Sherlocking A Pipe

[Pipeoff]

When first starting on my pipe journey many moons ago, I was lucky to have several true pipe B&M shops in my hometown. All had in house makers that gave me tips on picking out a good smoker. I always carried a pen lite to examine the bowl.

Tips: The draft hole should be flush with the bottom of the bore : wet bottom
The stem tenon should have no space between the shank drill hole : moisture condensation.
Always pass a thin pipe cleaner to test that the stem alignment to the shank drill : poor draw.
Check for sand pits and cracks inside the bowl: burnout
I always check out these potential problems in a shop especially with the rising cost of quality pipes. It may look odd to the seller but who cares, it is your lunch money !

 

[proteus]

When using your pipe cleaner to check stem alignment how do account for pipes that are bent stem types like a bent apple Pete XL02?

The bent pipe holes I've seen cannot align given the sharp angle of the bend and the need to have a drill enter at a angle from the side.

 

[Pipeoff]

When using your pipe cleaner to check stem alignment how do account for pipes that are bent stem types like a bent apple Pete XL02?

The bent pipe holes I've seen cannot align given the sharp angle of the bend and the need to have a drill enter at a angle from the side.

There are exceptions to every rule. I am not a Pete fan always considered the well pipe was akin to a septic tank.

 

[Jef]

When using your pipe cleaner to check stem alignment how do account for pipes that are bent stem types like a bent apple Pete XL02?

The bent pipe holes I've seen cannot align given the sharp angle of the bend and the need to have a drill enter at a angle from the side.

My bent Petersons (including my Shannon XL02) will not pass a pipe cleaner. However, I have a large fully bent Rossi that will. With that said, they all smoke great.

 

[Jef]

When first starting on my pipe journey many moons ago, I was lucky to have several true pipe B&M shops in my hometown. All had in house makers that gave me tips on picking out a good smoker. I always carried a pen lite to examine the bowl.

Tips: The draft hole should be flush with the bottom of the bore : wet bottom
The stem tenon should have no space between the shank drill hole : moisture condensation.
Always pass a thin pipe cleaner to test that the stem alignment to the shank drill : poor draw.
Check for sand pits and cracks inside the bowl: burnout
I always check out these potential problems in a shop especially with the rising cost of quality pipes. It may look odd to the seller but who cares, it is your lunch money !

How can you check if the draft hole is flush with the bottom of the bore?

Disregard...I was thinking of the bottom end of the stem being flush with the drilled hole in the shank.

 

[Chasing Embers]

A pipe's construction and cost lends little to its smokability. That's more about the ability of the smoker. Many of my pipes have a draft drilled above the chamber floor and smoke dry. I recently bought a Castello where the draft is just below the chamber floor and smokes fine. Condensation will happen in any pipe packed too tightly, or smoked too quickly.

 

[warren]

I only purchase pipes in a shop, after a careful check-over. I've never had a problem with an offset draft-hole. Minor pits inside the bowl are soon filled in briar. Your observations are your reality so, I can't/won't argue your points. I'd simply disagree with the bulk of your observations, that's my reality after 60 years of pipes, many of them Peterson systems.

 

[brian64]

I thought this was going to be something like Bogarting a joint.

 

[BingBong]

I thought this was going to be something like Bogarting a joint.

Ah, etiquette.

My Peterson Cara has a very off-centre drilling, it hisses on full draw. When it's quiet, I know I'm smoking slowly enough - great flake pipe, too.

 

[ItsKarl]

A pipe's construction and cost lends little to its smokability. That's more about the ability of the smoker. Many of my pipes have a draft drilled above the chamber floor and smoke dry. I recently bought a Castello where the draft is just below the chamber floor and smokes fine. Condensation will happen in any pipe packed too tightly, or smoked too quickly.

Not to mention cobs - they tend to have lots of real estate below the drill hole, as the shank extends into the chamber. I only have one cob as yet, but it has consistently smoked dry.

 

[bullet08]

Myths.

 

[autumnfog]

A pipe's construction and cost lends little to its smokability. That's more about the ability of the smoker. Many of my pipes have a draft drilled above the chamber floor and smoke dry. I recently bought a Castello where the draft is just below the chamber floor and smokes fine. Condensation will happen in any pipe packed too tightly, or smoked too quickly.

I thought you disliked Castellos, change of mind?

 

[Chasing Embers]

I thought you disliked Castellos, change of mind?

Maxim offered it to me cheap when I was looking for a toolbox pipe for my job to keep from damaging any favorites. The blast makes it a good knock around pipe. I'm still going to have to fix the button though.

 

[autumnfog]

Maxim offered it to me cheap when I was looking for a toolbox pipe for my job to keep from damaging any favorites. The blast makes it a good knock around pipe. I'm still going to have to fix the button though.

View attachment 311457

Beautiful pipe. Looks like a comfortable smoker.
Let us know how it behaves.

 

[kcghost]

Castello's are rather pricey, but they deliver (IMHO) a wonderful smoke. I've had a number over the years, and they all had wonderful smoking characteristics. I've a number of pipes that were used and never had a problem. In every case I the owner of the pipe or he came highly recommend to me.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Castello's are rather pricey

The seller passed that one along to me for $150 new though I am a regular customer.

Looks like a comfortable smoker.

The stem feels similar to the stems used by Missouri Meerschaum. Comfortable but it has a rough edge on the front of the button that is fairly abrasive and is thicker on one side. Nothing a good filing won't cure.

 

[proteus]

My bent Petersons (including my Shannon XL02) will not pass a pipe cleaner. However, I have a large fully bent Rossi that will. With that said, they all smoke great.

Mine smoke great too. I've not experienced issues with hole alignment affecting draw. I do ream the draw hole out to about 4.5 mm and the tenon hole about 3.5mm. In 35 years of pipe smoking Ive never paid much attention to these things except in the smoke ability. I buy good brands and go from there. I've started to pay attention though in that I am curious what makes a good pipe from the craftsmanship angle.