Openness And Modification

[cigrmaster]

I prefer my pipes to be 4.0-4.3 mm. I have never opened or altered a pipe myself as I don't even own a drill. I buy pipes from makers who I trust and have had great expereience with. I bought an estate Tonni Nielson and it was too tight so I had my buddy Zack who is a pipe maker open it up for me and it smokes great now. I have no intentions of selling it but if I did, I would certainly tell whoever that I did have it altered. I bought the pipe based on a recommendation from a guy who loves Tonni's pipes, he might like a smaller opening, I don't so I would not buy another pipe from that maker. I have found over the years that some of the Danish artisans, do make their shank dimensions smaller than say Italian or American makers, it is the reason I no longer own any. They do not fit my smoking style so it is no big deal. Obviously there are plenty of people who do enjoy them.

 

[gloucesterman]

I suspect many are right in asserting there are probably far more "modified" pipes on the estate market than we realize. More often than not what I find is that if properly restored most quality pipes smoke well. Over time the airflow becomes restricted because of build up. Solve that problem and modification isn't really necessary. There are those cases where the original design just isn't right and needs to be fixed but opening the air flow isn't always the answer in fact it can destroy a pipe. Personally I think it's something to be left to experienced repairmen. Getting it right isn't as simple as running a bigger drill bit through it. If it's an old rat you bought to experiment on, well have at it. After all, what's the harm? But if it a pipe of any consequence it's not something that should be attempted by the inexperienced.