A Tip and a New Pipe

Been absent for awhile, but I wanted to share a couple of tidbits and ask for some technical advice (via private message).

First, ever have a problem with the pipe insert of your flip top lighter carbonizing too much and unable to clean it? I thought I'd try this method, based on stories on how Coca Cola can eat through a beef steak. The carbonation is so strong that I figured it might blast off the carbon grime. Another solvent might work as well, but I don't know which one, having tried alcohol to no avail. So I took the insert, removed the cotton and wick and soaked it in a small amount of Coke in a coffee mug. Well, it didn't blast it off, but after an hour it loosened the black grime enough to wipe the gunk away with a cloth without too much trouble. If anyone knows of a better method, let me know. (I tried this on the rim of a pipe as well with the same result and without any removal of stain.)

Next, from the good people at Smoking Pipes, I just got this gem in the mail today: a Nording Valhalla bulldog with a beautiful stain and finish, the kind Eric Nording does best:



Outside of aesthetics, this is a great pipe, I learned from a rusticated version I got earlier, for outings and trips to the relatives who frown on smoking during family gatherings. And it's a great smoker!

Lastly, my digital camera broke: does anyone know how to transfer a photo from a Kindle Fire to a desktop? My cell is a cheap Q-Link phone that I only use for emergencies.

Thanks for listening, guys.

Nah, nothing compared to stomach acid!

Your method sounds better than the brute force method of soda pop. I'm printing yours out for future reference.

The stem fits a little better than the photo shows, but yes, it's not a firm fit. I have the same issue with my other Nording bulldog. I live with it. On the other hand, Workman, it is a great cliencher, very light, and holds a respectable amount of tobacco.This particular Valhalla is a 401, btw.

Hi Jay,

From your perspective, I can see how the stem could be consideed terrible. If you look closely however, you'll see the rims of the shank and stem appear, and are, sanded down to a rounded edge. To me at least, this seems an organic touch.

About returning Peterson: I return Petersons, as I did recently with an Atlantic, when the high finish gloss bubbles off. Difficult to tell when this is going to happen: it's happened with a couple of churchwardens (but not on a D 107) and a burn through which can't be predicted. Clear examples of pipe flaws. I may have some loose boulders in my cranium, but Peterson is still my favorite. I plan to order a Fisherman in a few days, probably a reaction to discovering the series "River Monsters."

Thanks to the Witch, who is too cute to call herself thus. :worship: