Why are estate pipes ok?

[Alejo R.]

It seems that these days, every guy with some micromesh pads, mineral oil, and a buffer is a pipe restorer.
Just like so many guys with a sander and a drill press are artisan pipe makers.
I’ll pay decent money for an estate or NOS I really like, but the number of nice pipes with the stems overbuffed and other crimes just saddens me.

Most pipes are a piece of wood with a piece of hardened rubber attached. Restoring them isn't a complex task, unless you want a professional restoration or the pipe is in very poor condition. I suppose in that case, it would be a very valuable piece. The secret is not to buy estate pipes that need repair if you don't have the knowledge and tools to fix them. I haven't used sandpaper on a pipe in years, and when I have, it's been on the rim. A green oxidized mouthpiece restores the blackness and shine with a rag, toothpaste, and patience.

 

[UB 40]

It seems that these days, every guy with some micromesh pads, mineral oil, and a buffer is a pipe restorer.
Just like so many guys with a sander and a drill press are artisan pipe makers.
I’ll pay decent money for an estate or NOS I really like, but the number of nice pipes with the stems overbuffed and other crimes just saddens me.

Ah yes those criminals, makes me feel so sick either.

 

[anotherbob]

I wish I could be a cocaine fueled fraud.
In the last 6-7 years though, it’s come down to cocaine or McClelland. Gotta have one, can’t have both.

That might just be McClellands secret. Cocaine might taste like vinegar when mixed with red Va. Explain the prices

 

[Hutch Piper]

I love estate pipes. I really enjoy bringing them back to life.

 

[Sig]

Wait until he finds out that many pipe makers test the draw of their creations with their mouths.

Luckily only 50%-80% of adults in the US have HSV-1 oral herpes.

 

[wyfbane]

Tell me the OP has never spent time in the field in the military without telling me.

 

[Pipe_Guard]

Ive seen estate pipes being sold with MOLD growing in the bowl... YUMMMY

No, estate is a case by case basis. Wood afterall really isnt easy to clean

 

[sablebrush52]

Ive seen estate pipes being sold with MOLD growing in the bowl... YUMMMY

No, estate is a case by case basis. Wood afterall really isnt easy to clean

Boiling alcohol retort flush. Problem solved.

 

[solideogloria86]

P.S. I Estate Pipes!

 

[OzPiper]

View attachment 407926

Minty !
Only slightly used

 

[Arkansas Paul]

If there are still germs on the stems after soaking in Oxy, a whirl on the buffing wheel with white diamond, a second whirl on the wheel with red rouge, and a third whirl with just the cotton wheel, I'll just let them kill me.

 

[Ulfson]

Good to know. I have yet to try that, even rarely. How was the experience?

Would it be safe to assume that you're a virgin, or that any partners you're had were virgins, considering that you wouldn't put your mouth where anyone else has been? Were you the first person to live in your home, do you only buy new cars, bring a chair to sit on wherever you go, and wear gloves all day, not to mention a face mask? Air is reused, you know.

I buy both new and estates, have done so for over 50 years, and have yet to experience any ill effects from any estates that I have bought.

I love old Biitwood and have a particular fascination for family era Barlings, which haven't been made for over 60 years. Any estate I buy is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected by me, even if it's sold as having been cleaned by the seller. Any pipe I sell has also been thoroughly cleaned by me before I sell it and the buy is free to give it a going over.

So why are estates OK? Style, quality of work, price. I'm fussy about condition and won't buy something that can't be restored to near mint condition. Anything that I buy goes through several days of cleaning before it joins the stable, including a retort boiling alcohol treatment if needed. I'll leach out any stale oils, scrub out any stubborn deposits. I want that pipe as neutral as I can get it.

Since my oldest pipes are from the 1880's I assume that its original owner is long dead, and that's OK with me. But if any of them are still around, I'd love to know how they did it.

Well said

 

[Pipe_Guard]

Boiling alcohol retort flush. Problem solved.

never heard of that one.

But the last time i discussed boiling alcohol was with a guy who worked in the scottish alcohol industry. And boiling was always followed by condensing and bottling.

But ive read about hot water cleaning pipes, will try it later on with my next smoke round.

 

[OzPiper]

never heard of that one.

But the last time i discussed boiling alcohol was with a guy who worked in the scottish alcohol industry. And boiling was always followed by condensing and bottling.

But ive read about hot water cleaning pipes, will try it later on with my next smoke round.

Be careful with a hot water flush.
Hot water may expose oxidation in old(er) vulcanite stems.

 

[Waning Embers]

Be careful with a hot water flush.
Hot water may expose oxidation in old(er) vulcanite stems.

It can flash oxidize them as well.

 

[telescopes]

Waterflush - remove stem first - duh.

 

[Scrapyard Ape]

One can't be too careful.

 

[anotherbob]

Wanted: Girlfriend. Must be virgin and unsullied by any lips or exchange of bodily fluids

My one friend in high school had a mom. And before she was a mom she was a wife and before that she was a nun.

 

[Ziller]

I like buying unsmoked estate pipes from SP. They're cheaper than if you bought them new and they're unused. I like 9mm filtered pipes, so I search "unsmoked 9mm" once in a while and see if they have anything cool at a good price. And now I let my secret out of the bag...

 

[Sigmund]

@Ziller If you like 9mm pipes I suggest shopping in Germany.
There are a lot of pipe shops and you will likley find equal if not more 9mm pipes in these shops.

Otherwise you have to hunt 9mm options and they can be pretty scarce

Please put at least your country on your profile for location.