Old Horn Stems: Dos and Don'ts

[trubka2]

I'm cleaning up an old pipe with a horn stem that I picked up recently. I have no experience with horn stems, and I haven't found much information on how to restore/clean them (rebornpipes has info on filling in toothmarks and polishing, but not general rules of thumb). For example, the stem is stuck, and I'm not sure if it's OK to put it in the freezer like usual, or if that might split the horn. And I can't tell whether it's got a push tenon or a screw tenon, or which direction the threads would run. And so on. This is a 5-dollar pipe that's super dinged-up. I got it mostly for practice, but I also really like the shape, so I hope I can get it smokable. How much differently should I treat horn than old vulcanite?

 

[dmcmtk]

What makes you think horn? Going by the one picture, it looks like vulcanite. If it is horn, the fridge is ok (I've never had to put a stem in the freezer) a few hours to overnight. Push tenon/screw tenon? Default failsafe is lefty loosey, righty tighty I'd say.

 

[Mr.Pink]

I have never owned a Horn stemmed pipe. Neat

 

[Duke of Erinmore]

I also think yours is old ebonite.

I have recently got an older pipe with a horn stem (and an awesome straight grain btw) and that does look totally different.

 

[mikethompson]

I've heard of horn cracking easier than other materials (there was a reason makers moved off of horn for example), so I'd be weary of extended freezer time.

 

[Papamique]

I own around a hundred straight razors with horn scales. It is a very durable substance but is also natural with a grain. So bleaching and drying can make it brittle. It is a pain to keep clean and beetles tend to chew on the old razor scales.
I have only owned one horn stemmed pipe and I didn’t like it as time went on. It accumulated tooth chatter easily and it stained from the smoke. It was soft in the mouth and a cool novelty though. It was one of the Rupp newer production with a supposedly vintage stummel.

 

[trubka2]

What makes you think horn? Going by the one picture, it looks like vulcanite. If it is horn, the fridge is ok (I've never had to put a stem in the freezer) a few hours to overnight. Push tenon/screw tenon? Default failsafe is lefty loosey, righty tighty I'd say.

Here are a couple more pics in sunlight, one next to an old vulcanite stem for comparison.

 

[FurCoat]

I have an Albertson with a horn stem. Screw on btw. I cleaned it with mild soap and water, worked from 6000 to 12000 grit micro mesh and buffed with carnuba. Turned out great. You can try a lower grit pad to work out the teeth marks but there is risk of damage.