Beware...pin holes in tins. Cardboard tins.

[matchstickman]

I have a boatload of these types of tins cellared and so far (knock on wood) I haven't had a single problem with any of them save from the old tin of Old Joe Krantz that was so pressurized that the top went boom when I went to open it. Thought I was going to die. Fun times.
Funny story though, I did pop a tin of Irish Flake some years ago that had a defective seal. The tobacco on the inside was fine but I think that was a fairly fresh tin. Like most things in life, quality control for this sort of thing can only go so far, and I think that if this was a genuine issue in manufacturing, than most of the companies who produce at any kind of volume should be made aware of the problem and I'm willing to be that they will make things right.

 

[scloyd]

and the metal bottoms seem to be OK; but I must admit, I worry about the integrity of the paper walls.

That's exactly what kind of tins they were except they were Sutliff Private Stock blends.
In the picture is where the cardboard meets the metal bottom. You can see what looks like a wrinkle. Several of them around the bottom rim. I think this is where the tin was compromised (moisture).

 

[jon11]

Good on you scloyd! I know it sucks to buy compromised tins and feels like a waste of money but the good ones you get will pay for the unsmokable ones!

 

[jpmcwjr]

Interesting in that it looks like there was too much moisture where the tins were stored. Was there also rust coming from the interior of the tin?

 

[scloyd]

Was there also rust coming from the interior of the tin?

Yes, The inside bottoms of the tins were all rusty.
I have no bad feelings towards the seller. I think he really didn't know. It is what it is, it's over. Like I said in an earlier post...I have learned a lot from this experience.

 

[morgansteele]

Sable is right. The sale of vintage tins should only be able to be returned unopened. Once opened you’re at your own risk just like the seller would have been had he opened it. - jon11

+1

 

[pipestud]

Would someone please invent a PCE-PMI 2 meter that also has X-ray vision? That sure would save me some headaches and heartaches.

 

[robcapp]

Aren't the Rattrays 100gram tins similar? Do they have many failures? I hope not as I cellared deep on these... I'd be mortified if I went to them in 10 years and they were dust!

 

[jacks6]

Hey guys - as the seller of these tins I just wanted to chime in here for some extra info. First of all I completely sympathize with Scott. You never expect to order something and then find out your tins are rusted out. We've worked it out and he did send back the refund but the offer is still on the table if he finds he can't rehydrate and these are a total loss he's welcome to be reimbursed later or I'll send him something else he may like.
I also have been reading the threads on the tin failures for this type and wanted to provide some additional information to go along with what I've been reading. I saw somewhere that the tins are good for roughly 7 years - these were only a few years old - maybe 4/5 max. Also, I can see the moisture on the bottom of the tins in his photos - they werent stored in a humid area. It makes me wonder if the moisture inside the tin seeped through. I'm only pointing this out to show that apparently even without a significant amount of age and in a cool environment the tin failures happened. I'm not trying to absolve myself of responsibility, I only wish to add my observations to the larger discussion around this type of tin. I hope this is helpful and I've certainly learned a lot myself through this experience.

 

[robcapp]

Thanks for the info, Jack. Well played, Sir.
Oh well, I guess I'm going through the cellar and checking all my tins. Fingers crossed no casualties, as I really didn't plan on having to jar anything up!

 

[cortezattic]

Aren't the Rattrays 100gram tins similar?

No, Rattray's 100gr tins are all metal, and, iirc, are coated on the interior to boot.
The only other brand that uses the aluminized cardboard, in my experience, is Sail 7oz. (tall) cans. There are probably others that I've never seen.

 

[noseflute]

You frightened me (you did well) and I checked my G.L.Pease tins
I found only 3 tins with visible rust blemishes (it will be a surprise for the ones that look 'sane'), and opened them.

1 Stratford 2004 and 2 Piccadilly 2003. In all of them, the tobacco is very dry, forming a block. The Stratford really stinks (hop! to the garbage). But both Piccadilly smell good, as they should, just a bit weaker. I will moist them again and make a smoking test (But I doubt to be amazed)
Thank you. I prefer to know (I have 133 G.L.Pease tins... and 15 from 2003-2004, but some earlier)

 

[jpmcwjr]

Glad you found the problem and addressed it! Mon Dieu! Quel collection de M. Pease!! Très bien fait. Good photo illustrations, too.

 

[noseflute]

Thank you jpmcwjr !
I wish I had less aged ones

 

[scloyd]

the offer is still on the table if he finds he can't rehydrate and these are a total loss he's welcome to be reimbursed later or I'll send him something else he may like.

Not necessary. We are all good. I look at this as a valuable lesson and hopefully this whole ordeal helps other members.

 

[jravenwood]

So I did some research as I just traded for some tins of Ann k. These are the gold bottomed tins though and appear to be like new (which of course doesn’t always mean they are fine). But it seems the consensus is that the newer gold bottom tins are ok for long term storage ? I was thinking of even sealing them in Mylar as is to ensure they don’t dry out as I also don’t want to interrupt the aging process .
http://www.puff.com/forums/vb/general-pipe-forum/202925-pipesandcigars-com-hearth-home-tin-warning-2.html#/topics/202925?page=2

 

[jravenwood]

Also they all weigh out to 3.2oz, although one is 3.4. I have some fresh AJ Vaper tins arriving from pipes and cigars that I’ll weigh and compare to these older Ann k tins.