I don't have any cube cut tobacco, but I would agree. I did do some reading on fold and stuff as I have a lot of flake tobacco. I'm smoking some Port Guardian fold'n'stuff style in my Peterson system pipe currently. And it's going quite well. I'm starting to lean, after much thought, into keeping this pipe and giving it a shot.
A Little Disappointed in Recent Brulor Purchase
- Thread starter lithicus
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I want to clarify one comment I made earlier in this thread so as to not spread misinformation. The stinger on this pipe was indeed removable. Mine was a little stuck. But the twisted stinger did indeed pull out from the metal tube.
Also... I have no idea what this little insert is in the shank. But, perhaps, it is cork? Or, even if it is wood and not cork, perhaps the purpose of this is the same either way? To allow the stem to be removed while the pipe is still warm?
Also... I have no idea what this little insert is in the shank. But, perhaps, it is cork? Or, even if it is wood and not cork, perhaps the purpose of this is the same either way? To allow the stem to be removed while the pipe is still warm?
I did a little more research and it does indeed seem that there is cork in the shank. This doesn't seem terribly uncommon, although I'm not sure it is a regular occurrence.
I'm also not sure if a mod can change the title of this to something like "My New Brulor Billard" or something, but I pulled the trigger today and smoked out of it. I feel the "disappointed" title is misleading now and sort of bad press.
I thought the fold and stuff advice was well thought out. I also thought using a qtip to clean it after smoking was sound. So, after smoking a few bowls in my regular pipes fold'n'stuff style and having success, I tried the same thing with this pipe.
Overall, I was quite happy with the smoke. Especially given it has not yet broken in. The pipe stayed cool until I got to the bottom. The heel/shank started warming up. Not so hot I couldn't hold it, but given this was the first smoke I gave it a few minutes break to cool. This will get better with time as cake starts to form. There was no moisture left in the pipe when I had finished. The horn stem was more round than I realized, but still clenched well and had a nice soft feel it. Just a little softer than vulcanite I'd say.
My only complaint is, somewhat like I expected, tobacco/ash getting into the large draft hole. I tend to tamp at an angle and toward the draft hole when reaching the bottom of my pipes. When I used a qtip to clean this pipe out, a "plug of ash" made its way in there. Never got a mouthful of ash though, despite me taking the stinger off. So, that's a positive. I think I'll have to find a new way to tamp with this pipe while still being able to smoke it all the way to the bottom. But, otherwise, I think this will be a fine smoker moving forward.
I'm also not sure if a mod can change the title of this to something like "My New Brulor Billard" or something, but I pulled the trigger today and smoked out of it. I feel the "disappointed" title is misleading now and sort of bad press.
I thought the fold and stuff advice was well thought out. I also thought using a qtip to clean it after smoking was sound. So, after smoking a few bowls in my regular pipes fold'n'stuff style and having success, I tried the same thing with this pipe.
Overall, I was quite happy with the smoke. Especially given it has not yet broken in. The pipe stayed cool until I got to the bottom. The heel/shank started warming up. Not so hot I couldn't hold it, but given this was the first smoke I gave it a few minutes break to cool. This will get better with time as cake starts to form. There was no moisture left in the pipe when I had finished. The horn stem was more round than I realized, but still clenched well and had a nice soft feel it. Just a little softer than vulcanite I'd say.
My only complaint is, somewhat like I expected, tobacco/ash getting into the large draft hole. I tend to tamp at an angle and toward the draft hole when reaching the bottom of my pipes. When I used a qtip to clean this pipe out, a "plug of ash" made its way in there. Never got a mouthful of ash though, despite me taking the stinger off. So, that's a positive. I think I'll have to find a new way to tamp with this pipe while still being able to smoke it all the way to the bottom. But, otherwise, I think this will be a fine smoker moving forward.
Wouldn't the stinger prevent tobacco from getting very far?
Now that I've read all the replies, I see that you've got it conquered.
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I generally don't like stingers. I have a non-removable one on my prewar kaywoodie drinkless, however, and enjoy its smoke quite a bit. I may try this pipe again with the stinger on to see if that prevents that "plug of ash" from forming as the stinger is quite long. I may end up having to adjust my tamping toward the bottom of the bowl regardless
We'll see, but I definitely think this pipe will be a good smoker.
