Thank you Gubbles... they were in pretty good shape when I got them, just needed a little cleaning up and wax.
Pilgrim,
No, I think what you did is absolutely fine. Loosening the cake with alcohol is a good idea if the cake will coume off easily like in your case. Most of us need to use a reamer if the cake is really hard and that might at times cause some of the briar to be taken off, which is not much of an issue except having to 'condition' the pipe all over again. Happy puffing on your newly cleaned up pipe
Pilgrim,
No, I think what you did is absolutely fine. Loosening the cake with alcohol is a good idea if the cake will coume off easily like in your case. Most of us need to use a reamer if the cake is really hard and that might at times cause some of the briar to be taken off, which is not much of an issue except having to 'condition' the pipe all over again. Happy puffing on your newly cleaned up pipe