What Would I Find Underneath This White Paint?

[randelli]

I really like this little pipe - the color not so much.

Would it be a sin to refinish this? Should I expect a lot of filler underneath?

 

[ashdigger]

Underneath the paint lurks 4,371 fills.

 

[randelli]

That is a pretty exact number!

 

[ashdigger]

I used to own some white Woodies.

 

[pagan]

I have a Orange Dr Grabow that I sandblasted the paint off and it was solid briar underneth, no fills at all, left it naked and keep at work with a cob as my work rotation.
I don't think the Kaywoodie White Briars are any less quality then any other Woodie

 

[cosmicfolklore]

There's only one way to know...

 

[wyfbane]

You can always paint it white again if it disappoints you.
This reminds me of the French Longchamp's. As I heard it, during WWII, briar was really scarce. Using what they had, the French wrapped the ugly briar in leather to make it rugged and attractive. It was a hit with the American GI's and so with a market they made Longchamps for a long time... even after the briar supply to France had resumed. I have heard of folks unwrapping a Longchamp and finding awesome briar underneath. And then it has gone the other way, as well.
I own a Longchamp. I have never had the urge to alter it. I defer if anyone here knows more about the story, but that is how I have heard it.
In any event, good luck with you Kaywoodie!

 

[pagan]

That is a great looking Zulu. I say lightly sand blast it and wax it, leave it natural, just my .02

 

[randelli]

I was thinking about a sandblast too. Wouldn't it need to have more material to start with? How are blasts done? Wife is out of town... Harbor Frieght might be in my future

 

[aldecaker]

That Zulu is one of my favorite Grabow shapes. I'm smoking one right now, actually. Me personally, I would leave that one as it is, and possibly just buy another one in a more standard finish. I have a couple good sources, if you're interested.
EDIT: Sorry, my mistake. It's been a long day! I totally mistook that for a Grabow Color Duke.

 

[agnosticpipe]

 

[randelli]

See Orley, that white was soooooo ugly, brown is much better.

 

[woodsroad]

I know what's under the white paint:

More white paint.

 

[mayfair70]

You will find a pissed off Leprechaun.

 

[beefeater33]

From my experience its a real gamble.......... I've seen some that had AMAZING grain under the white, and no fills..... others, well..........get the paintbrush ready.... ::

 

[tuold]

Those "White Briar" Kaywoodies definitely have that mid century modern thing going for them, if you are into that.I have a few in my collection but I don't smoke them, not after all the trouble I went to in getting them white again =)

 

[randelli]

They are retro-sexy!

I don't know if I make the pipe or the pipe makes me....

 

[darthcider]

I am with Woodsroad, what if the bowl is solid paint?

Go for it!

 

[sablebrush52]

What Would I Find Underneath This White Paint?

Crappy wood.

 

[jpmcwjr]

But: REAL wood! Really crappy real wood. Guaran-effing-teed!!