Dirty Estate Pipes

[pruss]

You spelled bat shit crazy wrong.

I actually initially typed “bat shit crazy” when I first wrote the post. But I didn’t think the bat emoji would transfer and I remember the last time I saw her called out in public on this forum.

What a shit storm that was.

— Pat

 

[ashdigger]

I actually initially typed “bat shit crazy” when I first wrote the post. But I didn’t think the bat emoji would transfer and I remember the last time I saw her called out in public on this forum.

What a shit storm that was.

— Pat

Good point. I’m too much of a knuckle dragger sometimes. Lol. I remember what a calamity it turned into. The threats were insane.

 

[sablebrush52]

Good point. I’m too much of a knuckle dragger sometimes. Lol. I remember what a calamity it turned into. The threats were insane.

And highly entertaining!

 

[mikethompson]

I assume ebay vendors know nothing about pipes, and would ask for plenty of pictures before buying a pipe.

As for cleaning estates, I'd assume every pipe is filthy and needs a complete cleaning. You don't know where that pipe has been.

 

[mikethompson]

I vaguely remember that story but forget most of it

 

[Sloopjohnbee]

Hey Oz, I would recommend getting a small pocket sized ozone generator on Amazon(only place I found to get one) and a small steel lockbox that will fit it and a pipe.
As long as the pipe is in decent shape and as described(not functionally damaged) perform a salt/alcohol cleaning or a retort if that's your thing. Then take the pipe and place it in the box for a few cycles of ozone. It will taste clean, be sanitary clean, and you won't even think of this problem any longer. That's the breaks of buying used pipes - if you are still tired of it - opt for new.

 

[Sloopjohnbee]

I use 99% Iso, as it’s highly evaporative and I don’t worry about the other 1%.

For the pipes...

I’m partial to single malt Scotch for the humour.

— Pat

Nothing wrong with it - you know how I know? - I bought some 'Purell for Food Surfaces' as it was expensive but a cheaper alternative to using liquor. It reads that it is ethanol, so I assumed it's potable grain alcohol - it reads use on cutting boards and food surfaces though, MAKE SURE IT IS DRY PRIOR TO USE- When I saw that I looked up what else was in there...- well, they cut the stuff with Iso - so if they advocate Iso on food surfaces as long as it evaporates and is dry I don't see what the difference is no matter how many percent.

 

[ssjones]

I've bought/restored over 300 pipes in the past 10 years, that's how I built my current collection. (bought/resold a five figure $ amount, which is frightening to look back on)

To be honest, I pay little attention to ANY claim that the pipe was cleaned. In fact, I'd rather it was not and I'll pay dependent on the physical condition, NOT the cleanliness. I always clean and polish it to my satisfaction anyway, and I'd rather not have some ham-fisted amateur ruin a valuable estate.

If there are any surprises, I don't hesitate to ask for a refund, whether or not the seller accepts returns.

 

[oldgeezersmoker]

I started buying pipes off eBay when I returned to pipe smoking in 2016. I have been very pleased with the overall condition of the pipes I have won, and have returned exactly one piece, for a defect that the seller, with high feedback but no pipe experience, wouldn’t have known to look for.

In that period of time, the two pipes that I have spent the most time cleaning were ones I purchased in a private, non eBay, transaction. YMMV, but I have been very pleased with eBay.

 

[bent1]

There is a certain vendor of pipes that are shiny that had similar issues for many of us. Sadly it's a case of "fool me once..." as most won't give a crap and soon will start the parade of idiots dismissing you with the phrase "first world problems."

I’ve seen that sellers pipes. Some of the rim repairs looked suspect. Fortunately I’ve not purchased from that seller.

 

[Sloopjohnbee]

I’ve seen that sellers pipes. Some of the rim repairs looked suspect. Fortunately I’ve not purchased from that seller.

I bought one and guess it was my lucky day - it was fine - granted I bought one of the pricier ones. But 'til this day haven't smoked it - and have heard one tasted awful - so fingers crossed.

