White/grayish residue inside bowl of “new” pipe?

P

piperoni

Lurker

Aug 17, 2019

3

0

• Aug 18, 2019

• #1

Hi everyone,

New user here asking for some veteran advice.
I recently purchased a very nice Pierre Morel billiard from an online tobacconist (European); the pipe wasn’t cheap, and was sold as “new”.
Anyway, upon reception, I noticed that the inside of the bowl was afflicted with a grayish/white residue, which caught me completely by surprise. Whatever it is, it looks pretty disgusting.

Now, the online shop claims that everything is fine, that this isn’t mold, but rather the specific artisanal bowl coating that the carver used… but honestly this sounds a bit like BS to me; for what it’s worth, I’ve never experienced this type of residue with any other coated pipe before, including another Morel purchased directly from the man himself.
In any case, I’d love to hear your thoughts and impressions on the matter. Any input would be appreciated.

Thank you gentlemen!

 

dmcmtk

Lifer

Aug 23, 2013

3,672

1,685

• Aug 18, 2019

• #2

Does it smell?

 

madox07

Lifer

Dec 12, 2016

1,823

1,690

• Aug 18, 2019

• #3

Now, the online shop claims that everything is fine, that this isn’t mold, but rather the specific artisanal bowl coating that the carver used…
My thoughts exactly ... that's they way the inside of a bowl should look after lighting it for the first time. For some reason the ash and coating makes that grayish color. They use this coating sort of like an artificial cake on new pipes, I think you are in good shape.

 

burleyboy

Part of the Furniture Now

Jul 30, 2019

862

4,473

Europe

• Aug 18, 2019

• #4

I think, the only way to certainty is contacting the artist himself. He has a contact form on his website, so I'm sure, he will answer your question...

 

mikefu

Lifer

Mar 28, 2018

1,976

10,506

Green Bay

• Aug 18, 2019

• #5

It looks like several of my new pipes with bowl coating looked. Perhaps it's yogurt and activated charcoal mix, but whatever it is, it looks different than some, but the same as other coatings.

 

P

piperoni

Lurker

Aug 17, 2019

3

0

• Aug 18, 2019

• #6

Thanks guys, I appreciate the different opinions.
I should’ve mentioned that the pipe is still supposedly unsmoked, so whatever that is, it’s not ash. It literally arrived looking like this.
The yoghurt/ egg white hypothesis had also crossed my mind (ie perhaps it’s a pipe that sat there unsold for some time.), but living in FL, I’m not sure about having something like this sitting there (it doesn't quite reek just yet, but any day now :D ).
Anyway, it's all strange and new to me. Mike, you said you had had other new pipes arriving looking like this?

 

mikefu

Lifer

Mar 28, 2018

1,976

10,506

Green Bay

• Aug 18, 2019

• #7

Yeah, a Blakemar and a Nording for sure, and I know a couple others, but I can’t remember for sure which manufacturers. I think one of my BriarWorks’ looked like that too.

 

B

B18

Starting to Get Obsessed

Apr 27, 2015

261

150

• Aug 18, 2019

• #8

It's fine to smoke, just some residue from the binding agent in of the carbon coating. I had several factory pipes with such a white residue (except not to that extent)

 

mso489

Lifer

Feb 21, 2013

41,210

60,459

• Aug 18, 2019

• #9

I sure would ask the same questions, but it sounds like others have seen similar coloration on bowl coatings on new pipes. It does not have a mold or mildew odor. It looks superficial to me, not like part of the dark coating itself. If it is part of the coating process, it should disappear after a bowl or two. With the reassurances on this thread, I think I'd take my chances. However, if you just don't like it, since the pipe is unsmoked, perhaps you could make a deal on a swap or a refund. The swap is more likely. If you really like the pipe otherwise -- if I were you -- I'd smoke it and forget about it..

 

P

panamacharlie

Starting to Get Obsessed

Jun 13, 2016

228

27

• Aug 19, 2019

• #10

Will it wipe out with a paper towel? How about with some fine sandpaper?

 

justsomedude

Lurker

Jul 31, 2019

16

0

Denver, CO

• Aug 19, 2019

• #11

Send it to me... I’ll give it a thorough inspection. Put a few bowls through it, and report back.

 

P

piperoni

Lurker

Aug 17, 2019

3

0

• Sep 2, 2019

• #12

Just a brief update to close the topic:

I did eventually get in touch with P. Morel directly (a very sweet person btw). Long story short, he was happy to assuage my fears and confirm what many of you had suspected: the pipe is indeed perfectly safe to smoke, with the bowl’s appearance simply being a result of the coating used (coating which incidentally is flavorless).

So, all’s well that ends well; I’m keeping this beauty! ::
Thanks again for all your input, gentlemen; much appreciated.

Now … *lights up* …on with the hurricane preparations :D

 

A

alexj52

Starting to Get Obsessed

Sep 26, 2018

177

21

• Sep 2, 2019

• #13

Congratulations! Now all you have to do is enjoy... btw I had a new old stock James Upshall that had a less gray but quite similar pre carbonization but mine smoked fine as well

 

mso489

Lifer

Feb 21, 2013

41,210

60,459

• Sep 2, 2019

• #14

piper', I think most pipe people are sensitive to details. It sort of comes with the territory. In this case, the detail was nothing to be concerned about. Enjoy that pipe.

 

craiginthecorn

Lifer

May 8, 2017

1,610

1,676

Sugar Grove, IL, USA

• Sep 3, 2019

• #15

I'm not buying that it's part of the bowl coating. My guess is buffing compound. New pipes are often buffed to keep them looking new to prospective buyers.