Got an estate pipe for a holiday gift, a Thompson mentioned in early posts. I spent an hour or so, while watching TV, polishing up the stem with a jeweler's cloth and a bandana, and a spot of Brebbia polish to brighten it up. Then I had a good smoke in its XL bowl. However, after all the polishing, as soon as it cooled and dried, the bit turned a brownish gray. I assume this is the old Vucanite, prone to rapid oxidation. I'm inclined to send it to a pipe repair person to replace the stem with an acrylic, since the briar is new looking, and has nice grain, and plateau on the rim; I'm thinking of a nice amber or tortoise shell look. I'm not concerned about maintaining the original stem. The stem might be an odd size because of the "West Germany" manufacture. Do some older Vulcanite stems oxidize immediately after every smoke?
I wouldn't mind replacing the P-lip like bit with a fishtail, and trading Vulcanite that oxidizes quickly with acrylic. Ideas? Suggestions?
I wouldn't mind replacing the P-lip like bit with a fishtail, and trading Vulcanite that oxidizes quickly with acrylic. Ideas? Suggestions?