 

[mso489]

A few retailers online have worked hard to make estate/used pipes respectable and figure in their prices a thorough reaming (if needed) and cleaning throughout to make a pipe sale-ready. Riding on their backs are large numbers of sellers who scoop up old pipes in cardboard boxes and resell them with no cleaning or other prep whatever. Experienced pipe buyers work to discern the differences and locate the legit retailers. My wife was a restaurant reviewer and food writer for decades, and she can tell if a restaurant is using fresh cooking oil or stale stuff just by walking in the door and taking one sniff. Buying estate pipes is the same way.

 

[kcghost]

With estate pipes from a reputable source there usually fairly clean and ready to smoke. From lesser sources you may as well plan on a major cleaning and if you don't have to it is a pleasant surprise.

 

[spicy_boiii]

In general I despise alot of ebay estate pipe sellers due to the shady stuff they pull.

I support those that are good accordingly. I find the best items available to be from random non-specific sellers.

I've had really good luck as a result, I don't buy too many ebay pipes or spend more money much money on them, but they are clean and in nice shape.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I've made at least a dozen purchases from Shiny Pipes with no issue but usually only purchase estates that need major cleaning.

 

[lraisch]

I just received two estate pipes from sellers I had not dealt with before. One was fairly expensive and arrived quite clean, although I performed a quick clean-up with pipe sweetener and toothpaste just to be sure. The other was reamed and highly polished but the shank was filthy. That seller indicated the pipes were cleaned, but suggested the buyer might want to do the own cleaning in addition. Certainly true in this case.

 

[OzPiper]

Hey Oz, I would recommend getting a small pocket sized ozone generator on Amazon(only place I found to get one) and a small steel lockbox that will fit it and a pipe.
As long as the pipe is in decent shape and as described(not functionally damaged) perform a salt/alcohol cleaning or a retort if that's your thing. Then take the pipe and place it in the box for a few cycles of ozone. It will taste clean, be sanitary clean, and you won't even think of this problem any longer. That's the breaks of buying used pipes - if you are still tired of it - opt for new.

Thanks for your suggestion of the ozone generator - I will look into that as I like the idea of giving my pipes a "decontamination" treatment every few months. I use a couple of pipecleaners and wipe out the bowls and give the outside of the bowls a polish with a soft cloth after each smoke.

I do buy new pipes (2 new Castellos this month), but my real interest is old Brit brands. A few unsmoked examples come up occadionally, but have to rely on EBay and SP for most of my other buys.
Ray

 

[Sloopjohnbee]

Thanks for your suggestion of the ozone generator - I will look into that as I like the idea of giving my pipes a "decontamination" treatment every few months. I use a couple of pipecleaners and wipe out the bowls and give the outside of the bowls a polish with a soft cloth after each smoke.

I do buy new pipes (2 new Castellos this month), but my real interest is old Brit brands. A few unsmoked examples come up occadionally, but have to rely on EBay and SP for most of my other buys.
Ray

Yes, well you won't be disappointed -I was like you with casual wiping of the pipe but once I got into this ozone - I keep the ozoneon regular rotation - 1 hour with 2 pipes(stems removed as will oxidize rubber, acrylic, and metal) in the box - come out fresh everytime - really clean pipes so you can really taste the tobacco

 

[donjgiles]

Yes, well you won't be disappointed -I was like you with casual wiping of the pipe but once I got into this ozone - I keep the ozoneon regular rotation - 1 hour with 2 pipes(stems removed as will oxidize rubber, acrylic, and metal) in the box - come out fresh everytime - really clean pipes so you can really taste the tobacco

Do you have a link to this product?
Thank you.

 

[Sloopjohnbee]

Do you have a link to this product?
Thank you.

I do indeed - one like these https://www.amazon.com/Ozone-Genera...=1&keywords=ozone+round&qid=1607976151&sr=8-3