It's a Natural ... PC Peterson On Sale

[mso489]

I'm vulnerable to natural/unfinished pipes, and I've always been lucky with Petersons, so after much deliberation, and deciding I was feeling lucky, I ordered a natural Peterson unfinished D6 Dublin (also seems to be a zulu/yacht) with a nickel band. PC has an array of various brands of natural/unfinished pipes at good prices, but only on sale through Saturday, August 25, 2018. If you enjoy smoking unfinished pipes (until they finish themselves to a nice glow) you might take a look at these, and if you don't trust Peterson and its quality control, there are a number of other other brands including Big Bens, Stanwells, and a number of others. Unfinished pipes are one of the great pleasures of pipe smoking, and I think many would enjoy the experience if you haven't tried them before. Also, I thought this might be the last time I'd see a new Peterson of any kind at $65.69; they seem to have settled in at close to one hundred bucks for a medium size pipe. This is a light weight pipe with a full size bowl, which also appealed to me. Since it isn't stained, dip staining shouldn't be a problem. We shall see. Also this one is spec'd with a Vulcanite stem, if you like those.

 

[timt]

I like unfinished pipes too and currently am smoking one of the cheap Savinelli unfinished you can get for $50-$60 bucks. It's got a crude clunky button that I had to sand the sharp edges off of but it's growing to be one of my favorites. A great pipe for clenching. You're right, it's cool to see these pipes change over time. Thanks for the tip on the Petersons, I'll check them out.

 

[scloyd]

Do natural pipes stain from the smoke, the oils in your hands or both? I like the natural pipes and have considered buying one.

 

[timt]

I’m thinking it’s more oils of the skin.

 

[unkleyoda]

Do natural pipes stain from the smoke, the oils in your hands or both? I like the natural pipes and have considered buying one.

I think it's mainly hand oils and tobacco on your hands from loading your pipe. Either way they color nicely and look great over time.
I have to take a picture of mine, but it's a Peterson XL20 PSOI 2017 limited edition pipe.

This is not mine, but this is the Peterson PSOI 2017 pipe

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I have a natural finished Becker. I watched a Youtube thingy by a female pipesmoker that insisted that the patina finish on these natural pipes came from men being natural pigs with dirty hands (my choice of words, not hers). It led to some flame wars, which is what attracted me to begin with, and then some guys started experimenting with washing their hands after packing their pipes, and reported that their natural finish pipes we not patina'ing like their other pipes smoked with dirty fingers. usually, I wouldn't give a flying fart what my pipes look like, but with this natural finished Becker, I started washing my hands after packing also. The pipe is as light in color as the day I bought it, but yet I smoke the hell out of it. Take it for what it's worth. ::

 

[scloyd]

Hmm...interesting. Thanks for the responses.

 

[anthonyrosenthal74]

I started washing my hands after packing also. The pipe is as light in color as the day I bought it,

I usually wash my hands a few minutes before I handle my pipes. My unfinished pipes are all getting a nice patina.

 

[irishearl]

I would say the ever darkening color comes primarily from the smoke. I have a Shamrock B24 which is a natural and has developed a nice medium-dark brown uniformly. If darkening were due primarily to the oils on fingers, it would not result in uniform coloration.

 

[mso489]

timt, I have that same unfinished Sav panel billiard with saddle stem that I bought from a local pipe shop at the TAPS pipe show several years ago. As to what causes and promotes the development of color change, I think it is quite different from dirty hands. I have a nearly 40-year-old Sav billiard and an only slightly younger zulu, both bought unfinished, and they have developed a decided walnut hue deep glowing finish, different from stain but in some ways more impressive. Yes, I think the oil on hands is part of the formula. I think dirty hands would only stain and smudge the finish, and that isn't this. Part of it is also the tobacco products, tars and oils, slowly permeating the briar, some moisture combined with heat from the pipe and ambient humidity. In other words, it is an interesting process with many components that is pleasingly subtle and mysterious. We are definitely not talking dirty hands here ... or if so, that is a small percent of what is happening, though oil from hands is certainly part of it. Also, it enhances things if you energetically polish the pipe after each smoke, which evens out and brightens the color. I'm telling you, when this works it is magic, not smudgy thumbprints. It takes time, but it definitely happens. Some pipes will burnish better than others, but with patience, time, and a little elbow grease, you'll like the results.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Wood darkens as it's exposed to light- at least unfinished briar does, as well as oils, smoke and handling. Time is a friend, here. Based on seeing several pipes cut in half, it seems unlikely that anything from the chamber gets to the outer walls.

 

[mso489]

jpmcwjr, I've seen the briar pipes sawed in half too, and it seems to eliminate the tars and oils theory. However, I guess it is possible that the heat opens the pores of the briar, and there is some passage of tobacco products that doesn't color unless it reaches the air etc. at the outer surface. As with any aged unfinished wood, it is a combination of factors, whether or not the tobacco products enter into it or not. The way an unfinished table, chair, cane, or cabinet would darken with time, and gain finish if polished with a soft rag with no wax or other product. The tobacco smoke could play into it too, and the rubbing around of residue from the rim. Part of the fun, if that's the right word, is the bloom of this color and brightness without intentional finishing of the pipe. I'm sure it's the pipe elves at work.

 

[timt]

Rubbed it down with a dry cloth.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Based on seeing several pipes cut in half, it seems unlikely that anything from the chamber gets to the outer walls.

Just for those who haven't seen it.

 

[jaytex1969]

Cosmic:

It led to some flame wars, which is what attracted me to begin with...

This explains a lot... :nana:
TimT

Rubbed it down with a dry cloth.

Don'r forget to call it "My Precious" while rubbing for maximum effect!

 

[timt]

Yeah, my kids are a little amused watching me rub a pipe and take it’s picture. :crazy:

 

[mso489]

timt, mighty purdy, you have to admit.

 

[timt]

Pretty surprised at how dark the whole pipe became after I rubbed it. You were exactly right about how well that works. What kind of rag do you use to polish your unfinished pipes? I used a pipe sock that was handy but am thinking of getting a microfiber rag.
I'm looking pretty hard at the unfinished Peterson bent Dublin as the next one start on - not that I need another pipe.

 

[carolinachurchwarden]

I have a Morgan Bones panel pipe and it has only a slight coloration by me alone. Will that thing get dark like the ones above in time?

 

[mso489]

Guys, I didn't go back to check, but I believe this is the last day for the natural/unfinished pipe sale at pipesandcigars. I will mention again that these aren't just Petersons and Savinelli, but several brands, and several series, at good mark-downs. I feel like I'm flacking for PC, but I have really enjoyed my unfinished pipes, have several in various stages of coloration, from various sources, and would encourage Forums members and others to indulge in this experience, for the first or fifteenth time. I think my Peterson zulu with nickel band will arrive next week, an appealingly light weight pipe with an ample medium bowl and a Vulcanite stem. I hope it works out. If you are at all inclined, I think you will appreciate the sale. I believe it was sable' who sent me a jeweler's cloth with both a slightly abrasive (if that's the right word) cloth and a soft cloth, and that has been excellent for the unfinished pipe. For those who don't have this at hand, a new bandana with sizing (stiffener) and worn-out soft t-shirt will provide similar benefits. The depth of the finish on the aged unfinished pipe is "more than" an applied finish, really something.