Why are estate pipes ok?

[SpuddsBuckley]

It is interesting to know your preference in shoes, but the analogy is not valid at all.
First, because today’s sportswear is superior to that of any previous era, and its positive impact on performance is undeniable.
Second, because—although it may understandably cause some discomfort among certain smokers—it is well established that the use of estate pipes is a common and harmless practice within the pipe‑smoking community.
Third, because a used pipe is not the same as a dirty pipe: no one puts a pipe in their mouth without first cleaning it or making sure it is in proper condition.

Kind regards.

For those allergic to comedy, I was joking. I own multiple estate pipes. In fact, my first ever pipe was a mid-century estate Grabow, which I still smoke.

 

[MisterBadger]

For those allergic to comedy, I was joking. I own multiple estate pipes. In fact, my first ever pipe was a mid-century estate Grabow, which I still smoke.

Not a question of allergy, @SpuddsBuckley , but one of cultural and linguistic differences: I note with interest that the two of us who took the original remark at face value, are not from the USA, and not native speakers of American English. And I don't know about @Alejo R. , but personally I am now wondering whether I should take offence at being described as humourless.

(Joking).

 

[SpuddsBuckley]

Not a question of allergy, @SpuddsBuckley , but one of cultural and linguistic differences: I note with interest that the two of us who took the original remark at face value, are not from the USA, and not native speakers of American English. And I don't know about @Alejo R. , but personally I am now wondering whether I should take offence at being described as humourless.

(Joking).

 

[Alanon]

To be honest, this is the first time I’ve encountered such vociferous opposition to estate pipes. In my neck of Europe, most every pipe smoker I know partakes.

I can of course sympathize with the "ick factor", but after reaming the briar, cleaning the wood, treating the stem in Oxy and a disinfectant, then sanding and polishing it, that estate is probably more sanitary than any pipe I smoke and clean with alcohol-dipped cleaners. And this is only counting what I can do with my modest skills. A proper pipe restorer can remove the cake to bare wood, drill out the channel and neck to bare wood, and essentially make the pipe almost factory.

I will admit that I’m sensitive to certain smells, and I’ve had estates whose carbon waft has left me icked out. But there’s nothing in there that’s not in any of my new pipes, the only difference is who produced it.

I do wonder though, for the people who are squeamish, are there any exceptions? If your wife wanted to give you a bite of her food at dinner, and she took her fork, stabbed the bit and reached out to feed it to you, would you recoil in horror?

 

[SpuddsBuckley]

To be honest, this is the first time I’ve encountered such vociferous opposition to estate pipes. In my neck of Europe, most every pipe smoker I know partakes.

I can of course sympathize with the "ick factor", but after reaming the briar, cleaning the wood, treating the stem in Oxy and a disinfectant, then sanding and polishing it, that estate is probably more sanitary than any pipe I smoke and clean with alcohol-dipped cleaners. And this is only counting what I can do with my modest skills. A proper pipe restorer can remove the cake to bare wood, drill out the channel and neck to bare wood, and essentially make the pipe almost factory.

I will admit that I’m sensitive to certain smells, and I’ve had estates whose carbon waft has left me icked out. But there’s nothing in there that’s not in any of my new pipes, the only difference is who produced it.

I do wonder though, for the people who are squeamish, are there any exceptions? If your wife wanted to give you a bite of her food at dinner, and she took her fork, stabbed the bit and reached out to feed it to you, would you recoil in horror?

I will not buy a pipe with teeth chatter on the stem. That's where I draw the line.

 

[MisterBadger]

I will not buy a pipe with teeth chatter on the stem. That's where I draw the line.

I might cross that line if I really liked the stummel and overall design, and get myself another stem to replace the old chewed one.

 

[tartanphantom]

I might cross that line if I really liked the stummel and overall design, and get myself another stem to replace the old chewed one.

Been there, and done that, generally out of necessity if the stem has been chewed through.

 

[Alanon]

I will not buy a pipe with teeth chatter on the stem. That's where I draw the line.

Interesting, is just a little enough or are we talking holes or deep gouges? Sanitary or aesthetic reasons?

I either sand that out or try to lift it up with heat for vulcanite... even large-ish holes can be patched up to look almost indistinguishable, although I personally haven’t had the need yet.

 

[SpuddsBuckley]

Interesting, is just a little enough or are we talking holes or deep gouges? Sanitary or aesthetic reasons?

I either sand that out or try to lift it up with heat for vulcanite... even large-ish holes can be patched up to look almost indistinguishable, although I personally haven’t had the need yet.

I mean, if it's really chewed up and wasting away, then forget it. A couple of small bite marks, I'm not worried about it from a sanitary standpoint, as it could be heavily disinfected... But it's more the idea of some other man's teeth marks being on that stem that I can't really get past.

 

[spike]

Spike, I met you and your wife a few years ago at the Chicago pipe show. It’s people like you both that I keep going to the pipe shows. That and the food of course.

Thank you, My Friend. Looking forward to next year’s show and seeing you again. But please tell me there your real name. I am sure I will remember you.

 

[Revnatorade C.P.G.]

I own plenty of estates as I cant buy pipes that arent made anymore. Do I smoke many of them? No, but not because im squeamish as they have all been cleaned by me or a restorer that I bought them from, but mainly as I dont want to risk damaging them as they're old and a piece of history.