That's a gem!
The club member that talked alot was quite knowledgeable. Especially in 1995. But I am a bit perplexed on why, if he had a buffing wheel setup, he'd need to soak his oxidized stems in bleach. I am guessing it's because he felt the bleach penetrated it more so it stayed blacker longer? We are talking vulcanite so there is a big difference from today's German ebonite.