My two most recent refurbs.

[mawnansmiff]

Hello folks, below are two pipes I picked out of my latest box of estates to refurbish. I chose these to work on first mainly because I like their shapes but also because as time was limited, they didn't require too much work.
The first is a Vauen Bruyere Extra 3102 (strictly speaking in the wrong forum as it's a German pipe) hexagonal pipe that looks rather elegant with its long slender stem and small brass ferule. The second is a Barling Londoner 489S brandy with rather striking grain.
There are two adjustments that I might make in the near future, the first is to darken the stain on the Vauen and the other is possibly cutting in a bevel to the inner bowl top of the Londoner. There is plenty of briar there so I may well tackle that first.
Neither stem has been waxed here (only buffed with white diamond) though the stummels have been. Apologies for the dust, it seems that pipes are highly charged with static straight after a trip to the buffer!
Vauen before...

Vauen after...

Barling Londoner before...

Barling Londoner after...

I have a further 50 or so estates that arrived this week (on top of all the others previously purchased)so be warned...I will be assaulting your eyes again in the near future ::
Regards,
Jay.

 

[papipeguy]

Stunning work. I can't wait to see the rest.

 

[agnosticpipe]

Yup, never get tired of seeing restored pipes. Nice job on both!

 

[dmcmtk]

Jay, lovely paneled straight Prince. The band is brass?

 

[jackswilling]

+1 Never get tired of before and after threads. Great job.

 

[mawnansmiff]

Thanks for the kind words chaps. Though I have only been refurbishing (as opposed to restoring) pipes for a short time it really has become my main way of occupying my day and I thoroughly enjoy it. With my newly acquired buffing setup things have moved up a gear! I always knew that I could improve on what I was doing and having a buffer really has helped a great deal. If I have no distractions I can manage two pipes per day. The only downside is that my 'for sale' box of pipes is brimming full to overflowing That said, I have spoken to a local (ish) chap who has a craftstall and he is interested in selling some for me which will be great.
Dave, alas yes it is brass..or at least am pretty sure it is, it has no hallmarks or any other marks unfortunately.
Got some real stunners (plus many so so pipes) in amongst my latest lot so watch this space folks ::
Regards,
Jay.

 

[ejames]

Nice Jay ! I love the shape of that Vauen !!

 

[danielplainview]

Nicely done!

 

[mso489]

Elegant grain on both of these pipes, and the panel shape is outstanding. I'm interested in the refurbish versus restoration language. These pipes look great. How do the two differ (refurbish and restore)?

 

[jpmcwjr]

I'll take a crack at that: To me, refurbishing is cleaning stummel, stem and chamber; buffing, polishing, reaming if required. Restoration includes the former, but will have some aspect(s) of repair involved.
In any event, whatever Jay is doing is very nice work!

 

[tinsel]

excellent work and two beautiful pipes there.

 

[mawnansmiff]

Regards refurbishing/restoring, my take on it is restoration is exactly that, restoring something to its former state. Refurbishing I would say is pretty much what Dave says above but differs from restoration as the work involved was solely to make the item useable though not exactly as it was when new.
I feel the distinction is important as I would not want to sell a pipe as restored only for the new owner to complain that the shade of stain is somewhat darker or the bowl is 1mm shorter than an example he saw in a collection or whatever. My main aim is to make a pipe smokeable again by whatever means I have available, not to replicate a museum piece!
Regards,
Jay.

 

[jpmcwjr]

...pretty much what Dave says above...

But very interested in what Dave might say about it.
Dave said, "nicely done!"..... My name is John!

 

[mawnansmiff]

Many apologies John, I mistook your avatar for Dave's avatar. I should have looked close at the name.
Regards,
Jay.

 

[mso489]

Good clarity on refurbishing. Similarly, I don't consider what I do with tobaccos as blending, since I'm not using pressure, heat or other processes, or aging. So I just call it mixing, and some of the results are quite pleasing. Also, I hope there is some humility in the good sense and perspective in these distinctions.