Hello all. I’ve searched on here and elsewhere. I’ve read GL Pease’s article on this exact pipe series. I’ve asked fellow pipers. So far, I haven’t found a suitable answer.
I’m new. Not a seasoned pro, but deep enough into this hobby to not feel like a complete fool.
I had always taken the stem off the pipe I smoked that day after it had cooled off all the way to clean it better (folded over pipe cleaner through the mortise and tenon separately as you can’t do this through the button end.) That is, until I read an article on smoking pipes about cleaning. I believe it was by Chuck Stanion. I’ll link it. He basically said don’t take your pipe apart very often at all to clean deeply. Only after many bowls (weekly or monthly if I recall). I was doing it after EVERY bowl.
Now I get his advice and have begun sort of following it more for some of my pipes. General theory is less wear and tear on the mortise and tenon. My question/the caveat to his advice revolves around my Radice Rind Aero Reverse Calabash.
As most of you know, the reverse calabash has a large condensation/cooling chamber between the smoke hole and the stem. Without getting out a caliper I’d say it’s at least 5/8” diameter, maybe 3/4” deep? After a decent sized bowl of what I believe to be appropriately moist Virginia, it has a significant amount of moisture in it. Probably only about 5 real “drops” if you tipped it over, but enough that a thorough paper towel swab out Is necessary. If not, the second bowl would be gurgle city. Also, it seems odd to me to leave it to absorb into the briar. So much gross resin moisture that I don’t think is adding anything to my pipes nutty character. So I swab it out every single time, after the pipe has completely cooled.
So the REAL reason I ask is because of something super strange that happened to me this week. I live in Phoenix. 115 degrees lately and very low humidity. I drove up to northern Arizona this past week Where it was nearly 60 degrees cooler and significantly more humid. My purchased new 4 month old Radice Aero that has always had an exceptionally snug stem fitment literally was so loose it fell out from gravity/it’s own weight if I tipped the stem down. I understand that things contract when they get cold and expand when hot, but this seemed extreme. Does anybody think I’ve caused damage? Is there any solution? The pipe is as tight as it always was now that I’m home, but I’m wondering what’s going to happen come winter here. Also, what would have happened if somebody in Alaska bought the same pipe (would it have been unacceptably loose upon arrival to a cold city)
I also find this interesting. Different pipe makers in different regions making the stem to briar fitment in different temperatures/climates year round, then shipping those pipes to potentially opposite climates. It reminds me of how a door in my house swells and sticks in the summer and is perfectly functional in winter due to the expansion and contraction.
Also, does anybody know what the little black bushing material is on the inside of the Aeros? I’ll include photos in a follow up post.
Thanks!
I’m new. Not a seasoned pro, but deep enough into this hobby to not feel like a complete fool.
I had always taken the stem off the pipe I smoked that day after it had cooled off all the way to clean it better (folded over pipe cleaner through the mortise and tenon separately as you can’t do this through the button end.) That is, until I read an article on smoking pipes about cleaning. I believe it was by Chuck Stanion. I’ll link it. He basically said don’t take your pipe apart very often at all to clean deeply. Only after many bowls (weekly or monthly if I recall). I was doing it after EVERY bowl.
Unanticipated Havoc | Smokingpipes
I reached for one of my most trustworthy pipes, a Castello Sea Rock made in 2000, and was surprised to detect a small gap.
www.smokingpipes.com
Now I get his advice and have begun sort of following it more for some of my pipes. General theory is less wear and tear on the mortise and tenon. My question/the caveat to his advice revolves around my Radice Rind Aero Reverse Calabash.
As most of you know, the reverse calabash has a large condensation/cooling chamber between the smoke hole and the stem. Without getting out a caliper I’d say it’s at least 5/8” diameter, maybe 3/4” deep? After a decent sized bowl of what I believe to be appropriately moist Virginia, it has a significant amount of moisture in it. Probably only about 5 real “drops” if you tipped it over, but enough that a thorough paper towel swab out Is necessary. If not, the second bowl would be gurgle city. Also, it seems odd to me to leave it to absorb into the briar. So much gross resin moisture that I don’t think is adding anything to my pipes nutty character. So I swab it out every single time, after the pipe has completely cooled.
So the REAL reason I ask is because of something super strange that happened to me this week. I live in Phoenix. 115 degrees lately and very low humidity. I drove up to northern Arizona this past week Where it was nearly 60 degrees cooler and significantly more humid. My purchased new 4 month old Radice Aero that has always had an exceptionally snug stem fitment literally was so loose it fell out from gravity/it’s own weight if I tipped the stem down. I understand that things contract when they get cold and expand when hot, but this seemed extreme. Does anybody think I’ve caused damage? Is there any solution? The pipe is as tight as it always was now that I’m home, but I’m wondering what’s going to happen come winter here. Also, what would have happened if somebody in Alaska bought the same pipe (would it have been unacceptably loose upon arrival to a cold city)
I also find this interesting. Different pipe makers in different regions making the stem to briar fitment in different temperatures/climates year round, then shipping those pipes to potentially opposite climates. It reminds me of how a door in my house swells and sticks in the summer and is perfectly functional in winter due to the expansion and contraction.
Also, does anybody know what the little black bushing material is on the inside of the Aeros? I’ll include photos in a follow up post.
Thanks!
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