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jayhancock

Lurker
Nov 2, 2021
36
80
Arkansas
linktr.ee
Got this Mastercraft Executive Choice. Got quite a few holes to fill but that grain is so fine.
 

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jayhancock

Lurker
Nov 2, 2021
36
80
Arkansas
linktr.ee
Arthur-Leonard, Ltd. Not sure about the history. But this thing is solid!
 

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PipeGarGuy

Starting to Get Obsessed
Nov 1, 2022
120
179
I don’t know if I can compete with you guys, I’ve seen some pretty good work!

I bought 3 meerschaums, 2 had been smoked and never cleaned. The cake buildup and scorched rims were significant. I’ll try this picture thing, I’m new so bear with me…

Before:

FA07D25E-187F-466B-9937-D01E30D332EF.jpeg041BD48A-E531-4D26-B18A-1D67E71CD985.jpeg

During:

7F4DB785-FB9F-4BD0-9185-F41A6B649C52.jpeg

After:

80D83023-B3C0-4F27-9943-91B878278A95.jpeg4CF9AA6A-618B-4F9C-A096-8174A7616334.jpeg

Regrettably the before and during shots of the other pipe didn’t turn out but here’s after:

E3FAD77A-FD2A-4A69-8C27-050149771815.jpegB8E92B38-AF84-47A3-86CA-72CFBDFEC132.jpeg

The cake was significant so I started using a buttner tool to knock it down. Then I went to 100 grit till I started to see meerschaum then 180 grit to even it out. Then I took 400 grit to smooth it out. I rotated the buttner in there every so often to serve as a 360 degree plumb bob and to keep the bottom of the chamber flush with the walls. Once the cake is down it doesn’t grab anymore. Then I took bristled pipe cleaners to the shank to clear the draft hole and finished with wet, then dry absorbing pipe cleaners.

I came to pipes from cigars about a month ago. I already have 22 pipes and this is my first stab at restoring any of them. I’ve got another smoked meerschaum and an unsmoked in transit, can’t wait to hit the smoked one with some love!

Now the big question. I’ve smoked every one of my new pipes. But I haven’t smoked the meerschaums. Do I smoke the unsmoked ones or leave them new? And, do I smoke the restored ones or leave them clean? Help a guy out here…
 

Chasing Embers

Captain of the Black Frigate
Nov 12, 2014
43,258
108,365
Do I smoke the unsmoked ones or leave them new? And, do I smoke the restored ones or leave them clean? Help a guy out here
My answer.

e08cp5T_d.webp

ydOmhv1_d.webp
.
 

OzPiper

Lifer
Nov 30, 2020
5,761
30,607
71
Sydney, Australia
Not much point buying pipes you don’t have any intention of smoking.
so, yes, fire them up 😁

I admit to having a few unsmoked pipes
I should say “yet unsmoked” because there is every intention to fire them up.
I’m a weekend smoker, so it’s more a matter of getting around to smoking them with a large rotation.
 
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PipeGarGuy

Starting to Get Obsessed
Nov 1, 2022
120
179
Not much point buying pipes you don’t have any intention of smoking.
so, yes, fire them up 😁

I admit to having a few unsmoked pipes
I should say “yet unsmoked” because there is every intention to fire them up.
I’m a weekend smoker, so it’s more a matter of getting around to smoking them with a large rotation.
I feel you on the large rotation, I’m at 22 and counting!
 
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OzPiper

Lifer
Nov 30, 2020
5,761
30,607
71
Sydney, Australia
I've got a Preben Holm that I'll likely never smoke but that's just due to it being in the original box with a signed sleeve and it appears on his Pipedia. A bit of a small chamber as well.
I don't have any pipes which would be massively devalued on being smoked, so very little monetary incentive in keeping them in a virginal state.

If I had an unsmoked Sixten or Bo, I'd be conflicted.
 
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Chasing Embers

Captain of the Black Frigate
Nov 12, 2014
43,258
108,365
I don't have any pipes which would be massively devalued on being smoked, so very little monetary incentive in keeping them in a virginal state.

If I had an unsmoked Sixten or Bo, I'd be conflicted.
Not so much about devaluing it, it just seems iconic with Preben's tragic life and all. Plus regardless of how it looks, that chamber is tiny. Barely 1.5 inches deep.

 
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