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So I've been experimenting with this concept for a little over a year now on my Brigham Country Club and it has produced some pretty neat results. I'll touch on that in a minute. But first, a little background as to what started this experiment. When I first saw this pipe I was very hesitant to buy it because of its "vulnerability" with it being a natural pipe. However, I could not get over how beautiful the briar was in its natural state. Though I had heard of and seen pictures of natural pipes, I had never really seen one in person. It was just a great looking pipe. I asked around the shop to see if any of the local regulars had any experience with natural pipes and I remember one gentleman just so happened to have a natural Savinelli. Though he did not have it on hand, he talked of how much he enjoyed his pipe and how he felt like it had become a part of him over the years watching it change. I asked him about how long it took to really notice and he said roughly 3 years or so to really notice the color of the pipe darken. Even more so on the spots where his hands touched the briar the most. Listening to this man talk about how close he had gotten to this particular pipe got me thinking. Maybe I should get one, and if I did could I get my pipe to become darker even faster? I was still on the edge because of the humid climate. The vulnerability thing was still a big concern to me.
Fast forward to today, I've noticed that my pipe has darkened to a beautiful reddish brown. Also, its glossier in some spots more than others. Mostly where my fingers come into contact with it the most. We all know this happens, but how can you speed up the process? That was my concern. Many smokes later, here is what I've found. The whole process of darkening and protecting your pipe can be expedited with a simple swipe of the thumb...across your forehead
Every day I would pick up my pipe and even if I wasn't smoking it, I would swipe my thumb across my forehead to collect some of the oil (sebum), and gently rub it onto my pipe. It just made sense to me... sebum protects your face and acts as a natural water repellent. I'm a freaking New Englander on the coast of Virginia...I have plenty of this crap! Why not put it on my pipe? Its bound to happen anyways. Here are a few pictures of the progress that has been made thus far.
Before
After:
You can see how there are some lighter spots where I do not apply oil as often because I still want to maintain the contrast between where I do and don't place my fingers on the pipe.
Thanks for reading! Hopefully this inspired some of you who don't already own one, to go out and get a natural pipe. Its actually a lot of fun watching it change over time. And now you've got yourself a little tip to help speed that up and make that grain really POP!
Fast forward to today, I've noticed that my pipe has darkened to a beautiful reddish brown. Also, its glossier in some spots more than others. Mostly where my fingers come into contact with it the most. We all know this happens, but how can you speed up the process? That was my concern. Many smokes later, here is what I've found. The whole process of darkening and protecting your pipe can be expedited with a simple swipe of the thumb...across your forehead
Every day I would pick up my pipe and even if I wasn't smoking it, I would swipe my thumb across my forehead to collect some of the oil (sebum), and gently rub it onto my pipe. It just made sense to me... sebum protects your face and acts as a natural water repellent. I'm a freaking New Englander on the coast of Virginia...I have plenty of this crap! Why not put it on my pipe? Its bound to happen anyways. Here are a few pictures of the progress that has been made thus far.Before
After:
You can see how there are some lighter spots where I do not apply oil as often because I still want to maintain the contrast between where I do and don't place my fingers on the pipe.
Thanks for reading! Hopefully this inspired some of you who don't already own one, to go out and get a natural pipe. Its actually a lot of fun watching it change over time. And now you've got yourself a little tip to help speed that up and make that grain really POP!
