Pipes by Lee Soaking Up Oil

[MavErik]

So I have some estate Pipes by Lee that I have refurb’d. Absolutely gorgeous grain by the way on all of them with few fills. I’m sure this is a novice question, but all of them seem to absolutely soak up olive oil after I clean them. I mean seriously soak up. I can add a shine to them and within a few hours the pipe is dry. Other makes I am working on take days to do the same. I keep reapplying and they keep soaking up the oil. Is this a byproduct of the well aged briar or ? Not upset in anyway, just curious.

 

[Sigmund]

Im not sure why you are soaking them in olive oil? Its not needed.

Wax and buff should be all that is needed.

If you want them darker stain, wax and buff.

 

[MavErik]

Im not sure why you are soaking them in olive oil? Its not needed.

Wax and buff should be all that is needed.

If you want them darker stain, wax and buff.

Fair question. I was following some threads that suggested the olive oil prior to buffing. Out of curiosity I keep adding the oil. I don’t do that with the others I’m working on.

I figured it Bill Ashton quite literally soaked his briar in oil, I wasn’t hurting anything…

 

[xrundog]

That’s a dry old piece of wood and the original finish is likely worn off. I’m not surprised it’s soaking up oil. It will do that until it’s saturated. I imagine You’d probably have to apply wax several times before it stays looking the way you want.

 

[PaulRVA]

Olive Oil is for Stems only and Vulcanite stems at that.
Briar should only get a wax and polish if needed and that’s for smooth finishes generally.

 

[Auxsender]

Sure but was the olive oil bottled in Italy or Spain or was it pressed, shipped in a vat, and then bottled in the states?

Did they tell you where it was bottled before you made your purchase?

What is your general sentiment as a consumer about where the olive oil was actually bottled and how well that information was conveyed to you prior to purchase?

 

[MavErik]

Sure but was the olive oil bottled in Italy or Spain or was it pressed, shipped in a vat, and then bottled in the states?

Did they tell you where it was bottled before you made your purchase?

What is your general sentiment as a consumer about where the olive oil was actually bottled and how well that information was conveyed to you prior to purchase?

Wow nice comeback! Court jester up in da house.

 

[sablebrush52]

Fair question. I was following some threads that suggested the olive oil prior to buffing. Out of curiosity I keep adding the oil. I don’t do that with the others I’m working on.

I figured it Bill Ashton quite literally soaked his briar in oil, I wasn’t hurting anything…

Yikes! Oil cured pipes aren't soaked in olive oil. Where the hell are these threads, mouth breathers incorporated?
Oil curing involves flushing briar blocks with oil under heat and pressure to remove sap and other substances. They're not leaving the blocks soaked with oil. That's all sweated out.
Olive oil will go rancid.
I don't know how to undo what you did, but hopefully someone here will know. I suppose you could try baking the suckers.
Good luck!

 

[MavErik]

Yikes! Oil cured pipes aren't soaked in olive oil. Where the hell are these threads, mouth breathers incorporated?
Oil curing involves flushing briar blocks with oil under heat and pressure to remove sap and other substances. They're not leaving the blocks soaked with oil. That's all sweated out.
Olive oil will go rancid.
I don't know how to undo what you did, but hopefully someone here will know.
Good luck!

Well I guess it’s the same places that suggest no Murphys Oil Soap where others say it’s the best stuff to use.

Honestly this is what I love and truly hate about this hobby. There are a thousand opinions and a thousand ways to do something. Honestly I’m not worried about rancidity. But I can start over by cleaning the stummel again. Thanks for the info.

 

[bullet08]

So I have some estate Pipes by Lee that I have refurb’d. Absolutely gorgeous grain by the way on all of them with few fills. I’m sure this is a novice question, but all of them seem to absolutely soak up olive oil after I clean them. I mean seriously soak up. I can add a shine to them and within a few hours the pipe is dry. Other makes I am working on take days to do the same. I keep reapplying and they keep soaking up the oil. Is this a byproduct of the well aged briar or ? Not upset in anyway, just curious.

It's okay to read things. That doesn't mean you have to follow them. "Trust, but verify" is the words to live by. I suggest nuclear centrifuge at high speed in order to get rid of the oil. Not sure if the briar will be "extracted" first.

 

[sablebrush52]

Well I guess it’s the same places that suggest no Murphys Oil Soap where others say it’s the best stuff to use.

Honestly this is what I love and truly hate about this hobby. There are a thousand opinions and a thousand ways to do something. Honestly I’m not worried about rancidity. But I can start over by cleaning the stummel again. Thanks for the info.

Murphy's is controversial, but it is also a "wood" soap, not a hand soap. I used it on the cabinetry in the jewelry store I worked at and man did those cases look great! But, I wouldn't want to be tasting it in my smoke.

