Pre Broken in

[jpmcwjr]

The idea of ash coating the bowl will help build cake- but it'll be a soft cake.
And I'd posit that the majority of our members are not trying to build up cake.

 

[derekflint]

How can you tell a vulcanite stem from an acrylic stem ?

 

[pianopuffer]

Rub it between your fingers to warm it up. If it smells like rubber it’s vulcanite. Otherwise it’s plastic.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Rub it between your fingers to warm it up. If it smells like rubber it’s vulcanite. Otherwise it’s plastic.

This, and you can also tap the stem on your thumb nail. A sharp tap will be acrylic, a dull tap, ebonite/vulcanite/cumberland.

 

[pianopuffer]

Happy to report that I tried the hot water method those of you described above on my Ben Wade straight billiard with the gunk from a few bowls of Autumn Evening. Never experienced this sort of sticky, sappy tar before in my bowls....
After a few hot water rinses and paper towel wipes, 99% of the gunk is gone. Have yet to pack it and fire it up (as it's currently 10 degrees outside) but am sure it will be just fine.
Can't wait to employ this method with my other briars. Thanks again!

 

[jpmcwjr]

WE aim to please! I do love to hear of other's successes with the above....

 

[joeman]

Linkman (and later Sparta Pipes / Dr. Grabow) actually had a 'pre-smoker' machine...a contraption which dropped tobacco into the chamber, and lit it while a gentle vacuum created the necessary draw to essentially smoke a full bowl of tobacco through their pipes. Opinions vary as to the effectiveness of that process. This is why you see 'pre-smoked' on vintage Linkman-made pipes and early Dr. Grabows.
Here's an image of the original set up. A later model was set up like a large wheel which spun very slowly, and automated the process. I'll try to post a little video later, if anyone is interested.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Eons ago I read a short story that included a Parisian man who "broke in" pipes for an affluent clientele. Wish I could recall more, esp. the author or title. Think it was set in early 1900's.

 

[joeman]

The image above (pre-smoker) is most likely late 30's / early 40's.
This video clip shows the later generation pre-smoker from Sparta, NC; I'm not sure when they designed this later machine (I'm guessing 1950's), but this video is from the mid-70's. Sparta Pipes used the machine in this video through the 1980's I believe. This old relic still sits in a back room of the Sparta factory; I've taken pictures of it.

 

[cigrmaster]

Jesse, thanks for the info, I am going to try it.

 

[mawnansmiff]

"Alcohol may remove some silicates from the briar, which will weaken its structure"
Any evidence to back either of these claims up perchance? T'would make interesting reading.
Regards,
Jay.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Pretty sure I read that in one of sablebrush's posts, and trust his veracity in quoting. Perhaps he can recall the source.
HNY, Jay!