Title edited for capitalization. Rule 9. -jpm
This was my first time reaming my own bowl, and I like many others read all the "this is scary what do I do?!" posts which also came with an even mix of "just do it, it's fine!" and "holy crap are you crazy?! you'll destroy your pipe forever, don't do it!!" or the middle road "do it, but be REALLY careful or it will never be right again!" responses.
I finally got up the gusto and ordered a Neerup Pipe knife and Sr.Reamer and went for it in my BST bent pot, a pipe that I love dearly and smoke often which had a fairly thick, crumbly, and flaking cake. I know, I know I should have practiced on that old corn cob before possibly ruining my beloved BST but.....
.... I can confirm it was EASY, AND I didn't destroy anything as far as I can tell. The pipe is smoking wonderfully, better than before the ream and I'm no longer afraid to do this on my own! I got some after pictures which I'll post below, I forgot to take before pictures, maybe it was the nerves?
You can see a bit of wood poking out at the top of the bowl in one photo, but it's got a nice even almost back to the wood bowl with just a bit of carbon at the bottom (that stuff wouldn't budge).
All this to say, I hope this dispels some of the fear around reaming and encourages those like me who were scared to take the plunge! I will be reaming my own pipes from now on! With these two tools btw which were inexpensive and great!
Cheers all and happy smokes!
This was my first time reaming my own bowl, and I like many others read all the "this is scary what do I do?!" posts which also came with an even mix of "just do it, it's fine!" and "holy crap are you crazy?! you'll destroy your pipe forever, don't do it!!" or the middle road "do it, but be REALLY careful or it will never be right again!" responses.
I finally got up the gusto and ordered a Neerup Pipe knife and Sr.Reamer and went for it in my BST bent pot, a pipe that I love dearly and smoke often which had a fairly thick, crumbly, and flaking cake. I know, I know I should have practiced on that old corn cob before possibly ruining my beloved BST but.....
.... I can confirm it was EASY, AND I didn't destroy anything as far as I can tell. The pipe is smoking wonderfully, better than before the ream and I'm no longer afraid to do this on my own! I got some after pictures which I'll post below, I forgot to take before pictures, maybe it was the nerves?
You can see a bit of wood poking out at the top of the bowl in one photo, but it's got a nice even almost back to the wood bowl with just a bit of carbon at the bottom (that stuff wouldn't budge).
All this to say, I hope this dispels some of the fear around reaming and encourages those like me who were scared to take the plunge! I will be reaming my own pipes from now on! With these two tools btw which were inexpensive and great!
Cheers all and happy smokes!
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