Pipe Cleaners?

[HopHand]

I never would've imagined when I started this journey just exactly how fast I would burn up pipe cleaners or how much they could vary from brand to brand. Heck I wasn't really even aware they came in the none colored art project variety. That said It's time once again to order more and considering how awful some of my previous selections turned out. I figure I better ask.
What brand and what seller does everybody recommend? Cause if I end up with more as awful as the ones that came with my last warden I may pull out my hair.
Looking for both standard length and long warden length.

 

[Chasing Embers]

art project variety

Chenille sticks aren't absorbent and won't clean a pipe.

What brand and what seller does everybody recommend?

I buy BJ Longs by the box at SPC. They're available in several lengths as well as extra fluffy, tapered, and bristled.

 

[jewman22]

I use ZEN, can get bundles on amazon. They do the job quite well.

 

[Andriko]

I don't know if you can get them in the US, but I've been using White Elephant (bristled and smooth) and they seem to be quite good. I also give the bowl a quick going over with the Neerup metal brush pipe cleaner which also seems to help.

Like you, the sheer amount of pipe cleaners I would get through was one thing I hadn't anticipated when I started pipe cleaning, and it is quite shocking just how crap some brands can be (one thinks that a bit of fluff on a stick is hardly cutting edge tech, but who knows).

 

[newbroom]

When I started I was really stingy with my pipe cleaners and tobacco,
I've learned to buy quantities of both and not worry about it.
BJ Long's are fine. The bristle ones bend more easily, but they probably do that so that the bristles are not going to destroy what they contact.

 

[Dudditz]

BJ Longs are my go to. Never an issue and pretty cheap in bulk.

 

[captpat]

I think White Elephants are better than BJ Long. Recent BJ Long purchases have shown to be cotton lint shedders and the wire is less sturdy and cannot be forced all the way to the bowl. The trend over several years is not good IMO. BJ Longs are however less expensive...

 

[Jwebb90]

Like @Chasing Embers, I buy BJ Longs by the box.

 

[WVOldFart]

BJ Longs. They are inexpensive and do the job. When you consider the goo and moisture that they collect that you would inhale, they are worth every penny.

 

[Morrison Jeremiah]

For standard length, White Elephant.
Don't use churchwardens, so can't advise there.

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

Just a tip, watch what you are clicking! I now have a box of more 9mm filters than I could use in a lifetime (and one would have been too many, lol) - so returning that and getting my pipe cleaners.

 

[Dublin Old Man]

I use Vauen and White Elephant. Both have similar good construction: sturdy wire that does not collapse when pushed into stem and no shedding.

The odd thing is that they both have inconsistent diameters but I sort the small ones for smaller pipe stems and leave the larger diameters for my larger pipes. I need to trim a few Vauen thick ends with scissors because they are too thick.

 

[didimauw]

Chenille sticks aren't absorbent and won't clean a pipe.



I buy BJ Longs by the box at SPC. They're available in several lengths as well as extra fluffy, tapered, and bristled.

You can buy them by the box??? How?!?!?

Not that I use them often, but don't want to be without! Trying to be more cleanly about my smoking. Still have 6-800 of them, but I should buy more.

 

[bullet08]

BJ Longs from Amazon in 600 count.

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

Just ordered some BJ Longs and some White Elephants - we'll compare!

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

BJ Longs regular.

 

[HopHand]

I think White Elephants are better than BJ Long. Recent BJ Long purchases have shown to be cotton lint shedders and the wire is less sturdy and cannot be forced all the way to the bowl. The trend over several years is not good IMO. BJ Longs are however less expensive...

Glad somebody said this. I was starting to think with everybody recommending them the shedding was supposed to be normal. I ordered some BJ long a few weeks ago and they leave behind fluff behind like mad. Something my Generic Amazon brand didn't do.

 

[HopHand]

Just ordered some BJ Longs and some White Elephants - we'll compare!

Let us know how that goes will ya. Thank you.

 

[Scottishgaucho]

Pipe cleaners cost a fortune here especially as they only come in small packets. Being a stingy sod I asked a female friend of the wife if she ever buys her kids the Chinese multicoloured ones to play with. Couple of weeks later she presented me with a gift of some. As they're very long I cut them in half so I made double the amount.
They work fine, the only negative being you have to be more gentle when pushing them through as they're not as strong. I sometimes dip them in the rum I drink which makes them do an even better job.

It has to be said I'm not fastidious when it comes to pipe cleaning.

 

[cigrmaster]

Every time I mention that I am using a certain product it gets back ordered quite quickly. I know guys I give great advice and you can't live without it so until I have sufficient quantitates my advice column is on hold. Not to worry you know me and I will be totally stocked in a day or two. Keep your eyes on this thread as life changing info is not long away.