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  1. Pyrodoc

    Glycerine and Vulcanite?

    Coconut oil is technically a semi-solid wax, can be food grade, is easy to work with and confers superior wood finish and protection. The only caveat is wood color change with first use, but it is usually a handsome result on most briars. Works well on pipes. Jojoba oil is another fine choice...
  2. Pyrodoc

    Show Off Your Danes

    I was very stoked to recently score this Sven-Lar, Michael Kabik “Sculpture.” It needs a little restoration, but I don’t think I could ever part with this. Not everybody’s cup of tea, though so representative of both his pipe work and subsequent wood sculpting.
  3. Pyrodoc

    Glycerine and Vulcanite?

    I would avoid all non-drying oils on vulcanite. Water, sulfur and UV light all hasten its degradation.
  4. Pyrodoc

    New Guy from Texas

    Hi John!! I’m over here in Arlington.
  5. Pyrodoc

    How do I Clean A Blasted Natural Finish?

    What concentration or product would you recommend? I’d like to try it. Certainly makes sense as a wood cleaning acid and should be safer than alcohols for use on varnishes.
  6. Pyrodoc

    How do I Clean A Blasted Natural Finish?

    Rusticated pipes can be a challenge to clean for sure! Here’s my two cents. I would start with Dawn Soap, hot water and either a melamine sponge or light synthetic pad. That’ll knock off the surface grime to see where you’re starting. Dry. Next, 190 Grain with a toothbrush. You will see that...
  7. Pyrodoc

    Who do You Send Your Pipes for Professional Cleaning?

    I’d be happy to take a look at your collection and discuss what need. MyPipeGuy@yahoo.com
  8. Pyrodoc

    I Need To Vent

    I’m a physician in a surgical specialty and I know what you are feeling. The very fact you still ‘feel’ is good news. I know some that don’t. Remember that the patient is ultimately the one with the dilemma, we do our very best in knowledge, training, skill and effort to help heal and make a...
  9. Pyrodoc

    Show Your Best Unknown Maker Pipes

    This sharp pipe came with an older estate lot, some pre & circa WW2. Stamped, ‘Crowned Sovereign’ and ‘Italy.’ I can’t find a reference for it, though it calls ‘1940s Rossi’ to me, they were traditionally stamped that. A restoration in process, the pyrography on this briar is cool. Any reference...
  10. Pyrodoc

    Who's Going to the Muletown Pipe Show in TN, in March?

    Any reason? I haven’t been, so any input would be appreciated.
  11. Pyrodoc

    Who's Going to the Muletown Pipe Show in TN, in March?

    I have never been to the TN show, but have my tickets & hotel ressies!! Has anyone been there or planning to go? Looks like a great day from their website!!
  12. Pyrodoc

    In Praise of Obsidian Oil

    Thanks OverMountain! My bio is odd. By profession, I am a physician practicing in a surgical specialty. By trade, I restore pipes and have put decades in the display fireworks industry. Once upon a time, I held a blasters license as well. A friend mine who has carved hundreds of pipes is a PhD...
  13. Pyrodoc

    In Praise of Obsidian Oil

    As many do!! I buy food grade mineral oil by the gallon. I always use microfiber cloths, also, for any pipe polish application!! MO is dirt cheap and I use it to protect knife blades and softer wood cutting boards. It comes no where near my pipes, especially vulcanite stems. It looks shiny on...
  14. Pyrodoc

    In Praise of Obsidian Oil

    Unlike beeswax, which begins to discolor at 145°F, Jojoba oil can be heated to 370°F for 96 hours without exhibiting degradation in general composition and carbon chain length. So stable for use with working temps on exterior briar and vulcanite stems. It is also considered a drying oil with...
  15. Pyrodoc

    Show Your Best Unknown Maker Pipes

    I love it bobomatic!! In all the years and all the pipes I have smoked, the stamp on the shank never had any effect on ‘the smoke’ for any one of them. 😉😁
  16. Pyrodoc

    Show Your Best Unknown Maker Pipes

    Thank you sir!! You are a gentlemen & scholar.
  17. Pyrodoc

    Show Your Best Unknown Maker Pipes

    I started to clean up this cool little Bulldog made in France. It’s stamped Cordon Rouge with a hallmark that I’m just not finding in my references. Any assistance on the maker and era would be appreciated!
  18. Pyrodoc

    Salt and ̶a̶l̶c̶o̶h̶o̶l̶ benzine?

    So similar to organic distillations & extractions?
  19. Pyrodoc

    Salt and ̶a̶l̶c̶o̶h̶o̶l̶ benzine?

    Agreed, and I use more Dawn detergent in hot water than 190 grain for sure. As a restorer, especially with estate pipes, sanitization is pretty important. Soap & water just won’t do for ‘Food Safe’ transfer on those pieces. My pipes, I sip the bourbon and let my pipe bowl do the smoking!! 😆🤣😆...
  20. Pyrodoc

    In Praise of Obsidian Oil

    While I certainly do not want to knock ‘Obsidian Oil,’ it is a frequently used product that keeps many vulcanite stems shiny!! What more could you want? Of course, ‘Obsidian Oil’ is a proprietary recipe and I have no knowledge as to what it contains. I do know it is non-drying and probably...