Estate Pipes, Cleaning and Maintaining a Pipe and Questions

[Rigidman]

Thought maybe this post would get moved. I wasn't sure which section to post it under. Sorry.

Thanks for all the advice. Mainly I'm just going to get what I want. Fix them up. If I decide its not for me then I'll probably sell it. I've been looking at some pipe makers and found some I really like. Thought I'd try to get enough money together to buy one.

Been looking at thrift stores, yard sales, and garage sales to find a cabinet I can make into a pipe cabinet. Saw a cabinet online but its waaaay out of my price range. Figured I could modify tone of those tall jewelry boxes or something else.

Thanks for all your advice and time.

 

[Rigidman]

All that was used here were alcohol, a Case knife, pipe cleaners, a lighter, a wet paper towel, and toothpaste.

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All that was used here were alcohol, a Case knife, pipe cleaners, a lighter, a wet paper towel, and toothpaste.

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View attachment 47960

Did you use just toothpaste on the stems as well? Do you think baking soda will work? Just wondering because baking soda can be made into a thick or thin paste.

 

[Waning Embers]

Did you use just toothpaste on the stems as well?

Just to polish, not for oxidation removal. I removed the oxidation with a lighter and a wet paper towel. I thumb buffed it with toothpaste to a mirror finish.

Do you think baking soda will work?

Baking soda leaves fine lines.

 

[pappymac]

I had one crack after 3 pipe bulls. I guess that has slot to do with quality and the pipe makers knowledge and scruples.

I can see that happening. There are a lot of pipe carvers that have popped on the scene from Eastern European countries and China that do less than good work. I've seen some new, unsmoked pear root pipes at flea markets selling for about $15 more than online (ebay and Etsay) prices and some of them have had cracks in the bowl.

There is a reason why most of them are not sold by online pipe retailers.

 

[Rigidman]

I have a question, this may have been asked but, I see meershaums on eBay and other sites for $15-$30+ but online, at reputable sellers, I see them for anywhere from $100-$300+ so how can it be so cheap?

I know the minis are less expensive but I'm talking about full size. Some are just simple pipe shaped. Others are carved. How can this be?

 

[BROBS]

I have a question, this may have been asked but, I see meershaums on eBay and other sites for $15-$30+ but online, at reputable sellers, I see them for anywhere from $100-$300+ so how can it be so cheap?

I know the minis are less expensive but I'm talking about full size. Some are just simple pipe shaped. Others are carved. How can this be?

You can find Unsmoked meers on eBay from $10-1000.

 

[mso489]

And remember, if you keep your new pipes long enough, they become "estate" pipes and respond well to the same restoration.

 

[Rigidman]

Ok so I've spent enough where my better half will only be slightly perturbed. I'll get them up as soon as they all arrive. I hope. Putting pictures on forums isn't the easiest sometimes.

 

[Rigidman]

You can find Unsmoked meers on eBay from $10-1000.

But why are the prices so different for a similar pipe? Is it the maker or quality?

 

[sablebrush52]

But why are the prices so different for a similar pipe? Is it the maker or quality?

It's a bit of both. Some makers reputations for quality result in a higher sales price. With eBay, a lot depends on the quality of the presentation. Crappy photography generally results in crappy prices.
Reborn pipes is an invaluable resource, and if you want to know how to do restoration at the top end of the spectrum, look at George Dibos' videos on youtube.

 

[BROBS]

But why are the prices so different for a similar pipe? Is it the maker or quality?

Well if its a new pipe and really cheap it’s most likely pressed Meer and not worth a shit. The cheap unsmoked estates are because people don’t know what they have and take shitty pictures. You can score a 1970s block meer for like $25 because half the sellers got it from their grandpas basement and have no idea what it is.

 

[Waning Embers]

And remember, if you keep your new pipes long enough, they become "estate" pipes and respond well to the same restoration.

They become estate pipes the minute they are purchased from a dealer and hit the secondary market, smoked or not.

 

[Waning Embers]

But why are the prices so different for a similar pipe? Is it the maker or quality?

The pipe market is just funny that way. This Emin Brothers meer was $85 unsmoked as an estate, but new it would have sold for $250+

 

[Rigidman]

I read the old posts about reamers. I have a Butner vintage "estate" reamer. Was on eBay for $4 and its like new. Been looking at the senior reamers. Which brand is the best? Like most things the Chinese copy everything. Even when its not a copy its made in China but usually with better QC. If it looks like a senior, they call it a senior.

I've also been watching YouTube videos about cleaning estate pipes. I've seen the salt treatment and the alcohol. Do they do the same thing? If not which do you use for what? I'm guessing the alcohol sanitizes the pipe. Not sure what the salt does. Both use alcohol so I guess that's why I'm confused.

Also while searching eBay to build my collection, I've noticed some of the rims are beat to death. Now to me my pipes are a tool for a job. Every mechanic knows you take care of your tools and they take care of you. So why would someone feel the need to beat the snot out of a pipe? That'll teach it not to make my tabaccy taste bad!! So sad, what did that poor pipe ever do to be abused in such a manner?

At any rate,, if its repairable, and if you get a deal, then the next person that restores it, has a gem in their collection. I've seen big chips missing out of the rim or a 1/4-1/2 the rim is missing. Or just beat into submission. I use my tamper, poker, and spoon to remove the tobacco and knock it against my hand. To me it was common sense.

Thanks for stopping by. Look forward to the great advice y'all give.

 

[Rigidman]

The pipe market is just funny that way. This Emin Brothers meer was $85 unsmoked as an estate, but new it would have sold for $250+

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Is that your pipe? I've been thinking of getting a meer or 2. Just not sure what's what. Or what to look for.

 

[Rigidman]

Just found a third reamer, its a Decatur. Comes with 4 sizes. My understanding is the senior is adjustable from .55-.65. So I would think the senior is more versatile. Not sure if the Decatur was available when the other post was active. Didn't see any mention of it.

They must have changed the style of the Butner reamers, mine looks nothing like the new ones and mine looks sturdier.

Thanks for stopping by.

 

[Waning Embers]

Is that your pipe?

Sure is.?

 

[Waning Embers]

Been looking at the senior reamers. Which brand is the best?

You'll get more mileage with sandpaper wrapped around your finger. Less likely to damage a chamber that way.

I've seen the salt treatment and the alcohol. Do they do the same thing?

Filling the chamber with salt provides a medium for alcohol to evaporate from. Alcohol is dripped into the salt and as it evaporates, it draws impurities from the pipe chamber. Never do this to a meerschaum, and cotton balls can be used instead of salt.

I've noticed some of the rims are beat to death. Now to me my pipes are a tool for a job. Every mechanic knows you take care of your tools and they take care of you. So why would someone feel the need to beat the snot out of a pipe?

Some damage may be from being dropped or left in a drawer. Some may simply be from rough handling.

 

[craig61a]

You'll get more mileage with sandpaper wrapped around your finger. Less likely to damage a chamber that way.

^^^ 1+. FWIW, there are better reamers on the market than what you’ve mentioned. Problem is though, with any reamer, they don’t self align. Many a chamber has been dicked up by reckless teaming.

 

[Rigidman]

^^^ 1+. FWIW, there are better reamers on the market than what you’ve mentioned. Problem is though, with any reamer, they don’t self align. Many a chamber has been dicked up by reckless teaming.

I got a suggestion to just use a dowel rod and sand paper. That sounds simple to me. No expensive tools to buy that may or may not work. I've seen several types of vintage reamers st eBay. At online shops I've only seen the ones I've mentioned. I could be looking at the wrong websites.