Did I Get a Little Overzealous with the Pipe Cleaners?

pipesinperu · Feb 8, 2015

I searched around for something similar, but I seem to have been the first pipe smoker foolish enough to have made this particular mistake(!). As you can see in the picture below, I appear to have run a pipe cleaner too far down this Stanwell slightly bent acorn (registered patent, Sixten design... :crying

during and after my smokes and have gouged out a tiny bit of the briar from the heel, probably from twisting the pipe cleaner trying to sop up the moisture while the briar was still warm.

My question is whether or not you think this will be OK if I learn from my dumb mistake and continue to smoke carefully, or do I need to do a pipe mud fix? I'm assuming this could possibly lead to a burnout if I'm not careful.

allan · Feb 8, 2015

Pipes
Picture did not post. Try again.
I can't imagine how a pipe cleaner could really do that much damage so I'm guessing (without seeing) you're ok.

pipesinperu · Feb 8, 2015

Sorry, picture should be displaying now. I hope you're of the same opinion after you see it, haha.

forest7 · Feb 8, 2015

Emergency! Emergency!

Need pipe mud right away.

May be a folding paper towel can help before using a pipe cleaner.

sablebrush52 · Feb 8, 2015

I don't think that it will be an issue. A few bowls and the area will get recovered. When I use pipe cleaners, I keep my fingers on the cleaner at a point where it will clear the shank airway without bumping up against the far side of the chamber.

mso489 · Feb 8, 2015

forest7 has the answer with the pipe mud. Then be gentle for a while in cleaning the pipe. I have

been vigorous with pipe cleaners and never had a problem, so I am not sure this wasn't over-drilled

at the factory and then maybe covered over, but that is a rare irregularity for a Stanwell. I have three,

and they seem excellent quality.

Chasing Embers · Feb 8, 2015

Still don't see a pic, just don't run your cleaner all the way into the chamber.

allan · Feb 8, 2015

See the photo now.
I agree with Sable. Just fill it up only 1/2 way a few times and smoke to the bottom. Should be ok, IMO.

torque · Feb 8, 2015

I wouldn't worry about a divot that small. Burnt carbon will fill that up in no time.

buroak · Feb 9, 2015

That should be no problem at all. I have seen pipes from very respectable makers in which the bit used to drill out the airway made contact or even cut into the bowl wall opposite the draft hole. No less than Tim West has said that such a condition is naturally corrected by cake accumulation.

pipesinperu · Feb 9, 2015

Thanks, all. I have put 2-3 bowls through the pipe since I took that picture last week, always checking to make sure there are no hot spots in the heel as I smoke, and it has started to cover over just like many of you said. I assumed this was a good sign, but some reassurance from more experienced pipe smokers is the best way to put your mind at ease!

zack24 · Feb 9, 2015

Looks like an overdrill...nothing to worry about...

griffonwing · Feb 9, 2015

It's a goner. Please send to me for disposal.

stvalentine · Feb 9, 2015

This is a severe defect and needs to be addressed immediately! Send me the pipe with no further ado. I am a pipe doctor amd if we are very lucky I am able to mend this pipe within a year. My consoltation is not cheap though.... :wink: :lol:
Smoke the hell out of this little pipe! :D : puffy

:

desertpipe · Feb 9, 2015

Yup, it is an over-drill from the factory that will cause you no problem. A pipe cleaner is, in my experience, unlikely to do any damage at all to briar. Over drills are not that common in briar, more common in Meers.

woodsroad · Feb 9, 2015

Looks like all that you did was clean it really well. I don't see damage, just a spot of briar shining through. And also the over drilling, which is a separate issue and just as inconsequential.

delro · Feb 9, 2015

I have a pipe that looks like that, product of over drilling is my guess. I use a napkin to swap the bowl before I stick a pipe cleaner to get rid of excess moisture, I also used to accidentally hit the briar with the pipe cleaner, never did significant damage.

Did I Get a Little Overzealous with the Pipe Cleaners?

Log in

SmokingPipes.com Updates

PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor

Site Sponsors

PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor

PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor

PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor

PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor

Starting to Get Obsessed

Lifer

Starting to Get Obsessed

Starting to Get Obsessed

The Bard Of Barlings

Lifer

Captain of the Black Frigate

Lifer

Can't Leave

Lifer

Starting to Get Obsessed

Lifer

Can't Leave

Part of the Furniture Now

Might Stick Around

Lifer

Starting to Get Obsessed