what is your latest pipe purchase

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Originally Posted by Pugsley

Two tins of this came today.

Attachment 1413

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Warren, that's Russ' new mixture? Please let us know how it smokes and enjoy!

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Originally Posted by NeverBend

(chuckling) I like natural doubters! Can we ask what you paid for the pipe and where you got it?

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I got it on eBay for $45 shipped.

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Originally Posted by Tgs679

I got it on eBay for $45 shipped.

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$45 bucks....jeeze. I am not going to say what I spend on these stoopid pipes sometimes :p

Anyways, rest assured, it is a true blue Custy. I have seen several post-Mincer pipes where the branding was off. It is more than most likely a mid 50's/early 60s example.

Nice find sir, good price. Should clean up and smoke very nicely :pipe:

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Originally Posted by NeverBend

Warren, that's Russ' new mixture? Please let us know how it smokes and enjoy!

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Going up north for the weekend with a bunch of friends, perhaps I'll pop one up there and pass it around for a group review.

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Originally Posted by Pugsley

Going up north for the weekend with a bunch of friends, perhaps I'll pop one up there and pass it around for a group review.

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Going North? Around here (after this Winter) they'd call you crazy!

Have a great and safe trip.

Asking around for opinions? You know what they say, send a horse to committee and you'll end up with a giraffe.

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Originally Posted by NeverBend

Going North? Around here (after this Winter) they'd call you crazy!

Have a great and safe trip.

Asking around for opinions? You know what they say, send a horse to committee and you'll end up with a giraffe.

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Going to my trailer in the foothills west of Redding , CA. Temps are in the high 70's to mid 80's, no danger of frostbite. Several of us have trailers and/or cabins on a total of 160 acres of adjoining parcels. It's always a good time getting together up there, but I began to notice a pattern some time ago. It seems there's always a few who forgot their pipe, or tobacco, or both. Of course, they all know that I carry spare cobs and plenty of tobacco, and they always rave about my tobacco selection, (free always tastes so much better), so maybe the group review might not yield completely honest results.

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Originally Posted by Pugsley

Going to my trailer in the foothills west of Redding , CA. Temps are in the high 70's to mid 80's, no danger of frostbite. Several of us have trailers and/or cabins on a total of 160 acres of adjoining parcels. It's always a good time getting together up there, but I began to notice a pattern some time ago. It seems there's always a few who forgot their pipe, or tobacco, or both. Of course, they all know that I carry spare cobs and plenty of tobacco, and they always rave about my tobacco selection, (free always tastes so much better), so maybe the group review might not yield completely honest results.

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Hi Warren,

So can we assume that a sample review might look like...

"Tobacco was wonderful. I'm always impressed by Warren's selections and wish that he would give me more!"

Enjoy your trip, sounds like a great place.

Not a purchase,but a gift from my D-I-L
Attachment 1468
A Dr.Grabow Lark

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Originally Posted by Lostmason

Not a purchase,but a gift from my D-I-L
Attachment 1468
A Dr.Grabow Lark

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Hi Matthew,

A daughter-in-law who buys you a pipe is a treasure!

It looks like the stem has straightened in the picture? If so, it's not too hard to bend it but make sure that you keep a pipe cleaner in it to prevent crimping. If you need help with this, just ask and I'm sure that we can give you some methods.

Enjoy!

Pete

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Originally Posted by NeverBend

Hi Matthew,

A daughter-in-law who buys you a pipe is a treasure!

It looks like the stem has straightened in the picture? If so, it's not too hard to bend it but make sure that you keep a pipe cleaner in it to prevent crimping. If you need help with this, just ask and I'm sure that we can give you some methods.

Enjoy!

Pete

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I noticed that,must have been the flash.I'm going to give it a try this way and see how it feels first,but if I change my mind I'll let you know.It had a stinger in it
but since it wasn't a twist-in I took a pair of pliers and pulled that tooth.Anywho,Thanks for the offer Pete.

