Which Reamer Would You Recommend?

withnail · Dec 3, 2011

There seem to be so many different kinds of pipe reamer on the market that the choice is confusing. Prices range from a couple of pounds to over £100. I currently use a cheap one as pictured in this kit (sorry not a great pic) at the top left.
Which reamer would you recommend?

jship079 · Dec 3, 2011

the senior reamer

philobeddoe · Dec 3, 2011

I have a senior and a buttner, I use both but if I were to buy only one it would be the senior.

sincityjeff · Dec 3, 2011

I have been using the castleford reamer since i started smoking pipes. It has four sizes for all bowls. Never had a problem with it.

tobakenist · Dec 3, 2011

I have a collection but my Kleen Ream of which the Senior is taken from gets used the most but on some of my freehands I have to sort out a reamer that fits.

clanobucklin · Dec 3, 2011

Senior Reamer - contact Jack at Sterling Tobacco - I think he offers them the cheapest - I got my first one at a pipe store in Stockton for $49 back in 1994 - I got the same reamer from Jack for under $20 bucks!!!

hobie1dog · Dec 3, 2011

This has sexual overtones 8O

ejames · Dec 3, 2011

I have a Kleen-ream which is identical to the Senior but since getting a Castleford about the only thing I use the Kleen-Ream for is when I need an extra hand when working on a pipe. Put it in the bowl,crank it up snug and put the reamer in my vise.

philip · Dec 3, 2011

The first, and pretty much only, thing that you are going to need is a pipe reamer. There are a few different kinds of pipe reamers, but the two most popular ones are The Senior Reamer and The British Buttner. The Senior Reamer is larger and easier to use than the British Buttner. I would suggest getting both types of them if you can. The reason why I suggest getting both is that there are mainly two different shapes of tobacco chambers.

This is from Bob Tate's article.

I found it helpful.

withnail · Dec 4, 2011

Thank you for all the answers. I now know that the kind I currently use is called The British Buttner! I guess I will add a Senior Reamer to my collection in the New Year.
Cheers for the help :clap:

pipeinhand · Dec 4, 2011

I have a Senior, never wanted for anything else.

mp31guitar · Dec 4, 2011

Has anyone found that the senior reamer doesn't ream all the way down to the bottom of the bowl? Am I doing something wrong? I had to finish up with a butner reamer cause the senior left a carbon wall at the bottom.

igloo · Dec 4, 2011

A good pocket Knife with a sheep foots blade seems to work better than a Senior reamer . I got mine at a Salvation Army store for .50cents . Just keep looking in thrift stores and you will be rewarded . One would have to be ........ in the head to buy one new . Your right Hobie this has sexual overtones and all the talk of reaming scares me .I hope my daughter is a safe distance away while I type this . :crazy:

ssjones · Dec 5, 2011

I have the Castleford set, but sometimes pipe bowls fall between the four size options. I use an old Swiss army knife in those cases, the blade is shaped perfectly for a pipe chamber. But, I should probably pick up a Senior reamer as well. Funny, I typically only ream estate pipes I'm refurbishing and rarely ream my own smokers. I do the paper-towel bowl wipe after each smoke and I guess that keeps the cake minimal.

ssjones · Dec 5, 2011

I just ordered a Senior reamer via Amazon for $19 delivered. I checked the Sterling page, but all I saw was tobacco blends, no tools/accessories.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00153SQ70/ref=ox_ya_os_product

nsfisher · Dec 5, 2011

mini diamond edge pocket knife bought in 1973 works best for me

ejames · Dec 5, 2011

Ha

s anyone found that the senior reamer doesn't ream all the way down to the bottom of the bowl? Am I doing something wrong? I had to finish up with a butner reamer cause the senior left a carbon wall at the bottom.

That's one reason I prefer the Castleford. I only use my Kleen Ream on some tapered bowls.

hauntedmyst · Dec 5, 2011

Asking which reamer do I need is like asking which pipe do I need? The answer is more than one for the reasons stated here already, not every reamer correctly reams every pipe.
I'd recommend starting out with the British Butner

and this one

matchstickman · Dec 5, 2011

This has sexual overtones

Hobie, you kill me some days :rofl:

teamhavoc28 · Dec 16, 2011

Just bought a castleford and senior for around 30 shipped. I'd recommend using castleford if you have ambulatory issues with your hands (like I do).

Which Reamer Would You Recommend?

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