I've recently gotten into rehabbing estate pipes and am amazed by how filthy people let their pipes get. I don't see how some of them were smoked because of how much the bowls are caked up.
Yeah it's pretty gnarly. Sometimes you even get one that looks clean but smells absolutely disgusting. I just got one that smells like latakia mixed with mothballs, or something. Having a hard time getting rid of the odor.
Murphy Oil Soap does a very good job cleaning pipe stummels. I have also discovered "Vulpex" liquid soap, made by the same folks who make Renaissance Wax. Vulpex is used by museum curators for cleaning rare and irreplaceable artifacts, so I feel safe using it on my pipes. Vulpex is soluable in water or spirit, depending on the need. I also rinse stummels in warm water. I have found that a lot of people freak out and go psycho when I mention rinsing pipe stummels in water. They maintain that the briar harvesters and pipe makers have spent untold amounts of time drying the briar, and my using water ruins the wood. I refuse to agree on that point. I am only giving the pipe a quick rinse, not immersing it in water for days on end. Water, being the universal solvent, does a far better job of rinsing than any synthetic product. So far, I have not ruined any pipes. I intend to continue with my cleaning method.
Frank Bishop as far as I am concerned water does zero harm, except maybe for expanding the wood on logo Stamp’s and reducing their depth a bit. Briar is incredibly dense and does not absorb much if any moisture for a quick rinse or five.
I have a no name estate pipe. It had such a heavy red stain and wax on it that it almost looked made of plastic. I sanded it down to the briar and applied a light coating of wax. I have a question. Is it possible for a heavy stain and wax to make the pipe burn hotter? It seems to be a lot cooler smoker since I've done the modification.
I did this and on a few pipes it removed the stain and lightened the pipe considerably. The alcohol was the culprit not the wood soap. If I buff and wax fterwards do you think I can restore the color. It was a dunhill
Really enjoying your videos. I've just recently started restoring estate pipes and using Murphy's Oil Soap. It does seem that Murphy's can remove stain / finish. It definitely removed the stain / finish on a Custom Built I am working on (or what I thought was the stain was dirt and grime).
Rick 778 I have noticed on some pipes that the “stain” seems to come off. In fact the pipe I am currently working on was “refinished” by someone with what seems to be shoe polish! The Murphy’s took it all off and left the bare wood, I have also had pipes where the “stain” turned out to be just grime. Having said that, generally I have found that a proper alcohol based stain is not affected, and pipes where the stain comes off would be ones that had a finish issue and I would want to re-stain it anyway to give a proper durable finish.
We've rehomed quite a few estate pipes over the years but never have I had my hands on a set in such bad shape, I felt the need to clean & restore first. My first thought was Murphy's. That with salt & vodka in the bowl & a wax, the sets are going to look great. Glad to know I'm on the right track. Thank you for the video!
I use this soap inside and out when cleaning an estate pipe, the shank and inside bowl too, using small stiff brushes and tooth brushes, I even use this type of soap to scrub out the chambers on estate gourd calabash pipes.
Travis H oh I see what you are referring too. I was answering more in general. To clean the pipe I often do use alcohol because I want to strip down the old wax and redo it. Given that the wax is a key part of the finish, and most people do not have the opportunity to re-wax a pipe so the finish will be ruined for them if they simply wipe their pipe with alcohol. So as a general rule the advise to avoid getting alcohol in the exterior is sound. Mostly when I do this, the stain underneath will remain intact, but. It always. I have had some pipes where it also strips down the stain and you end up with bare wood, especially on cheaper vintage pipes. I was fairly confident about the Parker stain being durable given the quality of the manufacturing, but I had the opportunity to test the stain quality on the rim before going ahead, and it confirmed for me that it was not going to come off.
You’re like the Bob Ross of pipe restoration. Well done!
I've recently gotten into rehabbing estate pipes and am amazed by how filthy people let their pipes get. I don't see how some of them were smoked because of how much the bowls are caked up.
Yeah it's pretty gnarly. Sometimes you even get one that looks clean but smells absolutely disgusting. I just got one that smells like latakia mixed with mothballs, or something. Having a hard time getting rid of the odor.
Got a estate Kaywoodie 12b coming in. Can't wait to see what kinda krud the oil soap pulls off.
Murphy Oil Soap does a very good job cleaning pipe stummels. I have also discovered "Vulpex" liquid soap, made by the same folks who make Renaissance Wax. Vulpex is used by museum curators for cleaning rare and irreplaceable artifacts, so I feel safe using it on my pipes. Vulpex is soluable in water or spirit, depending on the need.
I also rinse stummels in warm water. I have found that a lot of people freak out and go psycho when I mention rinsing pipe stummels in water. They maintain that the briar harvesters and pipe makers have spent untold amounts of time drying the briar, and my using water ruins the wood. I refuse to agree on that point. I am only giving the pipe a quick rinse, not immersing it in water for days on end. Water, being the universal solvent, does a far better job of rinsing than any synthetic product. So far, I have not ruined any pipes. I intend to continue with my cleaning method.
