I own over a hundred Pipes by Lee and only the last run of stamped star Lees had any varnish.
To polish my Lee pipes (and most all the other ones, too) except for my Four Star and Five Star Lee pipes, I use grapeseed oil. available on eBay for $8 for a lifetime supply sized 8 ounce bottle.
There are other ways to make a pipe shine, besides grapeseed oil.
But lookie here!
That particularly sad looking Lee stamped star took two blots of grapeseed oil to shine up like new, in only a few minutes.
A grapeseed oil finish is not on the briar, it’s in the briar. It can be refreshed any time. It covers up tiny dings and flaws.
Use as little grapeseed oil as you can, just a blot on a paper towel, and polish it hard, get mean with it.
I used to use high grade olive oil, but on this forum I learned grapeseed oil is better. It darkens the briar less, and when grapeseed oil ferments it doesn’t turn rancid, like olive oil.
But one of my worst Lees I own glows like this, easily.
To polish my Lee pipes (and most all the other ones, too) except for my Four Star and Five Star Lee pipes, I use grapeseed oil. available on eBay for $8 for a lifetime supply sized 8 ounce bottle.
GRAPESEED OIL ORGANIC CARRIER COLD PRESSED 100% PURE 8 OZ | eBay
ORGANIC GRAPESEED OIL, COLD PRESSED. Ingredients: Grapeseed oil, 100% Pure with NO additives or carriers added. It is noted to be especially effective to help the skin around the eyes. It's commonly used in stretch mark preparations.
www.ebay.com
There are other ways to make a pipe shine, besides grapeseed oil.
But lookie here!
That particularly sad looking Lee stamped star took two blots of grapeseed oil to shine up like new, in only a few minutes.
A grapeseed oil finish is not on the briar, it’s in the briar. It can be refreshed any time. It covers up tiny dings and flaws.
Use as little grapeseed oil as you can, just a blot on a paper towel, and polish it hard, get mean with it.
I used to use high grade olive oil, but on this forum I learned grapeseed oil is better. It darkens the briar less, and when grapeseed oil ferments it doesn’t turn rancid, like olive oil.
But one of my worst Lees I own glows like this, easily.