Well, tonight I learned a valuable lesson; just because an ebay seller tells you that they have cleaned an estate pipe and that it is ready for smoking, it does not mean that they actually fully cleaned a the pipe. Recently I won and auction for an estate Dr. Grabow freehand (by the way got this for a great price even after you factor in shipping.) Today the pipe arrived in the mail and it appeared to be a decently restored pipe; so, with much excitement I soon was setting in my favorite chair smoking a wonderful bowl of my favorite tobacco. The only problems I encountered was that they pipe was a bit ghosted, no worries as I knew I could smoke that out; however, not to far into the smoke the draw became severely restricted.
So, after I was finished and the pipe had cooled I ran a pipe cleaner through it which came out a bit more dirty than I was expecting (by the way, I had ran a dry cleaner through it before I had started smoking the pipe). I then disassembled the pipe and shone a light down the bit and through shank, and to my surprise the interior of the airway was absolutely filthy. After twenty plus pipe cleaners I soon realized that I was going to need to purchase a shank brush and give the pipe a true interior cleaning.
I am really not that upset because I got a decent pipe for a great price; however, I did learn a valuable lesson centered around this truth: Just because an estate pipe has had the bowl reamed and had the exterior waxed and polished does not mean that the pipe has been truly cleaned. The next time I purchase an estate pipe that is reportedly ready for smoking I am still going to give the pipe a thorough inspection. Actually, I think from now on I am going to give any used pipe I purchase a complete cleaning before I attempt to smoke it.
So, after I was finished and the pipe had cooled I ran a pipe cleaner through it which came out a bit more dirty than I was expecting (by the way, I had ran a dry cleaner through it before I had started smoking the pipe). I then disassembled the pipe and shone a light down the bit and through shank, and to my surprise the interior of the airway was absolutely filthy. After twenty plus pipe cleaners I soon realized that I was going to need to purchase a shank brush and give the pipe a true interior cleaning.
I am really not that upset because I got a decent pipe for a great price; however, I did learn a valuable lesson centered around this truth: Just because an estate pipe has had the bowl reamed and had the exterior waxed and polished does not mean that the pipe has been truly cleaned. The next time I purchase an estate pipe that is reportedly ready for smoking I am still going to give the pipe a thorough inspection. Actually, I think from now on I am going to give any used pipe I purchase a complete cleaning before I attempt to smoke it.
