Minor Problem with an Old Pipe

[Fransenn]

EDIT: Fixed Capitalization in Title (See Rule 9)

Hi! I am a quite the beginner when smoking pipe. I really enjoy it tho. But I bought this old pipe and the part I place my mouth on is very sour. And i have no idea how to get rid of it. I got this pipe because my main pipe is quite large and I would like to use this one when I'm not at home because it is smaller and dont take as much space. The mouth part of the small pipe also have this wierd steel screw thingy that I assume is for tar to not get through as easily. But thanks for quick answers! With kindly hellos from me!

 

[mso489]

The weird screw thingy is called a stinger, and it sounds like it is also what screws the stem (mouthpiece) to the briar/wood of the pipe. It sounds like the pipe needs a good cleaning all around. Hot water and a good many pipe cleaners should clear out most of the staleness, for starters. More methods are described in videos and on other threads. A smaller corn cob pipe might also serve the purpose if the pipe doesn't clean up to your satisfaction. Welcome aboard.

 

[lightmybriar]

The sourness may be due to oxidation of the stem. Is it black, or has it discolored? Removing oxidation is a bit of a task, but there are a lot of resources here to help with that.

 

[Fransenn]

The weird screw thingy is called a stinger, and it sounds like it is also what screws the stem (mouthpiece) to the briar/wood of the pipe. It sounds like the pipe needs a good cleaning all around. Hot water and a good many pipe cleaners should clear out most of the staleness, for starters. More methods are described in videos and on other threads. A smaller corn cob pipe might also serve the purpose if the pipe doesn't clean up to your satisfaction. Welcome aboard.

The weird screw thingy is called a stinger, and it sounds like it is also what screws the stem (mouthpiece) to the briar/wood of the pipe. It sounds like the pipe needs a good cleaning all around. Hot water and a good many pipe cleaners should clear out most of the staleness, for starters. More methods are described in videos and on other threads. A smaller corn cob pipe might also serve the purpose if the pipe doesn't clean up to your satisfaction. Welcome aboard.

Thanks for the quick answer and explanations of the parts. I will definitely try to clean it up more than I have already done. But I have never enjoyed smoking on a corn cob pipe. I just really like the feeling of wood. And thanks again!

 

[Chasing Embers]

The sourness may be due to oxidation of the stem.

That's what I was thinking too.

 

[Fransenn]

The sourness may be due to oxidation of the stem. Is it black, or has it discolored? Removing oxidation is a bit of a task, but there are a lot of resources here to help with that.

I dont know the original colour of the stem but it is brown now and looks to be as it should. but oxidation sounds like that could be the problem here. What I know of it is that it have been laying around for 4 years in a shop by the sea. Thanks for the quick answer.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I dont know the original colour of the stem but it is brown now and looks to be as it should. but oxidation sounds like that could be the problem here. What I know of it is that it have been laying around for 4 years in a shop by the sea. Thanks for the quick answer.

An oxidized stem can look natural, but they give off a nasty sulphur taste. Once cleaned up they are right as rain.?

 

[Fransenn]

An oxidized stem can look natural, but they give off a nasty sulphur taste. Once cleaned up they are right as rain.?

View attachment 25392

Thanks alot this is most certainly the problem because sulfur is the only taste on that pipe and the stem looks exactly like the stem on the left! Do you know any posts or videos on how to fix it?

 

[Chasing Embers]

Thanks alot this is most certainly the problem because sulfur is the only taste on that pipe and the stem looks exactly like the stem on the left! Do you know any posts or videos on how to fix it?

There are many on YouTube, but on that one I just used Magic Erasers, Barkeeper's Friend, and toothpaste. The same effect can be reached with sandpaper, micromesh, and many other methods. I currently use a lighter and a wet paper towel to remove the oxidation and polish the stem with toothpaste as I did on this one.

 

[mikethompson]

Late to the party as usual, but cleaning up a stem is a relatively easy thing to do with simple things you probably already have.

Be very careful though, as cleaning leads to getting more pipes to clean, which leads to a whole new hobby!