I never know what to say when introducing myself, so I've attached a photo of some of my recent pipe related activity. Being a returnee to the pipe I've had to rebuild my collection to accommodate a rotation. I've managed this now, and from now on I'll be focussing on quality more than quantity.
Anyway, in my quest to get enough pipes I've managed to pick up a few bargains on eBay. It can be done, if you're selective about what you bid for.
The little Lovat cost me £16 and was unsmoked. Judging by its windcap I'd guess it was made in the 50s, or early 60s. The stummel was faded and dry, so I fed it with mineral oil and waxed it with carnuba. The stem was oxydised, I heat treated it, polished it up with Cif. Then put on some mineral oil, waxed it, and put some beeswax on the tenon. It's stamped "Colonel Henry Fraser Lovat Pipe", on one side. The other side just says, "London Made".
Being as it was so dry, I was concerned that the chamber might get scorched when I smoked it. So, I wet the chamber and it was fine.
The Bacchus meerschaum I got for a tenner. It had a cake varying between one sixth and a quarter of an inch. I removed that with the 70s style Rodgers knife (that I got when I first smoked a pipe), and am now sanding the last of it off to take the chamber back to the meerschaum.
I've also included my lighting solution in the picture. These little clipper mini-tubes are the bee's knees for lighting pipes. It's a shame that the have to piezoelectric, but I bought a pack of four. So, they should last a while.
I think I've gone on long enough, so I'll spare you the details of which tobaccos I'm smoking.
