Is it Safe to Leave Oxidation on Vulcanite?

[mso489]

I don't see oxidation as a safety consideration. However, it certainly leaves a pipe totally unappetizing to me. I was gifted with a Thompson Cigar house pipe, a fine piece of briar done as a handsome freehand, but the stem oxidized almost as soon as it was re-polished. I had a new acrylic stem made for it, tortoise shell replacing the original black Vulcanite, and it looks and smokes far better than before. Also the old stem had a version of a P-lip bit. I have one of those on a Peterson that I enjoy, but it retains its polish.

 

[PipeIT]

if I choose to not retire this old Home Comfort, I’ll be seeking out a pipe restorer to make a better amber acrylic stem for this cob. The stems I’ve mail ordered so far have too big of a tenon.
View attachment 128108

Are you familiar with Forever Stems for Cobs? They are only acrylic...

Forever Stems - Vermont Freehand

Forever Stems Stems will fit these Missouri Meerschaum filtered pipe models; Country Gentleman Diplomat Diplomat 5th Ave. Freehand General Great Dane Spool Legend MacArthur Maple Hardwood Mark Twain Ozark Mountain Missouri Pride Washington Stems will fit these...

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[Chasing Embers]

They are only acrylic...

It was sad when they quite making the vulcanite ones.

 

[clynch]

Baking soda and water, make a paste. Rub it into the vulcanite with fingers. Removed all oxidation easily. Make sure to do the entire stem. Then oil or wax. The oxidation was unsightly and beginning to irritate me.

 

[k o h l e w]

Are you familiar with Forever Stems for Cobs? They are only acrylic...

Forever Stems - Vermont Freehand

Forever Stems Stems will fit these Missouri Meerschaum filtered pipe models; Country Gentleman Diplomat Diplomat 5th Ave. Freehand General Great Dane Spool Legend MacArthur Maple Hardwood Mark Twain Ozark Mountain Missouri Pride Washington Stems will fit these...

vermontfreehand.com

THANK YOU ! This is a big help.

 

[irishearl]

Baking soda and water, make a paste. Rub it into the vulcanite with fingers. Removed all oxidation easily. Make sure to do the entire stem. Then oil or wax. The oxidation was unsightly and beginning to irritate me.

Interesting technique. So, do you rub it on and then wipe it right off immediately?

 

[clynch]

Yup. Just rub it in, then wash it off. The oxidation comes right off. Immediately. After I did the oxidation on the lip, the rest of the vulcanite stem looked lacking so i did the entire stem. Took less than 30 seconds

 

[sablebrush52]

No matter how I protect my vulcanite, I have a few pipes with stems that detest sunlight. There will always be some who will respond that they do not have this problem. So be it, they do not have these pipes. The two main offenders are both Charatan’s Make.

Charlatan used a lower grade and higher sulfur content Vulcanite which they imported from the US, according to Ken Barnes, who used to saw the sheets into rods when he worked at Charatan.

 

[mingc]

Charlatan

Freudian slip or intentional? ?

 

[telescopes]

Charlatan used a lower grade and higher sulfur content Vulcanite which they imported from the US, according to Ken Barnes, who used to saw the sheets into rods when he worked at Charatan.

It appears to be the case. I have to be mindful of the Sun exposure. I keep them on display, but in a cabinet without any sun exposure.