Obsidian Oil?
- Thread starter RudyH
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A tiny bit of toothpaste will clean them right up. You’re on a world record thread pace!
A little mineral oil wiped onto the stem with a cloth after a smoke helps to keep them from oxidizing in the first place. Don't leave your vulcanite stems in direct sunlight. Toothpaste for removing oxidation. Obsidian oil is mineral oil with a bit of perfume added to it. It has a nice aroma if you like that sort of thing.
I have been using nothing but Obidisian Stem Oil on my high quality German Vulcanite stems for a decade or more. The stuff is liquid gold.
I wipe a coat on the stem and leave it until I am ready to smoke that pipe again. I rub it off with a handi wipe and and my stems look brand new. It will not work for shit on the high sulfur stems from the old Upshalls or Savinelli's. I buy 8-10 bottles at a time and it always lasts a year or more. I never use mineral oil as it just doesn't do the job that Obidisian does in my experience.
I wipe a coat on the stem and leave it until I am ready to smoke that pipe again. I rub it off with a handi wipe and and my stems look brand new. It will not work for shit on the high sulfur stems from the old Upshalls or Savinelli's. I buy 8-10 bottles at a time and it always lasts a year or more. I never use mineral oil as it just doesn't do the job that Obidisian does in my experience.
ive been thinking of doing this. What is the longest you have left the oil on your stems?
I recommend it to prevent vulcanite stems from tarnishing. That or mineral oil. Some people swear by chapstick. More importantly, keep your vulcanite away from light, even indirect light. That'the best way to keep them shiny.
I use Obsidian oil because it has UV blockers. Also, it's made by forum member @hauntedmyst and I like to support a fellow pipe smoker. I think the instructions say to wipe off after 30 mins, but I've left it in overnight with no ill effect.
I don’t follow every rule Harry Hosterman taught me, while squatted on his haunches under the oak tree that still shades my father’s milk barn.
Harry kept his stems clean with olive oil and steel wool.
But I knew Harry would have used grapeseed oil, instead of olive oil, if Wilda Mae had that instead of olive oil in her kitchen.
While you might think Ozark Americans are regressive, hide bound conservatives the opposite is often true.
Harry used to talk about how much work using a cross cut two man saw was in Spout Spring Hollow, and I asked him when he and his father got their first chainsaw.
Harry quick as a wink he replied the first one I ever saw for sale.
I use Obsidian oil for stems.
It’s the best.
Harry Hosterman would approve!
Harry kept his stems clean with olive oil and steel wool.
But I knew Harry would have used grapeseed oil, instead of olive oil, if Wilda Mae had that instead of olive oil in her kitchen.
While you might think Ozark Americans are regressive, hide bound conservatives the opposite is often true.
Harry used to talk about how much work using a cross cut two man saw was in Spout Spring Hollow, and I asked him when he and his father got their first chainsaw.
Harry quick as a wink he replied the first one I ever saw for sale.
I use Obsidian oil for stems.
It’s the best.
Harry Hosterman would approve!
Yeah it's good stuff. If I use it regularly I definitely notice a distinctive difference between using it and mineral oil. It's definitely mineral oil-based, and I'm pretty sure any oil-based protective barrier will protect from oxidation, but it's really good stuff.
Means his partner was 'leaning' on the saw. Gotta watch that...
If you like logging stories, look up 'Don't Call Me Ma' by Sam Churchill.
In 1978 my mother had me clean out an old granary and I found the family cross cut saw in the attic.
The only thing to do was take it straight over to the Hostermans, and Harry’s father remembered setting and sharpening it for my grandfather.
They pronounced it serviceable, and me and a friend went over to a small timber patch and used it to saw up most of one oak tree.
We finished up the tree with a chainsaw.
Cross cut saws, are a lot of work.
Same here. I use obsidian oil also.
When I restore a pipe or clean it thoughougly I also buff the stem with carnubua wax.
I've noticed a trend of stems that I've burned the oxidation off of not reoxidizing. I wonder if they are somehow chemically changed.
Good point. I would imagine age and previous oxidation could possibly do something to it.
