Newb pipe questions

[longhunter]

So i just bought a pipe and it says "sportsman imported briar" inside the stem the is this metal awl like item and im not sure what it is. Will try to post pics. Thanks

 

[jeepnewbie]

Those are used to help cool the smoke on some pipes, they don't work that great some says and pull them out. They do tend to get in the way if your smoke gets a bit wet and starts to gurgle and you try to run a cleaner down the stem.
Personally I leave mine in the pipe as I like them being the way I bought them.
BTW welcome to the forums.

 

[longhunter]

That should work. Thanks for the insight as well as the welcomd

 

[nsfisher]

I toss em. To each their own.

 

[spartan]

If I understood what you're describing correctly, what you have is a stinger.
Sometimes helpful, sometimes a pain in your Ass.

 

[fadingdaylight]

Ive ditched the stingers I found, my first pipe had one too. The shopowner threw it out for me. Never missed it.

 

[fnord]

Several years ago nsfisher told me that stingers weren't worth the time or effort to keep shiny.
He was right.
Another piper told me to keep them - in case of a sale or trade - and I do have them in a plastic sandwich bag tucked away in a smoking drawer.
But I couldn't match them today with the original pipe.
My apologies to any of you guys who end up with my "estate" burners.
Fnord

 

[longhunter]

From what i am reading,how would i go about pulling it out? Thanks

 

[pruss]

Hey there longhunter. The inner tube style "stinger" you're describing often just pulls right out of the stem with a pair of pliers and a steady hand. If it doesn't come out with a firm, but gentle, pull then consider warming the stem slightly with a hair dryer or warm water in your sink. Once you've warmed the ebonite up a bit, try pulling it out again. If it still won't come out, you could always cut the offending aluminum off. Note that cutting it off will devalue it on re-sale.
Good luck,
-- Pat

 

[longhunter]

Thanks!