Kaywoodie Drinkless Clean-up

[FishNChips]

I found this Kaywoodie in a local shop for $6. The burl looked nice and it was just in need of a deep cleaning. The stem was full of tar, I used my ultrasonic cleaner to help clean out all the small ports on the drinkless stem, then alcohol and pipe cleaners/Q tips on the stem and shank.

I reemed the bowl and smoothed out the cake. I soaked the bowl overnight with salt and alcohol, then a good scrub with Murphy’s oil soap.

I sanded and buffed it all out and gave it a good wax. I really like how it came out.

 

[peteguy]

Nice! Rim looks topped or sanded now, maybe work on the stain blending just a bit.

 

[FishNChips]

I didn’t top or sand the top at all, just cleaned the gunk off. Maybe topped by a previous owner? I thought it was factory but have a lot to learn on the brands. I am out of Feibings but need to order some new bottles and will give it a stain to help it match better. I just started restoring a few estate pipes and have a lot to learn on the subject. I have an extensive wood working background but there are definitely some differences in pipe finishes. Best to learn on these old drug store pipes!

 

[peteguy]

Stain must have lightened a bit from the cleaning then. No huge deal, just something I saw.

 

[Briar Lee]

That is a four hole Drinkless marked stinger, four digit shape number Kaywoodie, It’s a $3.50 Drinkless grade, probably made in the 1930s. After 1936 Kaywoodie generally went to three digit shape numbers.

In 1938 the first USA minimum wage act was passed at 25 cents an hour, and that was such a severe raise that millions of workers, mostly in the South, were exempted. But that pipe sold in an era where 50 cents bought a decent briar pipe, and $1 bought an excellent one. A $3.50 pipe was a decadent luxury, during those times.

The briar quality on thirties Kaywoodie pipes was the finest the world will ever see again on a production pipe. Every Drinkless was made from the best plateaux briar, and Kaywoodie secured huge centuries old roots the size of coffee tables, to work with.

Above the $3.50 Drinkless grade was the $5 Super Grain, and after 1937 there was a $10 Flame Grade.

After World War Two, I consider a Lee the finest production pipe in the world, better grade for grade with Kaywoodie's post war pipes.

But pre war Kaywoodies are simply in a class by themselves.

 

[FishNChips]

Thanks Briar Lee, great history. I have been making notes to keep on my phone of what to look for in the shops. I love that 1930s era for culture, clothing and objects. Thats an interesting perspective on the pipe cost as quality!

i appreciate the input Peteguy.

i got some new wax and worked a few more coats into the pipe. The color is darkened more and the luster is really coming out. This will not be my last Kaywoodie!

The shop had some early Yellobole pipes as well but were in a design I did not care for very much. I have so much to learn on what to look for.