1952-55 Kaywoodie "All Briar" Bulldog Resto Project (Ahi Ka-Humblepipe Collab)

[Humblepipe]

Here's another fun project Ahi Ka and I joined forces on. This is a Meerschaum-Lined "All Briar" (stem and stummel made of briar) Kaywoodie Bulldog - 12B. The stinger is stamped "Drinkless". I think this one is fairly rare. Pipehil indicates the All Briar line was made for a limited time between 1952-1955. This one was covered in at least two coats of varnish when she arrived. I removed the varnish as carefully as I could. Let's just say the "F bomb" was dropped a few times during the process. There is no finish on the pipe now... not even any wax. There is no stain either. This (see "after" photos) is the natural naked briar look.

Before:

 

[georged]

 

[Humblepipe]

After:

 

[Ahi Ka]

 

[OzPiper]

Very nice job

 

[didimauw]

Nice work!!! How'd you get the tooth marks out of the briar?

 

[Humblepipe]

Nice work!!! How'd you get the tooth marks out of the briar?

A combination of steam and a minor bit of sanding (400 grit).

 

[georged]

There is no finish on the pipe now... not even any wax. There is no stain either.

The idea is romantic (so to speak), but the reality isn't.

Truly raw briar takes on a grubby gray look over time from smoking and handling.

Some sort of sealer---even just a bit of wax---will keep grime, smoke micro-particles, skin oil, moisture, etc. from accumulating and staining the surface of the wood.

 

[mikethompson]

Nice work!!! How'd you get the tooth marks out of the briar?

This is what I want to know as well, that and how @Ahi Ka had any time left for this with his prolific posting in the Secret Santa thread.

 

[Humblepipe]

The idea is romantic (so to speak), but the reality isn't.

Truly raw briar takes on a grubby gray look over time from smoking and handling.

Some sort of sealer---even just a bit of wax---will keep grime, smoke micro-particles, skin oil, moisture, etc. from accumulating and staining the surface of the wood.

I did put the pipe on the buffer briefly... That would seal the pours up, I think.

 

[Ahi Ka]

This is what I want to know as well, that and how @Ahi Ka had any time left for this with his prolific posting in the Secret Santa thread.

Oh that’s easy. See most of you have a life. I don’t.

 

[TheIronMonkey]

Are you listing that soon? I’d be interested in getting it.

 

[Humblepipe]

Are you listing that soon? I’d be interested in getting it.

Within the next 3 weeks or so....

 

[Humblepipe]

The idea is romantic (so to speak), but the reality isn't.

Truly raw briar takes on a grubby gray look over time from smoking and handling.

Some sort of sealer---even just a bit of wax---will keep grime, smoke micro-particles, skin oil, moisture, etc. from accumulating and staining the surface of the wood.

Of course this is correct! Especially considering the all briar stem. This is happening today. I can still maintain the matte finish I like to maintain. Thanks, George.

 

[TheIronMonkey]

Is it at all possible or likely the "varnish," or high gloss finish was original to this pipe?

 

[lukasstrifeson]

Surely there's still a stain on that pipe...

 

[Humblepipe]

Surely there's still a stain on that pipe...

Yep... just more subtle in appearance after all those years and the shellack removal, of course - LOL.

 

[Humblepipe]

Is it at all possible or likely the "varnish," or high gloss finish was original to this pipe?

I have handled somewhere around 5-6 of these over the years and this is the first one I have seen coated in varnish.

 

[lukasstrifeson]

Yep... just more subtle in appearance after all those years and the shellack removal, of course - LOL.

I thought so, but you can see why I was confused.

Here's another fun project Ahi Ka and I joined forces on. This is a Meerschaum-Lined "All Briar" (stem and stummel made of briar) Kaywoodie Bulldog - 12B. The stinger is stamped "Drinkless". I think this one is fairly rare. Pipehil indicates the All Briar line was made for a limited time between 1952-1955. This one was covered in at least two coats of varnish when she arrived. I removed the varnish as carefully as I could. Let's just say the "F bomb" was dropped a few times during the process. There is no finish on the pipe now... not even any wax. There is no stain either. This (see "after" photos) is the natural naked briar look.

 

[Humblepipe]

I thought so, but you can see why I was confused.

You got me. Guilty as charged. I will try to do better next time around.