Cleaning up estates

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Sobrbiker

Lifer
Jan 7, 2023
6,763
92,265
Casa Grande, AZ
Look up restoring tobacco pipes on YouTube. You'll find everything from light cleaning to full rebuilds.
…. and quick and easy ways to destroy your pipe. Viewer beware.

Reborn Pipes is a great asset to understand the process of bringing oldies back to life, and to understand the vast scope and intricacies of such a seemingly (yet deceptively) simple concept is best illustrated perusing the amazing work of @georged at his channel: High Grade Pipe Repair and Restoration

Good luck, and as I always caution folks: practice on pipes you can live without first. I, as many others, have screwed up and tried to learn on a pipe that meant something or was not replaceable.
 
Last edited:
Dec 18, 2025
23
33
Washington state
…. and quick and easy ways to destroy your pipe. Viewer beware.

Reborn Pipes is a great asset to understand the process of bringing oldies back to life, and to understand the vast scope and intricacies of such a seemingly (yet deceptively) simple concept is best illustrated perusing the amazing work of @georged’s channel: High Grade Pipe Repair and Restoration

Good luck, and as I always caution folks: practice on pipes you can live without first. I, as many others, have screwed up and tried to learn on a pipe that meant something or was not replaceable.
I appreciate the advice, looks like I have some homework. Right now I’m just looking to clean them up so they’re smokable but I am also interested in maybe trying out some restoration as I enjoy tinkering and amateur woodworking.
 
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Sobrbiker

Lifer
Jan 7, 2023
6,763
92,265
Casa Grande, AZ
I appreciate the advice, looks like I have some homework. Right now I’m just looking to clean them up so they’re smokable but I am also interested in maybe trying out some restoration as I enjoy tinkering and amateur woodworking.
Cleaning and reaming can usually get them sanitary and smokable, then you can jump as deep into the rabbit hole as you desire.
Enjoy!
 

OzPiper

Lifer
Nov 30, 2020
8,156
47,190
73
Sydney, Australia
I appreciate the advice, looks like I have some homework. Right now I’m just looking to clean them up so they’re smokable but I am also interested in maybe trying out some restoration as I enjoy tinkering and amateur woodworking.
Just remember that most of the funk is in the shank and mortise.

Most of my pipes are estates.
I spend more time cleaning out the shank, mortise and stem than I do on the inside of the chamber and the outside of the stummel
 
Dec 18, 2025
23
33
Washington state
Maybe a photo. Every estate is in a different state of repair. Its hard to answer this without writing an exhaustive essay. It can range from very simple to very complex. Additionally, depending on the goal you will get different answers.
Here are some photos from the seller, another forum member.
 

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Byrd

Might Stick Around
Sep 6, 2025
65
274
Lawrence, KS
Nice pipes! I bet they won't need much. Look at The Southland Piper on YouTube. Watch a few of his videos to get a visual of what you're doing and look up Reborn Pipes on the net. He gives a great amount of details in cleaning and repairs.
Have fun. It's a great part of the hobby.
 
Dec 18, 2025
23
33
Washington state
Nice pipes! I bet they won't need much. Look at The Southland Piper on YouTube. Watch a few of his videos to get a visual of what you're doing and look up Reborn Pipes on the net. He gives a great amount of details in cleaning and repairs.
Have fun. It's a great part of the hobby.
I’ll make sure to check them out thank you!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Byrd
Dec 10, 2013
2,809
3,623
Nijmegen, the Netherlands
I appreciate the advice, looks like I have some homework. Right now I’m just looking to clean them up so they’re smokable but I am also interested in maybe trying out some restoration as I enjoy tinkering and amateur woodworking.
Steve from Rebornpipes does a wonderful job on restoring.
I purchased some pipes from him and what struck me most is his approach.
He brings the ones under his care back to life without overdoing it.
My methods in some respects differ to his, but the ones I purchased from his pipe store were always
top notch. I signed up for his newletter from the start and it is always such a pleasure to read and learn.
Just do not overdo it and have tons of fun; these are neat pipes .