TSUGE - BOWL BLACK FINISH

[smokertruck]

i read that the tsuge coating inside the bowl tastes terrible & it should be carefully sanded off down to briar -

any tsuge pipe smokers confirm this ??
looking at a tsuge triangle bulldog low profile with an acrylic stem. new for $125. but the bowl issue bothers me -

why they continue with a coating with issues.
- i know - had posted elsewhere but no response so reposted
thanks

 

[Chasing Embers]

I've got three Tsuges, and never found a foul taste. Though I did see a video about Tsuge several years ago that said they use fish oil in their bowl coating.

 

[lestrout]

Yo smo
I have a handful of Tsuges, most of which were new. Never had a problem with the breaking in process. There was no specific taste from the coating.
hp

les

 

[jefff]

If you really like the pipe you can always CAREFULLY sand the coating out.
It takes a while..: maybe up to an hour because you need to use a fine grit and go very slowly. It has worked for me in the past.

 

[jpmcwjr]

I'd simply take a damp paper towel and see if anything comes off with that. Then smoke the darn thing. If there is a taste, it'll be gone in a few bowls.

 

[smokertruck]

i own mostly boswells - will be my first tsuge - how are the tsuges - my boswells had excellent flavor right out of the box !

most are rhodesians on the heavy & large side - the tsuge is a bulldog low profile & smaller with a short shank which may not smoke as cool as the boswells - naturally as a bulldog it has no bamboo which i think tsuges are famous for in the pipe world.
will pull the plug on monday when i have a better cash flow - not sold yet for about 2 weeks not sure why - unsmoked & not on ebay

 

[smokertruck]

OK bought it

 

[perdurabo]

.02 Take some q-tips and golden grain, wipe the bowl out. I have some basket pipes that are Baracini and the black finish taste like turpentine. I think some of the black dye comes through the smoke also. Anyway, the q-tip wash does a great job.

 

[smokertruck]

as a point of interest what is golden grain ? -
i usually use isopropyl alcohol followed with bacardi rum 151 proof to resweeten in event i overdid the iso alcohol.

i procrastinated about buying regarding that black lining but will likely sand it out.
http://www.pulversbriar.com/misc.html
near the bottom - i like the low profile & grain but not thrilled with the short shank - am of the 1950's school that said

a longer shank gives a cooler smoke . - will see.

 

[jacks6]

I've been seriously looking at buying a tsuge lately. Those pipes are beautiful.