Estate Pipes Help?

[chasethorn]

So I turned 18 and my dad decided he wanted to give me my Grandpas old pipes. I have four pipes and only two have the stems for now (He knows where to others are, just didn't have time to look). They are all briar pipes I believe. Here are some pictures.
This is the first one, it's a bent London Lane Real Grain Bruyere:

The second one is a Vello-Bole Honey Cured Briar pipe (Stem is in a box somewhere):

The Third is a "Drinkless" Kaywoodie Thorn:

The last one is Genuine Imported Briar pipe:

Now my questions. Are these quality pipes? Are they in good condition? Anything you see that may be good advise for me?

 

[chasethorn]

Thank you! I don't care really how much they are worth as I plan on keeping them and using them myself. I will clean and restore them.

 

[lumberjakpipester]

I would say that they are serviceable, and with a little elbow grease and a few simple tools, they sould shine right up! Welcome to the hobby!

 

[numbersix]

Welcome to the forum. As Roth said, these aren't valuable (tho I am not familiar with the first one), but they are likely very good quality smokers nonetheless. I would suggest you read up on how to restore a pipe (use Google and this forum). It's not very difficult, but there are some tried and true methods. Once done, these should be excellent pipes.

 

[oldredbeard]

Welcome to the forum chasethorn. I have several old Kaywoodies and Yelo-Boles, They are good smoking pipes. As the others have said just a little elbow grease and I bet you will have some fine looking old pipes. They will certainly be special to you just because they are from your grandfather. I wish I had some from mine, no one knows where they wound up.

 

[chasethorn]

So I took a little tool and genitally carved the cake build up out of the pipes. I left a thin layer just so I don't burn away the Briar. I will shine them up a tad bit so they look new. I was careful not to damage the bowls in any way, just clean them up. The brim of the pipes are a little black but that seems to come off with a scratch of the finger nail.

I think I did OK.

 

[lumberjakpipester]

You certainly did... nice first time! If you're not careful I will become an all consuming addiction!

 

[chasethorn]

I am known to become addicted and almost obsessed with new hobbies... This may be one of them! I was almost about to order a Aristocob pipe a couple weeks ago, but I am glad my dad gave me these to try out.

 

[chasethorn]

Thank you! I am a wood carver so I have all kinds of things that would be great on the briar, I will research some options before I try anything. Now I just have to see what type of Tobacco I would like!

 

[chasethorn]

My dad also gave me this...

Not sure if it will ever work but it is a nice collectable!

 

[ssjones]

Those are worth saving with the family history, have fun restoring and getting to know them.

 

[chasethorn]

Sorry for all of the questions here... But what are these? Are they filters of some sort?

 

[chasethorn]

So there is no need for them? I will save them and put them in my safe so I don't throw them away. Thank you!

 

[chasethorn]

haha uh oh! Yeah I have bad luck with small parts!

 

[fnord]

Chase:
You've received some great advice today and, with your wood working skills, I know you'll do great things bringing your Grandpa's pipes into your generation. I have one of my Granddad's burners and, while I don't smoke it, it still gives me a smile everytime I see it.
My grandfather died when I was young but I still have these amazing memories of him: filling his Zippo lighter with drops of gasoline at the station, cursing when his hand "flamed on," handrolling Half & Half into cigarettes and his Suntan Sear's workshirts I wore during my college days. (They were pockmarked with burnholes from his hand made smokes.)
Cherish the legacy, pally.
Fnord

 

[fnord]

Sorry. Doubled up.
Fnord

 

[jah76]

Welcome aboard Chase!
I've got one my of grandfather's pipes and I've been carrying around since I was about 9 years old. I still haven't smoked it (but each of my kids has played with it like I did as a kid). I don't know that I'll ever refinish it, but one day I'd like to come up with a pipe holder slash picture frame combo so I can put it next to a picture I have of him smoking it.
Anyway. Welcome aboard. I don't know why but something about that Yello-Bole seems special.
***
Fnord great post. Thank you for sharing that. I actually laughed out loud at the Zippo part. My grandfather was fond of solving problems with hammers and using fish and deer to pay for things.

 

[chasethorn]

Thanks for the stories and all the comments everyone! I really enjoy getting info from such experienced smokers!