Couple of Pipes Come Home

[mikethompson]

Probably a few years ago, I 'restored' and cleaned up my first project pipe. It was nothing special, a 1950s Grabow Golden Duke. I learned a lot about cleaning rims and cleaning stems.

I also cleaned up a nice ripple grain pipe stamped "The Tinder Box". Again, this was a learning opportunity.

Both pipes were then gifted to forum member @scloyd . He recently decided to downsize his collection, so they were gifted back.

I look at the Grabow now and see things I would do differently. I'm glad to see that, as it shows progression in what I can do. I'm not quite at @ssjones levels yet though!

Here are the pipes as they have been returned to me. I might try changing up the stain on them.

 

[scloyd]

When I originally received them from Mike (09/2019). I think Mike did a great job.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Yes he did. Very nice job.

 

[shanez]

I think the current stain on the Grabow does a nice job of providing contrast in the grain. Personally, I'd leave the stain alone and just make the pipe as shiny as possible.

 

[shanez]

The before pic is rather fetching.

 

[Ahi Ka]

The before pic is rather fetching.

I couldn’t pass over the irony of this statement on a restoration thread. Once again, good stuff magic Mike!

 

[mortonbriar]

It is fun to think those pipes may have travelled more than their original owners...

 

[pruss]

Pretty nice when a couple kids come home after a long trip abroad.

Thanks for sharing, Mike.

— PRuss

 

[mikethompson]

The before pic is rather fetching.

There is no before pic, just bad lighting.

Personally, I'd leave the stain alone and just make the pipe as shiny as possible

There is a bit of a varnish-type layer on it. Maybe I will remove that and buff it out with wax.