Pipe Reamer Type

[colcolt]

There are several types of pipe reamers available but I'm not sure which one to get. One is the Senior tool and the other looks more like a spade at the end. From what I've read one is for a U-shaped pipe bowl and the other for a V-shape. I can't tell from the ones I have which is which. I have a Winslow and Nording and recently required meer which I don't what to try and ream...not that that one needs it. The other two, well-I'm not sure if the Senior would work for both. Can someone enlighten me?
I probably should have posted this on another forum...maybe pipe repair and maintenance where there is a similar thread going. Should have checked first.

 

[schmitzbitz]

The "spade" style I suspect is a Castleford type reamer. These do work very well (I use one myself) however there is one major drawback. There is a whole lot more variety in tobacco burning chambers than the four blade sizes provided.

As I'm not experienced with the Senior Reamer, I'll leave someone else to weigh in on it.
That said, there is a third option (ok, so there are really several more; but I'm not writing an essay on reamers) that is quite cheap, easy to use, and will fit any chamber size and shape. Sandpaper. Simply wrap a piece of sandpaper around a dowel (or your thumb), and carefully slough off the excess cake. When I'm using this method, I've found it helps to secure the pipe in a vice, leaving both hands free to work the dowel and ensure it stays straight up and down.

 

[photoman13]

here is a recent thread where the three major ones are discussed a bit.

 

[jndyer]

Second post in two days about reamers. I believe the pipe gods are trying to send me a message.

 

[mp31guitar]

I like the butner style reamer. I have a senior reamer but it doesn't ream all the way to the bottom of the bowl.

 

[colcolt]

I see they heave the Butner style at pipesandcigars. Maybe this is a better bet.
http://store.pipesandcigars.com/pitobrbust.html

 

[ejames]

For my money it's the Castleford style. I sometimes us a KleenReam which is identical to the Senior,it seems to work better in tapered bowls, but I don't have many tapered bowl pipes. Have a couple of the Butner style but never liked them. Found them hard to control and keep straight.

 

[colcolt]

I don't think I have any V-shaped bowls they primarily look like a U if anything. Hard to tell just looking down on the bowl.

 

[photoman13]

Castleford is pretty U shaped.