Frank Bishop as far as I am concerned water does zero harm, except maybe for expanding the wood on logo Stamp’s and reducing their depth a bit. Briar is incredibly dense and does not absorb much if any moisture for a quick rinse or five.
I have a no name estate pipe. It had such a heavy red stain and wax on it that it almost looked made of plastic. I sanded it down to the briar and applied a light coating of wax. I have a question. Is it possible for a heavy stain and wax to make the pipe burn hotter? It seems to be a lot cooler smoker since I've done the modification.
Peter McPherson absolutely! Heavy coatings, varnishes, paints etc seals the wood pores and prevents the pipe from dispersing the heat properly.
use disposable earplugs to plug the shank works great!
Scott Stewart good idea. Thanks
Great grain on that pipe my friend! Note to self: hit mute when your cleaning lol
Hi,
so then we need to rebuff the pipe again right in order to bring back that shine
How long after rinsing should I let the pipe rest before waxing?
Looks beautiful, some great tips ! Enjoyed your time
Kevin Twiner thanks
I did this and on a few pipes it removed the stain and lightened the pipe considerably. The alcohol was the culprit not the wood soap. If I buff and wax fterwards do you think I can restore the color. It was a dunhill
how to remove the roster layer inside the bowl, i feel also it makes the taste bitter ?
Really enjoying your videos. I've just recently started restoring estate pipes and using Murphy's Oil Soap. It does seem that Murphy's can remove stain / finish. It definitely removed the stain / finish on a Custom Built I am working on (or what I thought was the stain was dirt and grime).
Rick 778 I have noticed on some pipes that the “stain” seems to come off. In fact the pipe I am currently working on was “refinished” by someone with what seems to be shoe polish! The Murphy’s took it all off and left the bare wood, I have also had pipes where the “stain” turned out to be just grime. Having said that, generally I have found that a proper alcohol based stain is not affected, and pipes where the stain comes off would be ones that had a finish issue and I would want to re-stain it anyway to give a proper durable finish.
Bare Pipe Makes sense. Thanks!
Instead of using isopropyl I was using 100%pharmasy acetone, very effective stuff and kinda expensive too
Paul The Scandinavian interesting idea, I haven’t thought of that.
We've rehomed quite a few estate pipes over the years but never have I had my hands on a set in such bad shape, I felt the need to clean & restore first. My first thought was Murphy's. That with salt & vodka in the bowl & a wax, the sets are going to look great. Glad to know I'm on the right track. Thank you for the video!
Wow, rinse it out with water???
Good to know thank you.
Have learn something new today watching your video :D
Greetings,, Kitty.
Can you use peppermint oil soap to clean a pipe the same way?
I use this soap inside and out when cleaning an estate pipe, the shank and inside bowl too, using small stiff brushes and tooth brushes, I even use this type of soap to scrub out the chambers on estate gourd calabash pipes.
I cannot say I have ever gone that far with it, but I guess as long as you rinse it out properly, I cannot see why not.
Murphys oil soap works great on pipes
Outstanding stuff. I hadn’t considered Murphy’s. Thank you.
I like that word “crud” 🤔
I was wondering if you are still doing videos?.
I am a subscriber and haven’t heard a thing.?.
Bob
Are you South African? Great video thanks for the education
I was wondering if you are still doing videos?.
I am subribed
How come you not doing any videos?.
In my experience, I have used Murphy's to strip the stain.
Very naice
Why don’t you let the Murphy’s Soap stay on the briar for 10 minutes or so before clearing off?.
I thought alcohol takes finish off and thats why you have to be careful when doing a salt treatment...?
Yes you have to be careful to keep the alcohol on the inside only.
@@BarePipe but didnt you rub down the outside of the pipe with alcohol to get the wax off?
Travis H oh I see what you are referring too. I was answering more in general. To clean the pipe I often do use alcohol because I want to strip down the old wax and redo it. Given that the wax is a key part of the finish, and most people do not have the opportunity to re-wax a pipe so the finish will be ruined for them if they simply wipe their pipe with alcohol. So as a general rule the advise to avoid getting alcohol in the exterior is sound.
Mostly when I do this, the stain underneath will remain intact, but. It always. I have had some pipes where it also strips down the stain and you end up with bare wood, especially on cheaper vintage pipes.
I was fairly confident about the Parker stain being durable given the quality of the manufacturing, but I had the opportunity to test the stain quality on the rim before going ahead, and it confirmed for me that it was not going to come off.
Are you doing videos still?.
I subscribed like you asked, and haven’t heard a thing?.
Should I unscribe ?.
Bilbo didn't clean his pipe
Too late to plug the bole
I CAN'T HEAR ANYTHING YOU'RE SAYING.