What Do You All Do for Old, Unsmoked Pipes?

[Clovis]

EDIT: Fixed Capitalization in Title (See Rule 9)

Prior to first use, what to you do to old (perhaps decades old) unsmoked pipes? Alcohol on the inside via pipe cleaner? Anything special? Thanks in advance!

Clovis

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

I'd run some water through to clean out any bugs or cobwebs, load it up and smoke it.

 

[anotherbob]

Personally I'd just enjoy the added flavor sensation of moth balls. Trust me if merges with a good classic English in an alchemical flavor ballet. As you can tell I've never tried such a thing.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Forty years old, just unboxed it and smoked it.

 

[3rdguy]

Personally I'd just enjoy the added flavor sensation of moth balls. Trust me if merges with a good classic English in an alchemical flavor ballet. As you can tell I've never tried such a thing.

Moth balls are so small though...you can barely see them.

 

[anotherbob]

Moth balls are so small though...you can barely see them.

yeah but they really add something to a smoke.

 

[mso489]

My wife says I can always find something to worry about, so I will share this talent with this thread. It occurs to me that if you run the water through the old pipe, you want it to dry out really well before smoking, so you don't get any steam pressure from the rinse water heating up in the nooks and crannies of the pipe. Probably would be fine, but I'd give it a day or two to dry, then smoke away.

 

[Simplicity]

I purchased an unsmoked early Civic era Loewe this past June. I did nothing but put tobacco in it and smoked away. No issues from this 53+ year old pipe.

 

[Country Bladesmith]

If it’s dusty, blow it out with an air compressor and then load it up and smoke it. If the tenon is loose, and doesn’t tighten up from smoking it, then moisten the mortise with a damp Q-tip, put the stem back in, and let it sit for a while to tighten back up.

 

[donjgiles]

At least, I would run some alcohol and pipe cleaners through the shank and stem.
Give it a critical sniff and make sure there is not hint of mold or any nasties hiding in there.