Medico VFQ- Saving an Old Pipe

[gmwolford]

I picked up this old pipe to experiment on, really. But it turned into a "Save This Old Pipe" restoration effort. It really came out quite well, despite some surprises along the way. And the experiments were of good, usable info for me, too. And best of all - it smokes really well! ::


The full write up and lots of photos can be found here

 

[rangerearthpig]

Wow! That pipe really cleaned up well. Love that redwood look!! Great job.

 

[agnosticpipe]

Congrats on a really nice restoration! I'm a big fan of low grade pipe adventures. Old inexpensive pipes can turn out to be great smokers.

 

[kibo]

Congrats! As the very happy owner of a couple of late '50s-early '60s Medicos, I can certainly appreciate the efforts you put into making this beauty shine....and boy does it shine. Lovely pipe you have there, that red is dynamic and sleek. If yours smokes as nice for you as mine are to me, then you certainly have a champion!

 

[ejames]

Great job Greg! I like the VFQ's.

 

[tuold]

Very nice! I love my old Medicos.

 

[gmwolford]

Thanks, gents. I've only gotten to smoke it once so far but it seems promising! I, too, love the "old guys"- they have a character to them IMHO.

 

[voorhees]

Nice work, I recently picked up a NOS Medico VFQ Straight Rhodesian. It has never been smoked and still has the label on the stem. I will post some pics soon.

I also noticed alot of fills on the VFQ (Very Fine Quality correct?)and while I know its a drug store pipe I thought VFQ's were better than standard Medicos.

I am planning on donating it to Dave for the Free Pipe Project. It should smoke just fine even with the fills.

 

[gmwolford]

I also noticed alot of fills on the VFQ (Very Fine Quality correct?)and while I know its a drug store pipe I thought VFQ's were better than standard Medicos.

I think they started off as better quality but over time declined; they even make a Brylon VFQ. If you catch an older one they are more likely to be better quality; they range from pre-1965 to present day production.

I am planning on donating it to Dave for the Free Pipe Project

I'm not familiar with this - time to do some searches I reckon. :puffpipe:

 

[voorhees]

This one seems older, how old? Not sure.
shaintiques is an active member here and has been a great person in the pipe community to help new smokers who maybe have only a couple of pipes. Helps build up their rotation.

 

[gmwolford]

shaintiques is an active member here and has been a great person in the pipe community to help new smokers who maybe have only a couple of pipes. Helps build up their rotation.

I had forgotten shaintiques was Dave; I know who you mean now.
I also searched out the thread and it's a very honorable, and seems quite successful, undertaking that I applaud. :clap:

 

[ejames]

Nice work, I recently picked up a NOS Medico VFQ Straight Rhodesian. It has never been smoked and still has the label on the stem. I will post some pics soon.

I also noticed alot of fills on the VFQ (Very Fine Quality correct?)and while I know its a drug store pipe I thought VFQ's were better than standard Medicos.

Looking at some old Medico ads,I'd say the VFQ is a mid range pipe,priced less than the the Crest,Magnet Top,Guardian,and the Jet.

 

[gmwolford]

Looking at some old Medico ads,I'd say the VFQ is a mid range pipe,priced less than the the Crest,Magnet Top,Guardian,and the Jet.

That's interesting Ed. Are the ones you listed in general a good list of top down quality in Medicos? I had an old Frank I restored and ended up gifting away (wish I'd kept it) that was a great smoker and had a vulcanite stem. I imagine it was fairly old. Do you know anything about those?

 

[redbeard]

Very cool, and wonderful job Greg. My grandma gave me a squashed tomato VFQ that belonged to my grandpa a a few months back and the stem coloring is pretty cool. I was doubtful myself about the stem being Cumberland but I really didn't know for sure due to lack of experience. Hope it proves to be a great smoker for you.