De-Grabowed a Dr. Grabow

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celticbrewer

Starting to Get Obsessed
Sep 16, 2018
101
17
I had an old Dr. Grabow pipe that a friend found at a garage sale when I had first started pipe smoking. I needed some briar dust for another restoration and I never liked the "drug store lacquer" on this pipe. I sanded it down and let the natural briar come out with some wax. Maybe a little crazy to violate the nature of the pipe but it made the grain really gorgeous for such an entry level pipe! Check it out below:
Original Grabow

20190302_100904-150x112.jpg

De-Grabow'd

20190407_114057-150x112.jpg


20190407_114041-150x112.jpg


20190407_114047-150x112.jpg


 

didimauw

Moderator
Staff member
Jul 28, 2013
9,967
31,885
34
Burlington WI
Oh man that's so much better without the laquer. I love doing that to pipes. Like, who would want to hide that???

 

Chasing Embers

Captain of the Black Frigate
Nov 12, 2014
43,445
109,364
The Grabow lacquer can be removed with acetone with no need for sanding. Very lovely grain on that one.

 

newbroom

Lifer
Jul 11, 2014
6,130
6,826
Florida
I don't see a spade on the stem, suggesting a replacement, which in this case looks like it might close up with a little off the end of the tenon. (I assume it isn't because of grunge build up)

Nice looking pipe under all that 'finish'.

 

celticbrewer

Starting to Get Obsessed
Sep 16, 2018
101
17
Good to know about the acetone! Ill try that next time when I dont need the briar dust. I believe it is a replacement stem - its a little loose - going to see if there is a way to tighten the metal tenon.

 

bnichols23

Lifer
Mar 13, 2018
4,131
9,554
SC Piedmont
Who, VASTly better! A much better fate than ending up as a boat anchor, which is what would've happened to it if it'd come my way. }:)
B

 

ophiuchus

Lifer
Mar 25, 2016
1,560
2,059
I've got a few Grabows in this shape packed away somewhere ... yours looks better than mine. :puffy:
Nice color. You can see the grain the original stain/lacquer was hiding.

 
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