When to Ream an Old Pipe?

[Abessa]

EDIT: Fixed Capitalization in Title (See Rule 9)

Bought 6 old pipes for 20€ , well used. Dont want to destroy old carbon coating inside, though in couple of them it seems to be thick .

 

[mso489]

Abbessa, you have the right attitude. If you are overzealous try can do damage, though you might have a lot of fun until you realize it. Don't take it down into the briar. Be very conservative and cautious. With that attitude, you may do okay. I had an elderly friend whose other friend did him a "favor" by reaming all his pipes ... to death. It happens all the time.

 

[Abessa]

Abbessa, you have the right attitude. If you are overzealous try can do damage, though you might have a lot of fun until you realize it. Don't take it down into the briar. Be very conservative and cautious. With that attitude, you may do okay. I had an elderly friend whose other friend did him a "favor" by reaming all his pipes ... to death. It happens all the time.

Thanks, I'll

Abbessa, you have the right attitude. If you are overzealous try can do damage, though you might have a lot of fun until you realize it. Don't take it down into the briar. Be very conservative and cautious. With that attitude, you may do okay. I had an elderly friend whose other friend did him a "favor" by reaming all his pipes ... to death. It happens all the time.

Thanks, I'll be wary.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Just use sandpaper.

 

[Abessa]

Just use sandpaper.

?

 

[Chasing Embers]

?

It takes back carbon slowly without much risk of briar damage.

 

[Abessa]

It takes back carbon slowly without much risk of briar damage.

Live and learn, awsome tip. How about the bottom part of the bowl?

 

[Chasing Embers]

Live and learn, awsome tip. How about the bottom part of the bowl?

Curve the paper over your fingertip.?

 

[jpmcwjr]

A photo of the chamber of the most and least caked pipes would be instructive.

 

[Old School 3319]

Use everclear and a green scratch pad rather than ream it will take all the cake off and the everclear will freshen the pupe

 

[cigrmaster]

When I begin to loose some space for packing a flake that is when I pull out my reamer. I use a Senior Reamer as it gives me the best control. I never over ream with it and it does a nice clean job without doing any damage to the bowl. I have been using one for a long time and have never over reamed a pipe yet.

 

[Abessa]

When I begin to loose some space for packing a flake that is when I pull out my reamer. I use a Senior Reamer as it gives me the best control. I never over ream with it and it does a nice clean job without doing any damage to the bowl. I have been using one for a long time and have never over reamed a pipe yet.

TY

 

[Country Bladesmith]

Live and learn, awsome tip. How about the bottom part of the bowl?

If your finger will fit, do like @chasingembers said. I do have a few pipes that are too deep/narrow for my knuckle to fit, so I cut a cylindrical piece of foam that I wrap the sandpaper around if I need to sand any carbon back.
That said, I’ve taken to wiping my chambers out with a paper towel after smoking, and rarely have to mess with reaming/sanding anymore.