First Estate Pipe Guidance

[sjolie]

So I'm expecting delivery today of my first estate pipe, and my first ever eBay purchase. I corresponded with the seller a bit who said:
Most times I clean the stem and shank with isopropal [rubbing ] alcohol in the cleanup process before listing .I have been known to miss this step once in a while so it would be wise, on any pipe, to clean before using.
Not knowing the overall condition of the pipe, any thoughts on what I need to do? Of course that will depend on overall condition, but do I need to do anything more than run an alcohol soaked pipe cleaner through the stem until it comes out clean?

 

[collin]

The things that need to be done to your pipe depend, as you said, on the condition of the pipe, the condition of the previous owner and how squeamish you are about carrying around in your mouth something that someone else carried around in theirs.
Kinda gross huh?
Chances are it may need more than just an alcohol swabbing. Something between that and a full re-furbish.
I would suggest posting a few VERY good photos of the pipe and then ask for suggestions. I know we can help you! :mrgreen:

 

[sjolie]

Chances are it may need more than just an alcohol swabbing.

Like what?

 

[unclearthur]

My SOP with any estate is :

1: clean shank and stem very well with a high proof alcohol.

2: Ream back the cake in the bowl if any. How far I ream it depends on the condition of the cake. I like a thin cake myself

3: Carefully examine the bowl interior looking for burnt spots cracks etc. If found scrape back to good wood.

4: Clean exterior of bowl. Again this depends on condition.

5: If bad spots are found in step 3 I fill them with pipe mud.

Reassemble and buff.

 

[collin]

Without photos and a good description of the pipe's condition there are too many options to list. But from the seller's reply; Most times I clean the stem and shank with isopropal [rubbing ] alcohol in the cleanup process before listing .I have been known to miss this step once in a while so it would be wise, on any pipe, to clean before using. ,...... it sounds like, unless this pipe is near new, it's going to need a good cleaning. We can help you do that. :mrgreen:

 

[sjolie]

Thanks again...
Judging by the photos, I don't think there's much of a cake. That is a good thing as I don't yet have a reamer.
Regarding buffing, I don't have any mechanical buffing equipment either. Can this be done by hand and if so, how?

 

[unclearthur]

Any of the excellent waxes like Paragon work well for hand polishing a pipe. There are also some pretty good stem polishes available. I don't use them . I use Either Flitz or plain automotive rubbing compound followed by a good wax and shine.

 

[sjolie]

Ok, I realize I'm ignorant on all this, so more questions...
You use Flitz only on the stem, right?
I'm not familiar with waxes, what do you use?
Sean

 

[unclearthur]

Correct. I wax with carnauba as I have a buffer set up. There are several oils and waxes available fromthe fine online dealers that are made for stems. Or you can do as many do and use Extra virgin Olive Oil.

 

[tedswearingen]

Unclearthur's SOP is right on. Don't forget to ream the drafthole (unless, of course, it doesn't need it)!

 

[sjolie]

Thanks as always!
@Tommy - I figured it would be tough to discern without seeing the pipe (which I haven't yet either, other than eBay pics). I'll post pics once I have it, hopefully this afternoon.
Sean

 

[sjolie]

The seller also had this to say:
Wet a pipe cleaner with alcohol and swab out the stem till it comes out clean. Lightly wipe down the stem with a small rag also wet in alcohol. Dry and you are good to go
So hopefully we'll see what it looks like soon!
Sean

 

[wolfscout]

sjolie after you clean your pipe up well, I like Halcyon II wax. Doesn't need a buffer, just a clean soft rag.

Halcyon II wax on ebay

it's a small jar but goes a long way... applied with your finger, much like car wax.

I've used it for years now.. even before they added the "II" on it.

and it's good for coating steams to prevent oxidation too. No buffers needed.

 

[collin]

@Tommy - I figured it would be tough to discern without seeing the pipe (which I haven't yet either, other than eBay pics). I'll post pics once I have it, hopefully this afternoon.
Sean

Great,....I've bought dozens of pipes on ebay,.....22 out of 25 will look worse in your hand than they did in the photo, that's why I suggested posting a legit photo and we can go from there.

 

[wolfscout]

wow, I've only bought one pipe that was worse than I expected it to be. Then again, it's how you shop/hunt for them that counts.

 

[collin]

Maybe I need to take some lessons then. :?
The nicest pipe I bought, (which had beautiful photos posted by the seller), and paid the most for,.....was photo-shopped to remove two fills.

 

[wolfscout]

ACK~!!~ photo-shopping seller. Did you give negative feedback?

 

[collin]

Nope,....I don't do that. It wasn't that big a deal....it was just the thought that he did it. He's on my list of Never to Buy From Again folks.
Still a great pipe,....one of my favorites, dedicated to two burley blends. :D
*back on topic*;
When you post the photos of your ebay pipe...take one with the stem removed also if you can.

 

[romeowood]

Acquiring all the gear to clean and care for your pipes is the other part of collecting in this hobby, sjolie! And honestly, for me at least, half the fun.

At the very basic I would recommend:

1. A couple old t-shirts, towels, and torn jeans. I like to have the different textures for different operations--denim makes a great material to hand-buff the waxes, t-shirt (cotton jersey) is great for cleaning off the crud and cleaning tools, and a towel is great for everything in-between.
   Pipe cleaners, both bristle and plain. pipesandcigars.com sells a great variety pack for a good price to get you started.
   A reamer. Trust me, you'll need one eventually. Probably a couple for different shaped bowls.
   A stiff-bristle toothbrush.
   Everclear / high-proof (95%+) alcohol. I prefer grain spirits to isopropyl, but others swear by it.
   Cotton swabs.
   A couple small plastic and /or ceramic dishes.

Bob has a great cleaning video on this site as well. I also recommend the Halcyon / Paragon waxes and Walker Briar Works' wax and stem repair products. Walker sells a restore kit as well that saves you a few bucks, check them out.
Regarding the condition you get them in on eBay, I will say it's ALWAYS caveat emptor when you can't touch it. I just got one that had the worst slimy feel and smell to it, like it had been soaked in camel dung. To pretty it up for the camera it had been buffed with a cheap shoe polish, inside and out :x

Ah well, all in a day's work. Get those pictures posted when you can, and congrats on your first find!

 

[hauntedmyst]

I just tape the bowl of the pipe to the exhaust of my car with duct tape so that all of the exhaust has to exit through the mouthpiece and drive around for an hour. I figure anything that might contaminate the pipe will be destroyed by the heat of the engine rendering the pipe sterile.