Restoring Old Cobs

[uperepik]

I would like to know what methods are used to restore old corn cob pipes. I found out very quickly how careful you have to be if you use a reaming tool when I ruined a MM diamond shank bent cob. Particularly would like to know what to use cleaning, grit of paper and what kind of finish if any.
Edited by jvnshr: Title capitalization.

 

[mackeson]

I admire those of you with the patience to put time into a cob. When they get gunky or funky I just throw them out and pull another off the shelf

 

[Waning Embers]

I use unscented baby wipes to ream cobs and meerschaums. Totally removes any sign of cake build up.

 

[uperepik]

Wow that's cool, didn't know that about the baby wipes. mackeson the only reason I'm wanting to clean/restore these is because they are styles they don't make anymore.

 

[Waning Embers]

I hear ya there. My Great Dane Egg and Reverse Calabash get babied.

 

[uperepik]

Both of those are on my list, where did you get your reverse calabash from?

 

[cossackjack]

A Golf Tee is a great tamper & chamber scraper/burnisher to debride & smooth the chamber walls.

An Oyster Shucking Knife or a gently applied reamer works well.

 

[Waning Embers]

Both of those are on my list, where did you get your reverse calabash from?

SPC back in 2015 when they were released. I do see them pop up on eBay from time to time though.

 

[sunriseboy]

I've just tarted up three cob Wizards and a General I've got. Incredibly disappointed how they crack and go funny shapes in just a few months.

The only restoration I'll be making in future is reaming them out. I'll buy a couple of CG's each month so I've got a reserve team, and see how we go with this "urinating" competition between Trump and "short fat" guy. And, of course the FDA and their new found crusade against leaf smokers.
"We've always got the answers to everyone else's problems...but not our own".

 

[piffyr]

Incredibly disappointed how they crack and go funny shapes in just a few months.

Surface cracks on cobs are just par for the course. They don't affect the smoking abilities of the pipe. It's just the cob's way of saying, "I love you."