What are your favorite/recommended pipe cleaners? For the past couple years I’ve just been using B.J. long regulars.
Pipe Cleaners
- Thread starter Akoni808
- Start date
White Elephant. Used to use BJ Long but recently they've changed and they don't have much backbone to negotiate bent stems, they are more like wet noodles bending if you look at them wrong. White Elephant costs more but they seldom bend when using them on a bent stem.
Came here to post BJ Longs but looks like I’ll be trying some White Elephants on my bents.
Peterson Bristles when needed.
Peterson Bristles when needed.
@PaulRVA For many years BJ Longs were my go-to cleaner, however, about a year ago the wire used changed much less backbone now than in years past. YMMV
Agreed, they are great absorbent wise and in straight pipes but on a bent, a p-lip or a dirty stummel they fold up like an accordion.
Ive got a few bundles of theses off Amazon and they’re good enough
for the price.
for the price.
White Elephant ARE good and seem to be becoming more commonly available at B&Ms.
I've been a devoted Blitz and Vauen user for years though. Much higher quality than run of the mill brands, and only a 10-20% increase in price. For me it's well worth the extra dimes and nickels.
A couple weeks ago, a pack of Castello pipe cleaners was included with a pipe order from Italy.
Non-tapered, on the slim side, with bright yellow spots. At first glance I assumed they were nothing special, just typical pipe cleaners with the Castello name slapped on the package.
After using one however, I could tell the steel they use is much higher quality. You can bend it and it snaps right back straight. They're much more durable and less susceptible to developing a kink (even compared to Blitz and Vauen). Not sure I'd go out of my way to order more, but I will gladly use them - especially for pipes with more narrow airways through the stem.
I've been a devoted Blitz and Vauen user for years though. Much higher quality than run of the mill brands, and only a 10-20% increase in price. For me it's well worth the extra dimes and nickels.
A couple weeks ago, a pack of Castello pipe cleaners was included with a pipe order from Italy.
Non-tapered, on the slim side, with bright yellow spots. At first glance I assumed they were nothing special, just typical pipe cleaners with the Castello name slapped on the package.
After using one however, I could tell the steel they use is much higher quality. You can bend it and it snaps right back straight. They're much more durable and less susceptible to developing a kink (even compared to Blitz and Vauen). Not sure I'd go out of my way to order more, but I will gladly use them - especially for pipes with more narrow airways through the stem.
As a follow up question: do you guys use regular and bristled? I’ve always avoided bristles since they seem too abrasive (and damaging to stems).
BJ Long tapers and fluffies for the shank when cleaning, White Elephant regular and bristle for the stem. If a pipe needs a serious clean out, like a newly acquired estate purchase, I'll start with nylon shank brushes, which can take a lot of use and reuse, rather than running through dozens of pipe cleaners.
I used to use BJ Longs but find they shed too much fluff.
Not good if you have any old pipes with bone tenons.
I use BBB cleaners these days. They are very absorbent, but don't shed much.
And Falcon ones with those pipes with narrow, restricted airways.
I have tapered as well as bristle cleaners, but hardly use them at all.
Not good if you have any old pipes with bone tenons.
I use BBB cleaners these days. They are very absorbent, but don't shed much.
And Falcon ones with those pipes with narrow, restricted airways.
I have tapered as well as bristle cleaners, but hardly use them at all.
I don’t think they do any harm, but my fingers don’t like them!
Put me down for the BJ Long tapers because I have a bunch but agree they could be stouter and will be getting more of the pachyderms next pipe or tobacco order.
They felt abrasive on my fingers which made me feel like they would scratch acrylic or vulcanite, but I’m sure i was being irrational.
I buy lots of the BJ Long regular and fluffy each time I place an order with SP. The fluffy ones work especially well on the open airways of cobs. My only complaint is that sometimes the ends are bent from the cutting step. I'll either bend them straighter with my fingers, or snip a bit off with some wire cutters.
You may be right, I just got tired of them scratching up my fingers! Very prickly! I got a bunch of those little nylon and wire brushes for shanks and chambers to handle stuff, but my pipes get a good paper toweling after each use so those are more for the occasional estate.
BJ Long tapered and regular. I have more than enough to last me a life time. Stocked up during holiday sales years ago for less than a buck per 100 pack.
Ill use bristle in the shank if it is really gunked up, ever clear on an absorbent down the stem if it starts getting overly nasty and obsidian oil on my vulcanite, Ashtonite and Cumberland stems when needed. Every smoke gets a pass through with a regular pipe cleaner and then bent over and reamed around the bowl.