What's Under That Grabow!!!!

[paddypiper]

Here's the Grabow I picked up last night. I paid $7. The outside has a hard gritty something on it almost like cake on the outside, the stem looks like someone tried to start removing the oxidation and gave up after heavy sandpaper, and the tenon doesn't currently go all the way in. As far as I can see I think it says West - something on one side and automatic on the other but I don't know much about Grabows. The Bowl is fairly clean though so that's a plus. Sorry about the lighting, I'm at work and that's the best I could do.

 

[nevadablue]

So, according to what we just learned, that must be a Westbrook. :clap:

 

[paddypiper]

Yes I saw the post afterwards but wasn't able to edit mine by then and didn't want to waste the time to write another post. Also I've got it to the point that Westbrook is very legible on the side. Still can't get tenon to thread all the way in.

 

[peteguy]

 

[peteguy]

 

[uperepik]

Nice job Pete

 

[addamsruspipe]

Alright so finished the first Dr Grabow I picked out, cleaned up nicely. Also smokes quite well. Here's the old and the new.

 

[uperepik]

Sweet, you guys are fast. I haven't even started. I bought multiple Grabows also but just remember when we post the final contest before and after thread you'll need to pick the one you want to be voted on

 

[addamsruspipe]

And here is the second one. The rim was so badly charred and uneven I had to top it. Small bowl but looks good.

 

[nevadablue]

Very nice guys!
So, when will the actual contest thread start? My other possible entry is experiencing USPS 'issues'. Sigh... but I can always work with one of the others.

 

[uperepik]

Probably the first of October.
I got mine in and decided I'm definitely going with the bulldog.

 

[nevadablue]

OMG! That poor thing!

 

[addamsruspipe]

Certainly looks like it was smoked. I can see a lot of potential in that bulldog.

 

[nevadablue]

A tip from another newbie. Wet tobacco will bite. Lots of blends tend to be wet. Set a small amount of tobacco out to dry for a while. Then, while smoking, keep a nice cold drink (whatever you like) to swish over your tongue if the tobacco tries to bite. Then, just relax and enjoy the experience. Let the pipe cool, relight if necessary and carry on!

 

[weezell]

Someone about loved that pipe to death! It's amazing that those old smokers would not take a pocket knife at least , and trim that cake out as they were smoking it. I understand the premise of smoke one to death and buy another but you would think they would at least open it up to get more tobacco in it.... :crazy:

 

[nevadablue]

Sorry about that post I made above. It is in the wrong thread, but it is too late to edit it.

 

[disinformatique]

From looking at all the posts I have concluded that Dave has sold his soul to da devil in exchange for those sick restoration skills. :puffpipe: You guys can thank me now.

 

[nevadablue]

The 'lost' pipes finally arrived today. Turns out that the Grabow in the pair has a blue spade. But, the stem is stuck. I think this one will be my entry.

 

[theloniousmonkfish]

 

[ssjones]

Crap, I was feeling pretty good. I picked up an $8 Dr. Grabow Meerschaum lined bent billiard today at a junk shop, but it has a push stem, no logo. The search continues.