Great Article On Obsidian Oil

[Mike N]

I was looking for alternatives to the proprietary Obsidian Oil that would also supply natural UV protection for my ebonite stems. I’m researching sesame oil or coconut oil. It seems food grade mineral oil does not block UV rays.

In any event, I stumbled on a 2022 article on this website by Chuck Stanion on John Hauser’s invention of Obsidian Oil. It’s worth a read. (Sorry if this article was previously linked that I missed). I loved the old pipe shop stories (especially when it mentions a mall that had two pipe and tobacco stores).

https://www.smokingpipes.com/smokingpipesblog/single.cfm/post/obsidian-oil-the-solution-stem-oxidation

 

[ssjones]

I've always found it a bit gimmicky in a snake-oil kind of way. Sure, it makes the stem look greasy and wet black for a short while. Food grade mineral oil does the same thing.

Can you really "seal the pores" of a plastic pipe stem?

 

[sablebrush52]

Interesting article. I use either Paragon or Halcyon waxes for the same purpose.

 

[Chasing Embers]

It's creator is a member here.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Can you really "seal the pores" of a plastic pipe stem?

Being porous, an oil can temporarily seal ebonite.

 

[Briar Lee]

In my experience you’d have be tighter fisted than a Scots Ozark American raised within sight of Bug Tussle to use anything but geniune Obsidian Oil to blacken a pipe stem.

A tiny $15 bottle has lasted me several years.

 

[Chasing Embers]

In my experience you’d have be tighter fisted than a Scots Ozark American raised within sight of Bug Tussle to use anything but geniune Obsidian Oil to blacken a pipe stem.

A tiny $15 bottle has lasted me several years.

You can achieve the same results with Chap Stick or mineral oil.

 

[Briar Lee]

You can achieve the same results with Chap Stick or mineral oil.

But those don’t come in the handy little $15 bottle that lasts for years and years.

Just the film on the inside of the lid does several stems.

 

[Sig]

Obsidian oil has it's place.
It's main purpose seems to be for Vulcanite stems on pipes that are on display in a collection.
For daily smokers that get handled and smoked and cleaned often, there are other products that work as good. From mineral oil to olive oil, as long as you are applying it at regular intervals, they have worked for me. I have 80 year old pipes that I smoke weekly that have pretty shiny Vulcanite stems. I have only used wax to buff and "some sort" of oil to protect.
I know if I had thousands of dollars worth of unsmoked handmade pipes that I displayed under light for years, I would probably use Obsidian oil.
But, I'm just a smoker who really only shines his pipes for the sake of you guys who have to look at them in the "whatcha smokin" thread.

 

[NookersTheCat]

Am I the only psycho who kind of loves the patina that vulcanite gets? lol
We don't feel the need to clean the statue of liberty every 10 years

 

[ssjones]

Am I the only psycho who kind of loves the patina that vulcanite gets? lol
We don't feel the need to clean the statue of liberty every 10 years

Most of us don't wrap out lips around Lady Liberty. I'm always appreciative when my wife brushes her teeth. I suspect you aren't sucking on pennies either.

 

[NookersTheCat]

Most of us don't wrap out lips around Lady Liberty.

I'm not like *most* people

Seriously tho, Idk, I don't have many vulcanite stems and even fewer that I keep out in the light to get oxidized... but I've never detected an issue with the ones that I do other than the appearance which I don't mind... definitely no rotten-teeth odor haha

 

[burleybreath]

I just keep my pipes in drawers. Open displays don't impress anyone but other pipe smokers. "Civilians" just think you're weird. The diminished exposure to light isn't perfect, but the pipes seem to retain enough shine to satisfy anyone who sees them, namely me. I might hand buff one once in a while.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Am I the only psycho who kind of loves the patina that vulcanite gets? lol
We don't feel the need to clean the statue of liberty every 10 years

Probably

The sulphur smell and taste that come with it are off putting.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I just keep my pipes in drawers. Open displays don't impress anyone but other pipe smokers. "Civilians" just think you're weird. The diminished exposure to light isn't perfect, but the pipes seem to retain enough shine to satisfy anyone who sees them, namely me. I might hand buff one once in a while.

I just keep mine in cardboard boxes.

 

[georged]

Homeowner In Shock After Discovering Delivery Driver Appears To Lick His Cat

A man was left in shock after watching security footage of a delivery driver picking up his cat and appearing to lick it multiple times. Dan Struttman from...

ark.media

 

[Briarcutter]

View attachment 382940

Homeowner In Shock After Discovering Delivery Driver Appears To Lick His Cat

A man was left in shock after watching security footage of a delivery driver picking up his cat and appearing to lick it multiple times. Dan Struttman from...

ark.media

That poor cat even seemed baffled

 

[Sicut_Incensum]

Obsidian oil has it's place.
It's main purpose seems to be for Vulcanite stems on pipes that are on display in a collection.
For daily smokers that get handled and smoked and cleaned often, there are other products that work as good. From mineral oil to olive oil, as long as you are applying it at regular intervals, they have worked for me. I have 80 year old pipes that I smoke weekly that have pretty shiny Vulcanite stems. I have only used wax to buff and "some sort" of oil to protect.
I know if I had thousands of dollars worth of unsmoked handmade pipes that I displayed under light for years, I would probably use Obsidian oil.
But, I'm just a smoker who really only shines his pipes for the sake of you guys who have to look at them in the "whatcha smokin" thread.

Thank you for this excellent bit of advice!

 

[NookersTheCat]

Probably

The sulphur smell and taste that come with it are off putting.

Funny I never noticed it.. tho I don't use those pipes often and they have only a light patina as, while they are on display, it is a semi-basement area.
I have obsidian oil but just never got around to it as I'd only even noticed it starting the last year. I'll prob seal them so it doesn't go further but it's barely noticeable so far to me..

They were all pretty much N.O.S. $20 basket pipes too..

 

[NookersTheCat]

View attachment 382940

Homeowner In Shock After Discovering Delivery Driver Appears To Lick His Cat

A man was left in shock after watching security footage of a delivery driver picking up his cat and appearing to lick it multiple times. Dan Struttman from...

ark.media

I assure you, no cats were harmed in the making of my strange and deviant behavior