Kashmir, What Did You Start ????? (Pic Heavy)

[plateauguy]

I was so inspired by Kashmir's post about his Comoys that I decided to try my hand at restoring an estate pipe. I didn't want to invest a lot in case I blew it, so I found this REX for $20.00.
This is before, it was basically sound, but filthy. I took it apart, cleaned, and sterilized it:





These are the during pictures:



Here is the finished product:



Now, after all that work, I hope the pipe is a decent smoker.

 

[roadqueen]

Very nice job! You got quite a shine to it, looks like a fabulous pipe. :clap:

 

[spartan]

Why does it look like the stem is covered with fur?
She cleaned up nicely. Light her up!

 

[cigrmaster]

Nice work, hope it smokes great for you.

 

[plateauguy]

The only markings on the pipe are: Made in London England - 28 - REX Natural. The stem is a very dark graphite grey, with very, very light swirls.
Thanks for the encouragement!

 

[foggymountain]

The fur on the stem is just from an older digital camera. If I might suggest, a macro lens and bigger sensor would make a heck of a difference.

 

[kashmir]

Nice refurb plateauguy! Let us know how she smokes. A ream, a retort, and a half gallon of Grain Alcohol, not to mention the wife's yearly supply of Q-tips, and Bam! - a restored estate. These old pipes have stories to tell and ghosts to be rid of. But well worth the effort. Especially if they were picked up cheap. Don't forget to check out Steve Laug's blog called Reborn Pipes. He's the master from which all restorers spring:
http://rebornpipes.wordpress.com/about/

 

[pruss]

Nice job there plateauguy! Way to go on the refurb.
Lookin' forward to seeing more of your work.
-- Pat

 

[plateauguy]

Just figured out why the pictures had a blur to them. I have a nice little Canon digital that is always set on Auto for focus (you're talking to a guy who's first camera was a 1959 Kodak Brownie w/flash attachment). Somehow the focus had been moved, it's now back on Auto.

 

[jah76]

That's a good looking bulldog. Definitely one of my favorite shapes. Enjoy!

 

[mso489]

I think the day I find an appealing pipe at a yard sale or resale shop of some kind is

the day I'll feel compelled to do some pipe rehab. So far, maintaining my stable of

pipes bought new (but smoked long in many cases) is enough. But when I stumble

across that first "estate pipe," you've show me the way to start! Thank you.

 

[ssjones]

Very nice, reminiscent of the Comoys 549, a classic shape!

 

[plateauguy]

I was "iffy" on used pipes for a long time. Something about putting someone else's pipe in my mouth.
After seeing Kashmir's Comoys, and his referrals to great websites, I was willing to give it a try. Thanks again, Kashmir - you've unleashed a monster!

 

[peckinpahhombre]

Yeah, Kashmir starts a lot of trouble on here. He made me buy one of those Negoita Conducts some time back because he was flaunting that gorgeous pipe on this forum. I still plan to own is Comoy set and I'm currently in the process of bribing his wife to pack the set up and send it to me.

 

[kashmir]

Estate pipes are where its at for me. For a lot of reasons. Like GL Pease wrote in one of his articles a while back, the ones that come down to us through the ages represent the best smokers. Their lesser brethren having long turned into compost in some long forgotten landfill. These old pipes come seasoned, and in my opinion, once cleaned up, make great smokers. If you're into English cut pipes, there's a lot of fine briar out there, for relatively little money. My best smokers are estates. Like these Comoys, all bought for less than $100 each, on EBay over the years.
Comoy's Tradition square shanked panneled billiard #533

Comoy's Tradition Canadian #296

Comoy's London Prude Lovat #212

Comoy's large billiard #127

 

[cortezattic]

Nice job rescuing that bulldog, plateauguy! :clap:

Thanks for the pix too!
Also, thanks for the link, kashmir. I think you did start something here.

Those Comoys are indeed inspiring.