I just bought this one during the Black Friday sale for $50. Too cool to pass up. I haven’t smoked it yet, so I can’t comment on the performance of it. A couple of things that stood out just from holding it for the first time is that the stain feels just the absolute tiniest bit tacky to the touch, and there are quite a few small chips and dings in the stummel. For a super affordable pipe that’s 80+ years old I’m totally cool with it, but it’s worth mentioning. Hopefully it’s a good smoker. Also, it is quite small.
Nice!! My only complaint is still the draft hole size. Without the stinger, fold'n'stuffed, I was getting a pretty good plug of ash in the draft hole. I tried a few bowls recently with the stinger; flakes still fold'n'stuffed. I'm not sure if it was just because the stinger restricted the draw, but it did seem to help somewhat with the "plug of ash". But, it seems kind of unavoidable... at least on my pipe. The draft hole is large enough that I can pass a qtip from the shank through the draft hole with plenty of room to spare. I'm also not sure what the best steps are for taking care of the corked shank. I think I'll just try to ensure it doesn't dry out by applying mineral oil or wax or something once every blue boon.
I'm still working it into the rotation, but it isn't a bad smoke. I'm certainly glad I have it, even if it is not one I will reach for regularly. I'd love to hear how yours smokes for you and if you have any trouble with the draft hole sizing!
After reading your post I got mine in the mail and I did notice that the draft hole is drilled quite large. I don’t ever fold and stuff, so I might end up having issues with that myself. Just cold drawing on the pipe with the stinger in, the draw was way more restricted than I prefer. It’ll be interesting to see how it does. I’ve been battling a bad cold that turned into bronchitis for the last week and a half, but I’m hoping maybe within the next few days I can finally take it for a spin.
Oh no! I hope you feel better soon.
The draw is definitely more open with the stinger removed. I try to tamp straight down toward the bottom of the bowl rather than at an angle toward the draft hole like I do on most pipes. Not sure if any of this will help. But I hope it smokes well for you and that you have good luck with ash getting in the draft hole! Fwiw, I never got ash in my mouth which is nice lol
Any tips for avoiding what is essentially a plug of ash in the draft hole? Packing methods? Tamping technique? With a stinger? Without a stinger? Just curious what your experience has been and how you've managed.
It doesn't cause me problems when smoking; meaning the draft is good and no ashes in my mouth. But when I clean the shank / draft hole out with a qtip (pipe cleaner is too small), I inevitably end up having to deal with a decent amount of ash that made its way into the shank. Not the end of the world, and I'll keep experimenting to learn what works best for me. But, just curious what advice you might have!
Thanks! Hoping it makes for a nice smoker. I hardly ever smoke a bowl all the way down to ash, I usually dump a decent little chunk of dottle that doesn’t have any ash in it, so hopefully ash isn’t an issue for me. But I could see unburnt tobacco getting down in there. We shall see.
I havent noticed ash in the shank when cleaning. For my Ropp pipe I clean through the stem and shank with a cleaner like usual, and then dab the wet stuff off from the bowl end of the draft hole with a bent pipe cleaner, blow air out the stem and call it a day.
have seen a number of period vintage ads for sale on ebay, that show the cutaway pipe having a section of cork inserted into the shank. The description in the adds all indicated that it was for MOISTURE TRAPPING.I want to clarify one comment I made earlier in this thread so as to not spread misinformation. The stinger on this pipe was indeed removable. Mine was a little stuck. But the twisted stinger did indeed pull out from the metal tube.
Also... I have no idea what this little insert is in the shank. But, perhaps, it is cork? Or, even if it is wood and not cork, perhaps the purpose of this is the same either way? To allow the stem to be removed while the pipe is still warm?
One company used it to control gurgle and ensure proper draw.
This has been a great adventure in learning about pipes and the different preferences of the pipe smokers in this group. I became intrigued by this and ended up purchasing a Brulor today for myself to add to the rotation. I can’t wait to get it in and see how it feels and smokes. Thank you all for sharing your thoughts and experiences.
