And here is the 2nd Alligator. Unfortunately while the exterior seemed quite nice, I discovered a pretty significant burn inside the bowl. It's quite char'd! I'm somewhat surprised this level of burn on the inside given that I don't think it has had much use. Either its a defect in the briar (likely) or the original owner did something bad. I would have noticed it had I not purchased these over the interwebs - not something in my normal habit but I took a chance on this lot. Ah well. It's a hobby.
Other than some minor cleaning with swabs and pipe cleaners I did nothing else to the bowl interior. I am not in the habit of repairing this level of damage and will eventually pass it along to someone who wants to attempt it. I'm not particularly fond of the Alligators anyway so they wouldn't stay in my collection.
I did the same treatment as the last one, and overall it looks quite nice - tho with the darker stain it doesn't show as well. I need to come up with a nicer method and background to photograph, but without a consistent pipe-bench it will be some time before this happens.
Happy to have one more cleanup under my belt.
Other than some minor cleaning with swabs and pipe cleaners I did nothing else to the bowl interior. I am not in the habit of repairing this level of damage and will eventually pass it along to someone who wants to attempt it. I'm not particularly fond of the Alligators anyway so they wouldn't stay in my collection.
I did the same treatment as the last one, and overall it looks quite nice - tho with the darker stain it doesn't show as well. I need to come up with a nicer method and background to photograph, but without a consistent pipe-bench it will be some time before this happens.
Happy to have one more cleanup under my belt.
