Pipe Buried for Five Years: What to Do?

[Imma_Little_Teapot]

The title was edited for caps an brevity. Original: "Found favorite pipe buried for 5 years; just found...what to do?"


My favorite pipe is a relatively straightforward Peterson Rosalare 106 (I think it was that number). Basic billiard but between the finish, the silver band and orange-ish stem it's just perfect. In fact, I liked it so much that I purchased 2 (one as a backup) about 8 years ago. I smoked one for a few years, keeping the other in unused condition, until I lost the user. I couldn't bring myself to put the backup into rotation so just used my other pipes. Earlier today, while digging piers for a new deck, my contractor found the lost Peterson. It's in surprisingly good condition. The stain remains, though dulled. Any wax is gone and the stummel has slight pitting. I was able to remove the stem with a bit of effort. I had thought to weigh the other one I have against the new one to get an idea of how much moisture it absorbed, but wonder of the utility of doing so.

From an aesthetic perspective, a sanding, restaining and waxing appears to be all that is needed, but I am curious if I should let it dry before doing any of this? Are its smoking days over? Would a professional restoration be of any benefit? I would certainly appreciate any perspectives on how to approach, if feasible, bringing the pipe back into smoking condition.

 

[woodsroad]

Pix would help, especially a side-by-side with it's identical twin.

On the whole, I'd say wash it off in warm water and detergent to get the dirt off and let it sit for a couple of weeks just to be sure it is dry. Then wax and buff and see if you like the results. If not, there are several very competent restorers (like our own @georged) who can cure just about any ills.

 

[huntertrw]

...there are several very competent restorers (like our own @georged) who can cure just about any ills.

If anyone can bring this pipe back from five years in the grave it would be georged!

 

[kcghost]

Well, if he would do it. It seems like the best course is to clean the pipe, do a light buffing staying away from any logos or silver marks. and see what it looks like. If it seems okay, then smoke a bowl in it. If it seems okay you can then decide to keep it and continue to smoke or send it out for a true restoration. If it is not you have another problem: To have the pipe repaired or to retire it.

 

[bullet08]

Where was it exactly found? On the ground? In water? Was it sheltered from rain? It's a tough wood. As long as it wasn't submerged in water, I bet it's pretty much in a good shape. Clean it up, let it rest for few weeks and do a test smoke.

 

[seanv]

Dad's pipes in Ontario would do a great job. Worth a look

 

[georged]

On the whole, I'd say wash it off in warm water and detergent to get the dirt off and let it sit for a couple of weeks just to be sure it is dry. Then wax and buff and see if you like the results.

This is The Way ^^^^^

 

[didimauw]

My favorite pipe is a relatively straightforward Peterson Rosalare 106 (I think it was that number). Basic billiard but between the finish, the silver band and orange-ish stem it's just perfect. In fact, I liked it so much that I purchased 2 (one as a backup) about 8 years ago. I smoked one for a few years, keeping the other in unused condition, until I lost the user. I couldn't bring myself to put the backup into rotation so just used my other pipes. Earlier today, while digging piers for a new deck, my contractor found the lost Peterson. It's in surprisingly good condition. The stain remains, though dulled. Any wax is gone and the stummel has slight pitting. I was able to remove the stem with a bit of effort. I had thought to weigh the other one I have against the new one to get an idea of how much moisture it absorbed, but wonder of the utility of doing so.

From an aesthetic perspective, a sanding, restaining and waxing appears to be all that is needed, but I am curious if I should let it dry before doing any of this? Are its smoking days over? Would a professional restoration be of any benefit? I would certainly appreciate any perspectives on how to approach, if feasible, bringing the pipe back into smoking condition.

A good internal cleaning of your choice of alcohol, and a light scrubbing with water on the outside. Smokeable. Id rather smoke a pipe of mine that was burried in the ground than someone elses old pipe.

And yes we would like pictures of its current state please.

 

[Imma_Little_Teapot]

Where was it exactly found? On the ground? In water? Was it sheltered from rain? It's a tough wood. As long as it wasn't submerged in water, I bet it's pretty much in a good shape. Clean it up, let it rest for few weeks and do a test smoke.

It was buried in dirt, under a deck, so exposed to constant contact with water.

I like the idea of sample/control pics. I'll get that up later today or tomorrow. Perhaps even stummel weights as well.