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Originally Posted by Lostmason

I noticed that,must have been the flash.I'm going to give it a try this way and see how it feels first,but if I change my mind I'll let you know.It had a stinger in it
but since it wasn't a twist-in I took a pair of pliers and pulled that tooth.Anywho,Thanks for the offer Pete.

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Stems (usually) start out straight and are bent during manufacturing. Older molded stems seem to straighten out the most because of time, the way that the base vulcanite stock was made and the bits shaped (molded).

Good luck giving it a go watch out for embers.


.

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Originally Posted by NeverBend

Stems (usually) start out straight and are bent during manufacturing. Older molded stems seem to straighten out the most because of time, the way that the base vulcanite stock was made and the bits shaped (molded).

Good luck giving it a go watch out for embers..

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Will do,,but I looked them up and found these models with straight as well as bent stems.How should I heat the stem for bending?

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Originally Posted by Lostmason

Will do,,but I looked them up and found these models with straight as well as bent stems.How should I heat the stem for bending?

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Hi Matthew,

I did a sanity check and your pipe is (was) a bent. It really needs to be re-bent otherwise it will be difficult to smoke and cumbersome (and possibly dangerous).

These comments are for vulcanite stems only. I'm pretty sure that your stem is vulcanite but I can't be certain.

The idea is to get the vulcanite flexible and for that you'll need heat. Some pipe repair services can do this. If you're going to do it yourself there are several ways but I'll discuss hair blow dryer because it's less involved (potentially).

Before you start, look at other bent pipes to see how they're shaped. Generally you want the smoke hole (end of the stem that goes into the mouth) to be about parallel with the top of the bowl. Put the thickest pipe cleaner that you can fit into the stem and leave it there until you're finished.

You want to heat the middle few inches of the stem until it's fully flexible (takes time) and it wobbles back and forth if you flick it. Then bend it into the shape that you want with a smoothing motion of the fingers as it is starting to harden. You should be able to stop when it holds shape.

Distribute heat evenly but not at either end of the stem, especially the tenon (shank/stem joint). You can always start over or adjust by reheating.

You can work with the stem on or off of the pipe. For your first time it may be easier off of the pipe. Protect the tenon (no heat at all here - stay away).

Remember:
Pipe Cleaner
Even heat across and around
Don't start bending until it wobbles
Tenon stays cold, button cool

If it's not the way you like, reheat it till it wobbles and try again.

Hope that this helps.

Pete

Hi Pete

I'll give it a try this weekend,I'll have to borrow or buy a blowdryer.I need to pick up more pipecleaners anyway,good reason to dropin at the B&M,,Hehehe.

Matthew

P.S. I'll post after pics.

Four more homeless tins of tobacco appeared at my door today. How does this stuff keep finding me?

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Originally Posted by NeverBend

Hi Matthew,

I did a sanity check and your pipe is (was) a bent. It really needs to be re-bent otherwise it will be difficult to smoke and cumbersome (and possibly dangerous).

These comments are for vulcanite stems only. I'm pretty sure that your stem is vulcanite but I can't be certain.

The idea is to get the vulcanite flexible and for that you'll need heat. Some pipe repair services can do this. If you're going to do it yourself there are several ways but I'll discuss hair blow dryer because it's less involved (potentially).

Before you start, look at other bent pipes to see how they're shaped. Generally you want the smoke hole (end of the stem that goes into the mouth) to be about parallel with the top of the bowl. Put the thickest pipe cleaner that you can fit into the stem and leave it there until you're finished.

You want to heat the middle few inches of the stem until it's fully flexible (takes time) and it wobbles back and forth if you flick it. Then bend it into the shape that you want with a smoothing motion of the fingers as it is starting to harden. You should be able to stop when it holds shape.

Distribute heat evenly but not at either end of the stem, especially the tenon (shank/stem joint). You can always start over or adjust by reheating.

