it does make the shop smell like I let a good one go. None of the Cumberland/colored ebonite I have on any of my pipes (I made or someone else made) have ever oxidized, maybe because I keep mine clean and dry with a cleaner and a wipe off when needed. Yeah but you’re using the new low sulfur very high quality ebonite. I’ve had lots of experience with Dunhill Pipes with vulcanite cumberland stems that would oxidize overnight. |
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Post by rdpipes on Apr 5, 2021 13:18:19 GMT -5
This is NOT typical for Cumberland or the other colored ebonite that I know of. Most comes from Germany (what I use anyway) and is manufactured quite well but, when turning and drilling it does make the shop smell like I let a good one go. None of the Cumberland/colored ebonite I have on any of my pipes (I made or someone else made) have ever oxidized, maybe because I keep mine clean and dry with a cleaner and a wipe off when needed. Yeah but you’re using the new low sulfur very high quality ebonite. I’ve had lots of experience with Dunhill Pipes with vulcanite cumberland stems that would oxidize overnight. This is true Dave, the older pipes oxidize if you look at them too long. LOL! |
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Post by urbino on Apr 5, 2021 19:08:05 GMT -5
Yeah but you’re using the new low sulfur very high quality ebonite. I’ve had lots of experience with Dunhill Pipes with vulcanite cumberland stems that would oxidize overnight. This is true Dave, the older pipes oxidize if you look at them too long. LOL! This one is new, but it is a Dunnie. It's been like this ever since I got it. The first time I put it in my mouth, I stopped and reached out to the shop I got it from to make sure they hadn't sent me a very clean estate pipe or something. |
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Post by rdpipes on Apr 5, 2021 19:15:27 GMT -5
This is true Dave, the older pipes oxidize if you look at them too long. LOL! This one is new, but it is a Dunnie. It's been like this ever since I got it. The first time I put it in my mouth, I stopped and reached out to the shop I got it from to make sure they hadn't sent me a very clean estate pipe or something. Hmm, Dave said he's had a lot of experience with the Dunhill Cumberland stem pipes and I know it's certainly not his first rodeo. All I can say is they may just be using old stock stems or getting a cheaper ebonite. I haven't a clue otherwise, figure if anyone would have the good stuff they would but, I have heard there quality has gone done since the name change to "White Spot" but, that's here say also.  I say if it bothers you that much I'd try to return it or get in touch with Dunhill and see if they will do anything about it. Hell, there still not cheap in price.
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Post by daveinlax on Apr 5, 2021 19:55:51 GMT -5
I’ve been smoking two of my 6103 billiards with black stems from 2002 and 2007 all weekend and they’re a little hazy and discolored at the bit/button. It would be the same with a Cumberland from that time frame. I will probably use Flitz on them before I put them away in sleeve and box. If you can’t return the pipe I would start with getting the stem/airway cleaned and polished. The key to any vulcanite stem pipe is to keep it in the dark. |
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Post by urbino on Apr 5, 2021 20:10:45 GMT -5
Yeah, this one is the black/red Cumberland. This was it brand new:  |
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Post by urbino on Apr 5, 2021 20:24:29 GMT -5
Don't know if it's relevant, but I do use the soft rubber bits from BJ Long.
The really bizarre thing is it's really only the top of the bit (the original, Cumberland bit, I mean) that's oxidizing like there's no tomorrow and presumably giving me the sulfur taste. I would say that makes some sense since, with the softy bit added, it's the only part of the Cumberland actually in contact with my mouth, but the bottom of the bit is doing just fine. It has oxidized a little in the couple months I've had it, but nothing crazy or unexpected.
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Post by rdpipes on Apr 5, 2021 20:40:51 GMT -5
Don't know if it's relevant, but I do use the soft rubber bits from BJ Long. The really bizarre thing is it's really only the top of the bit (the original, Cumberland bit, I mean) that's oxidizing like there's no tomorrow and presumably giving me the sulfur taste. I would say that makes some sense since, with the softy bit added, it's the only part of the Cumberland actually in contact with my mouth, but the bottom of the bit is doing just fine. It has oxidized a little in the couple months I've had it, but nothing crazy or unexpected. The softies do hold in moisture and will cause it to oxidize quicker, I'm always wiping my off and run a cleaner through it after every smoke, this does help. Moisture and direct sunlight are the enemies of ebonite.
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Post by johnlawitzke on Apr 5, 2021 21:11:31 GMT -5
This one is new, but it is a Dunnie. It's been like this ever since I got it. The first time I put it in my mouth, I stopped and reached out to the shop I got it from to make sure they hadn't sent me a very clean estate pipe or something. Hmm, Dave said he's had a lot of experience with the Dunhill Cumberland stem pipes and I know it's certainly not his first rodeo. All I can say is they may just be using old stock stems or getting a cheaper ebonite. I haven't a clue otherwise, figure if anyone would have the good stuff they would but, I have heard there quality has gone done since the name change to "White Spot" but, that's here say also. I say if it bothers you that much I'd try to return it or get in touch with Dunhill and see if they will do anything about it. Hell, there still not cheap in price.
Nope. If anything, quality has gone up since the rebranding to White Spot. I have White Spots from 2015, 2016, and 2019. They’ve all become favorite pipes of mine. |
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If you’ve got a good hardware store get some TSP, powder for mold and mildew, soak stem in warm water with couple tablespoons and you will be amazed how brown the water gets, clean the airway out also with good stiff brush.