For the time being I figured I'd treat it like water logged electronics and put it in a container with rice (uncooked, lol). Since last night the rice is noticeably wet; quite surprising, actually.

I appreciate all the kind feedback. A wait and see approach for the next couple of weeks seems reasonable. I do kind of like the minor pitting its experienced being buried but would like it re-stained and waxed. We'll see. Worst case I send it out for some professional R&R; otherwise I think it has a new, great story to be told. Now if I could only find that watch I lost....

 

[AroEnglish]

It was buried in dirt, under a deck, so exposed to constant contact with water.

I like the idea of sample/control pics. I'll get that up later today or tomorrow. Perhaps even stummel weights as well.

For the time being I figured I'd treat it like water logged electronics and put it in a container with rice (uncooked, lol). Since last night the rice is noticeably wet; quite surprising, actually.

I appreciate all the kind feedback. A wait and see approach for the next couple of weeks seems reasonable. I do kind of like the minor pitting its experienced being buried but would like it re-stained and waxed. We'll see. Worst case I send it out for some professional R&R; otherwise I think it has a new, great story to be told. Now if I could only find that watch I lost....

It would be cool to break out the backup and smoke them side by side with the same blend and see if you notice any differences.

 

[sittingbear]

The weathered look could be kinda cool if was refurbished right...

 

[AroEnglish]

It would be cool to break out the backup and smoke them side by side with the same blend and see if you notice any differences.

If you don’t smoke them side by side at least post some pics. This pipe is already legendary in my mind.

 

[ThermionicScott]

Remember that they have to dig briar out of the ground to make pipes in the first place. Just clean it, disinfect it, and smoke it. Everything will be fine.

And, pictures already!

 

[mikethompson]

I once left a cob on the roof of my house, and it was no worse for wear. I'm sure a hardened briar pipe would fair pretty well.

In for the pics though!

 

[jpmcwjr]

Photos asap! Washing it with dish detergent and warm water is all you need. A long slow dying time to reduce risk of cracking.

 

[anotherbob]

It was buried in dirt, under a deck, so exposed to constant contact with water.

I like the idea of sample/control pics. I'll get that up later today or tomorrow. Perhaps even stummel weights as well.

For the time being I figured I'd treat it like water logged electronics and put it in a container with rice (uncooked, lol). Since last night the rice is noticeably wet; quite surprising, actually.

I appreciate all the kind feedback. A wait and see approach for the next couple of weeks seems reasonable. I do kind of like the minor pitting its experienced being buried but would like it re-stained and waxed. We'll see. Worst case I send it out for some professional R&R; otherwise I think it has a new, great story to be told. Now if I could only find that watch I lost....

now I want to know how it got there.

 

[Ahi Ka]

It would be cool to break out the backup and smoke them side by side with the same blend and see if you notice any differences.

They would smoke the same…now whether that’s praise for Peterson pipes or not is another matter

 

[Briar Lee]

My daughter once left a Kaywoodie in a bucket of tack in a horse stable under a downspout, where it was soaked for over a year by the runoff.

It was completely black and waterlogged.

She was apologetic and I said the Kaywoodie would be fine after it dried out, and that was a sign I had too many pipes not to miss one for a year.

The truth was the pipe was ruined. Even years after it had dried completely out it lacked zest and flavor.

I hope your experience is different.

 

[jpmcwjr]

And it's possible the (unconscious) mind determines such an outcome well before it's re-smoked.

I've read of pipes submerged for years that turned out to become great smokers. One's mileage varies.

 

[Briar Lee]

And it's possible the (unconscious) mind determines such an outcome well before it's re-smoked.

I've read of pipes submerged for years that turned out to become great smokers. One's mileage varies.

The pipe was a pre war Super Grain #13

Estate Kaywoodie #13 Super Grain Pipe | eBay

Estate Kaywoodie #13 Super Grain pipe, is used but in good condition. Overall, a nice pipe.

www.ebay.com

I have four other 13s.

It was clean downspout water.

The other tack articles I salvaged just fine.

Briar dries an inch a year, so I left it over a heat register a year. No longer coal black, it smoked heavy, is all I can describe it.

Then I found a place on a screened porch to dry it more. Another year and it was bit browner, still smoked heavy.

I have it somewhere in my milk barn, for maybe ten years. I’ll see if it’s improved any.


It wasn’t a bad smoke, just no longer a good one.

It smoked heavy, and the goodie was all gone.