Well POOP, Ruined My Pipe, Sorta

randelli · Nov 26, 2015

*POOP is several levels below what I cannot type on a family forum.
I noticed my pipe was bitter and sour and did not flavor as well as my son's pipe. He religiously cleans his before and after each session. I tend to not clean mine after - I guess to build a cake layer.
Anyhoo, I did some reading on how to clean the funk out of a pipe, and tried it out this morning. The first discovery was that 91% iso is great for removing char and black lacquer from the top of the pipe. My second discovery was that I had dribbled iso on the bowl as well....
Now I have a squeeky-clean, non-black lacquer, briar pipe. The briar is not horrible. I think the hole was not symmetrical to the body; and so it became a basket pipe.
The wood is clean, but dull, and ready for finishing. How are briars finished out? Is it a sealer and wax, wax only, what should I do now?

aldecaker · Nov 26, 2015

Post pics if you can. Hell, some people prefer an unfinished briar, one with only an oil finish, etc.

rigmedic1 · Nov 26, 2015

Several makers sell pipes without a stain, i.e. bare wood. They gain a nice patina with age and use. I have several. Smoke it!

jackswilling · Nov 26, 2015

"The first discovery was that 91% iso is great for removing char and black lacquer from the top of the pipe. My second discovery was that I had dribbled iso on the bowl as well...."
You are not alone in this "discovery" - i.e. you second discovery. I have a Comoy's Blue Riband Pipe and its finish "improves" with usage and age. I agree with rigmedic1, you may want to just roll with it
"The Blue Riband is among the most desired of the classic Comoy's pipes, so it stands to reason that they reserved the name for their best. These traditionally-styled briars are left natural and oil-finished for a soft, matte appearance that allows the grain to stand out."

randelli · Nov 26, 2015

I will post up some photos after I tend to the turkey. I may have some birchwood casey oil finish. I also have some high quality coconut oil that I could use. For some reason I remember reading something about using chapstick??

Chasing Embers · Nov 26, 2015

Chapstick is good for vulcanite stems, but my unfinished pipes get nose oiled.

gloucesterman · Nov 26, 2015

Was the stain itself removed? If not then it's probably just a case pf re-waxing with Carnauba. Some pictures would be helpful.

randelli · Nov 26, 2015

It was a black lacquer pipe. I just ended up removing all of it down to the wood. Here are some pics.

damianmonk · Nov 26, 2015

It looks pretty cool in my opinion, although cannot speak for the bowl

randelli · Nov 26, 2015

I said bowl; but I meant the entire outside of the pipe.
Before:

After:

jackswilling · Nov 26, 2015

I like it, I say oil it up. Nice piece of briar hiding under there.

agnosticpipe · Nov 26, 2015

You may want to use mineral oil on the bowl if you're not polishing or waxing it with pure carnauba wax. Mineral oil is what is used on wood cutting boards to keep them in shape. It has no odor or toxins so it's safe to use on food prep items.

The truth is, as others have said, you don't really have to do anything to it. I will color naturally over time from the oils in your fingers and from the tobacco. Keeping it clean on the inside is the most important thing. Just enjoy smoking it.

newbroom · Nov 26, 2015

I think you should get it on a good buffing wheel with a light carnuba. Pop that grain right outta there with a little shine on it. A light wax would be somewhat protective too. I wouldn't bother with more stain, and might even want to try buffing it out some with a polishing compound like white diamond before waxing.

mvmadore · Nov 26, 2015

Looks like a very nice piece of briar. If I owned it I would sand it some more trying to bring out more of the grain contrast. I'd sand up the scale up to 2000 grit then give it a light finish with a wax, polishing compound, etc. and then let it patina as I smoked and fondled it.

weezell · Nov 26, 2015

but my unfinished pipes get nose oiled.

Use that technique on all my unfinished Savs with GREAT results! Good call Embers...

cortezattic · Nov 26, 2015

serendipity: ser·en·dip·i·ty (serənˈdipədē)

noun: the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way.
Heck, I would rub it out again with iso to remove even more of the dark color, and then wax it with carnauba.

I think you'll find that it smokes even better than before!

randelli · Nov 27, 2015

Nose oil? Do you sneeze and rub it in?

didimauw · Nov 27, 2015

I actually like it better now than what it looked like before. I say leave it like it is

michaelmirza · Nov 27, 2015

I actually like it better now than what it looked like before. I say leave it like it is

I agree!

metalheadycigarguy · Nov 27, 2015

I say put some wax on it and polish it up like a few others have said. Pop that grain out and enjoy.

Well POOP, Ruined My Pipe, Sorta

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