Can you tell what/if there's anything wrong with this pipe?

dhizzy · Nov 29, 2011

http://www.ebay.com/itm/IMPORTED-BRIAR-TOBACCO-ESTATE-PIPE-1950s-RESTORED-/120819940493?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c216dfc8d]
Look at the enlarged photos of the stem. It looks like its scratched? Or is it just the way the light is hitting it? Doesn't look bad for the price just wondering what your thoughts are. Maybe its from his "restoring" process? Should I steer clear?
Thanks,
Dave

dhizzy · Nov 29, 2011

I think I got it fixed. I refreshed after an edit and can just click on it now. Sorry. So how easy is it to buff something like that out? I don't have any machinery to do that.

dhizzy · Nov 29, 2011

I just think that grain is so cool!

ace57 · Nov 29, 2011

Looks scratched to Me.

olderthandirt · Nov 29, 2011

I looked at few of the sellers other listings.

Between the descriptions and apparent use of a coarse sandpaper on more than just the stems, hard telling what the pipes could really be like.
From the pics it looks like it could be cleaned up.

dhizzy · Nov 29, 2011

Thanks OTD. I guess that's the risk when it comes to ebay. I get the feeling that he does not know pipes(which isn't necessarily a bad thing) because he refers to cake as smoke residue. Can it be done by hand?

bigvan · Nov 29, 2011

Buffing the stem? Yes, it can be done by hand.
If you're itching to try your hand at refurbishing a pipe, this might be a good guinea pig, though I wouldn't spend too much $$ on it if I were you.

olderthandirt · Nov 29, 2011

Oh yes, it can be done by hand. Will take some time but doable.

The least expensive way to go would be using wet/dry sandpaper. Hardware stores or auto parts stores.

From the looks of those scratches, strictly guessing mind, I'd think you would need to start with something like 200 grit and work up from there.

dhizzy · Nov 29, 2011

Ok thanks guys. @ bigvan, that is exactly what I'm interested in doing and he has a few pipes that look OKish in the 6-10 dollar range. If he will combine shipping I might pick a couple up. I keep looking to grow my collection and new pipes are just too much $ sometimes. I got the green light from the boss to buy them and put them under the tree for myself. :lol:

rigmedic1 · Nov 29, 2011

Looks to be a good starter pipe, but caveat emptor, my friend. No-name pipes are a gamble at best. I would be more concerned with the insides, being sure to give it a good thorough cleaning inside and out. I wouldn't recommend breaking the bank either, as there are many decent new pipes vavailable fron 25 to 50 bucks from the online vendors that advertise here.

Good luck!

ejames · Nov 29, 2011

Looks like 200 grit was used on it! I'd start with 320-360 and work up to 1000-1200. That style of stem can be a PITA to sand and buff because of the saddle and all those sharp edges/facets.

dhizzy · Nov 29, 2011

Thank you ejames

riptide · Nov 29, 2011

Start with 600 grit wet sand paper and work your way up with micro mesh 1500, 4000, 6000, 8000, and 12000 then polished with bees wax or stem polish or some sort.

jchaplick · Nov 29, 2011

It looks like they tried to clean the stem and didnt finish doing it with a finer grit medium. Just needs to be buffed, you can do it pretty easily with a non quilted paper towel like viva, and toothpaste, follwed by olive oil

dhizzy · Nov 29, 2011

Thanks fellas, I think I will pull the trigger on a couple of his pipes. He has some other ones that are in decent shape that aren't scratched like this one. That is, if I can click at the right time and win.

pstlpkr · Nov 29, 2011

dhizzy, here's my 2 cents:

I agree that it is scratched and scratched with sand paper.

I also agree with most of the comments on how to remedy the issue.

But, something that seems to have been overlooked...

That being the seller wanted to make it look nice enough to sell but lacked any knowledge about pipe restoration.

To me that begs the question what else has been mishandled during the "clean up"...

I'd be wary.

dhizzy · Nov 29, 2011

Hmm, this is true. Darn you Lawrence!

antipodesman · Nov 29, 2011

The seller mentions that the stem is loose. That is more significant than that it is scratched. Can you tighten a loose stem? I think it can be a bit tricky. Other than that, it is a nice looking pipe and the price is right.

dhizzy · Nov 29, 2011

All signs pointed to no after I mulled it over boys. I thank you all for the info.

Can you tell what/if there's anything wrong with this pipe?

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