Opinions are like assholes, right? But there are also people here, not many of them but some, who are actually expert practitioners, like @georged, who know materials better than anyone else on this forum.

 

[MavErik]

Murphy's is controversial, but it is also a "wood" soap, not a hand soap. I used it on the cabinetry in the jewelry store I worked at and man did those cases look great! But, I wouldn't want to be tasting it in my smoke.

Opinions are like assholes, right? But there are also people here, not many of them but some, who are actually expert practitioners, like @georged, who know materials better than anyone else on this forum.

Excellent point. Nothing like wasting hours of precious time following bad advice. I’m going to stick with professional recommendations and hope everything turns out awesome. Thanks for your input.

 

[Sigmund]

My concern with Murphys is it smells to high heaven. Not in a nasty way but its strong and if it hangs around it would irritate the hell out of me when tasting.

My point is all of these complications are not necessary.

 

[telescopes]

So I have some estate Pipes by Lee that I have refurb’d. Absolutely gorgeous grain by the way on all of them with few fills. I’m sure this is a novice question, but all of them seem to absolutely soak up olive oil after I clean them. I mean seriously soak up. I can add a shine to them and within a few hours the pipe is dry. Other makes I am working on take days to do the same. I keep reapplying and they keep soaking up the oil. Is this a byproduct of the well aged briar or ? Not upset in anyway, just curious.

You, my friend, have been taking advice from the hillbilly solicitor, Briar Lee. Wax and polish. That is it. The briar on a Pipe by Lee will darken slightly as you smoke it. I have several Lees - maybe 6 total. The wood is dense and other than that, it is unremarkable. Although Briar Lee insists that the wood is oil cured, NOTHING in the advertising suggests that it was. His opinions on Lee have had an oversized impact on what others repeat about Pipes by Lees - everything from the author of Reborn Pipes, Shooting News, and other sources on the internet - who quote him most likely because he speaks convincingly about the brand - that was until he decided to take his passion to Marman pipes and Algerian Briar, LOL. But that is another story.

A Lee pipe is an excellent MEDIOCRE pipe that has a few unique characteristics that make them interesting to collect. The pipes can easily be re-clocked. The stingers are removable and can easily be transferred to other Lees. Overall, the vulcanite is a decent quality, easy to clean, and easy to shine. Myself, and others, have found the briar to deliver a consistent quality smoke - but don't expect fireworks. There are three generations of Lees - the first two - the seven pointed star iteration and the five star, all have the stars set into the vulcanite. Pn the last generation, the stars were pressed on foil. From my experience, the number of stars on a pipe, from 3-5, seem to have no difference on quality or grain appearance.

Enjoy your Lees - there are collectors out there, @Parsimonious Piper being the best known serious collector - and who I would recommend you contact about authentic information about Lees. Good luck and as I have often said to Briar Lee - stop using olive oil and please, don't use steel wool on the finish of each and every pipe.

 

[mingc]

Thank God they are only Pipes by *ee with merely a few fills! For the coup de grace, may I suggest reaming the chambers, preferably with a sharp knife, to get them nicely out of round?!

 

[MavErik]

Olive Oil is for Stems only and Vulcanite stems at that.
Briar should only get a wax and polish if needed and that’s for smooth finishes generally.

Ok I have been pondering this and here is a secondary question. So olive oil is ok…even recommended on the stems but not the stummel. Under that logic, why?! Vulcanite is a plant based material just like briar. Each get waxed and buffed. So why the concern over the briar turning rancid, but not the vulcanite?

 

[Chasing Embers]

Olive Oil is for Stems only and Vulcanite stems at that.
Briar should only get a wax and polish if needed and that’s for smooth finishes generally.

Oil's fine for briar but too much and it will weep a bit when smoked. I've never waxed any pipes other than those I've made and sold.

 

[PaulRVA]

Ok I have been pondering this and here is a secondary question. So olive oil is ok…even recommended on the stems but not the stummel. Under that logic, why?! Vulcanite is a plant based material just like briar. Each get waxed and buffed. So why the concern over the briar turning rancid, but not the vulcanite?

I helps prevent oxidation on the stem and subdues hazing. Kinda like armor all on tires.
I wouldn’t want olive oil absorbed into any of my briar. You do you though.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I helps prevent oxidation on the stem and subdues hazing. Kinda like armor all on tires.
I wouldn’t want olive oil absorbed into any of my briar. You do you though.

Some companies cure briar with oil and the stain used on them is far from food grade.

 

[PaulRVA]

Some companies cure briar with oil and the stain used on them is far from food grade.

Absolutely,