Can't Remove the Stem of an Unsmoked Kiko Meerschum

[mau1]

Good evening ladies and gents,

I received this Kiko Meerschaum pipe in the mail today. A lovely pipe but there's just one problem - the stem doesn't come off when I try to remove it. The pipe was given to me freely with the hope that I could solve the problem. Is Isopropyl alcohol the remedy or is it verboten? Something about alcohol and meerschaum not being compatible or is that just a myth? I am told that the tenon is aluminum and the issue is probably corrosion. I don't want to try and force the stem and break it. Any suggestions???

Thanks

 

[bullet08]

Try the refrigerator trick?

 

[mau1]

No. Any idea how a meerschaum does after being frozen?

 

[bullet08]

No. Any idea how a meerschaum does after being frozen?

No idea. I was thinking more of chilling it down then freezing. But your right. That might make it brittle. No clue.

 

[ashdigger]

Alcohol will help. I use alcohol all the time on my meers. Obviously don’t go crazy.

I would NOT freeze it. At all. Unless you want 1,000 pieces and a stem.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Why not just smoke a dozen bowls? That could free it. And the hot water flush might also remove gunk, corrosion etc.

 

[warren]

Was it mine and, it isn't, it's a cheapy so, I'd just torque off as gently and forcefully as possible. Meerschaum is tougher than most people think but, I doubt freezing would have an effect on either component. A well padded vise will be helpful in insuring no side to side forcing. Straight, gently applied torque should work.

 

[BROBS]

Why would it break in the freezer?

 

[warren]

If it wasn't thoroughly dry and I mean thoroughly, the moisture in the "veins' would expand. Now, I've smoked a meer in extremely cold weather but, the heat from the burning tobacco kept the mineral warm through out. I never feared smoking outside at below zero but, freezing? I'm not sold on the efficacy of doing so unless it is "desert" dry.

 

[elessar]

Those Kiko's have a unique stem/tenon arrangement. I broke mine. There may have been a drill involved. I can only add a drill won't help lol.

Unsmoked?

 

[niblicck]

Are you trying to remove by turning cw or ccw. Some of the KiKo's I've worked on are threaded. I would use 190 proof Everclear to clean the stem and then give it a twist ccw. Or just smoke it after cleaning stem and then try turning ccw.

 

[rajangan]

No. Any idea how a meerschaum does after being frozen?

I'm sure mine have been frozen many times with no issue.

 

[verporchting]

Smoke it and try alcohol soaked cleaners while it’s still warm? Repeat. If it never comes off it will at least be cleaner inside the airway.

 

[snagstangl]

if it has the aluminum tenon it will be threaded on the stem or the shank side. I have seen both. So try to unscrew the stem until it is completely separate from the tenon. Then you can use the alcohol to loosen the tenon and screw it back in to the stem once it is free.

 

[warren]

There is a difference between a slow freezing and putting one in the freezer compartment. Usually if one of mine froze inadvertently if was from being accidentally left the car overnight. I would simply be leery of subjecting a meer, with liquid residue to a quick change from room temp to freezing. Just sayin'.

 

[niblicck]

I buy and sell alot of pipes and one of my pet peeves is removing a stem from a newly aquired briar pipe. Any resistance to it I'll place it in the freezer for 2 hours and then remove the stem. With that said I've never had to do this to a meer pipe but have most likely to a meer lined pipe. I would not have a problem putting a meer pipe in a freezer for removing a stubborn stem. After all you never hear anyone complaining how their meer pipe broke after leaving it in a vehicle overnight and the temperature got below 0 degrees. Or I have not.

 

[mau1]

I will use the alcohol approach to try and loosen the stem. From what I have seen with some Kiko pipes, there can either be a smooth aluminum tenon in the shank or a screw-type tenon in the stem. I'm leery about the meerschaum absorbing the alcohol. I am using a need to inject the alcohol at the joint and at the bit.

 

[niblicck]

I will use the alcohol approach to try and loosen the stem. From what I have seen with some Kiko pipes, there can either be a smooth aluminum tenon in the shank or a screw-type tenon in the stem. I'm leery about the meerschaum absorbing the alcohol. I am using a need to inject the alcohol at the joint and at the bit.

190 proof alcohol has very very little water and should evaporate really quick.

 

[Zack Miller]

WD40? That will unstick anything.

 

[niblicck]

WD40? That will unstick anything.

PB Blaster is better but sure would be a terrible smoke after that.