You can work with the stem on or off of the pipe. For your first time it may be easier off of the pipe. Protect the tenon (no heat at all here - stay away).

Remember:
Pipe Cleaner
Even heat across and around
Don't start bending until it wobbles
Tenon stays cold, button cool

If it's not the way you like, reheat it till it wobbles and try again.

Hope that this helps.

Pete

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The number one thing I look for when buying a slight bend pipe. This is key for a comfortable pipe, IMO.
But parallel can imply higher or lower. You rather want it to be "in line" with the top. As in on the same horizontal plane.

I do believe this is what I looking to achieve
Attachment 1482

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Originally Posted by Lostmason

I do believe this is what I looking to achieve
Attachment 1482

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Yup, that'd work! :)

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Originally Posted by NeverBend

Yup, that'd work! :)

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NP,but quick question,just how do they straighten out on their own?

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Originally Posted by Lostmason

NP,but quick question,just how do they straighten out on their own?

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Hi Matthew,

Heat and manufacturing process.

Molded vulcanite stems have had about three ‘periods’ of manufacturing changes and the first two didn’t heat the vulc as hot so it has a greater tendency to revert to it’s original form. Almost all current molded stems are made with air injection (like soft serve) at higher temps so they don’t have much ‘memory’ and they don’t readily (but can) revert. They’re also lighter in weight, more maleable but not as strong and dense.

Rod vulcanite is a different manufacturing process and I don’t know that I’ve ever seen one revert.

Thanks,,I like the bent stems more,just haven't came across one that had reverted.

Besides some random cigars that arrived today, some aged stuff and my long awaited backorder of Mississippi River 8oz tins came in.

I got these four pipes at an indoor flea market today for $7.50 each.

They are:
Parker Rugby Canadian
Butz-Choquin Capitan Galion
The Epitome of Fine Tabac
John TS

http://i1377.photobucket.com/albums/...pscw7xpmhw.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Haebar

I got these four pipes at an indoor flea market today for $7.50 each.

They are:
Parker Rugby Canadian
Butz-Choquin Capitan Galion
The Epitome of Fine Tabac
John TS

http://i1377.photobucket.com/albums/...pscw7xpmhw.jpg

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A Parker and a Butz for only 7.50 each?

BARGAAAAIIIIIN!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Haebar

I got these four pipes at an indoor flea market today for $7.50 each.

They are:
Parker Rugby Canadian
Butz-Choquin Capitan Galion
The Epitome of Fine Tabac
John TS

http://i1377.photobucket.com/albums/...pscw7xpmhw.jpg

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Man, you stink!
Just kidding! That's a great find.
I've got to get out to some flea markets!

Beauty, eh?

http://img.cigarbid.com/p/500/misc/pm-pgcmyo-plt.jpg

Been wanting to try my hand at this for a while, finally pulled the trigger.

Side note - was showing one of these in a catalog to a guy at work, who wondered, why would anyone buy an ugly thing like that??? I politely explained that it was a blank for whittling your own pipe design... Oh, he said, that makes sense :)

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Originally Posted by Bruck

Beauty, eh?

http://img.cigarbid.com/p/500/misc/pm-pgcmyo-plt.jpg

Been wanting to try my hand at this for a while, finally pulled the trigger.

Side note - was showing one of these in a catalog to a guy at work, who wondered, why would anyone buy an ugly thing like that??? I politely explained that it was a blank for whittling your own pipe design... Oh, he said, that makes sense :)

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Looks like a clencher! Can't wait to see this project.

If it doesn't end up being a total charlie foxtrot, I'll post pix :)

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Originally Posted by Bruck

If it doesn't end up being a total charlie foxtrot, I'll post pix :)

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I've been wanting to try my hand at one of those kits as well.

What shape are ya going to go for?

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Originally Posted by Bruck

If it doesn't end up being a total charlie foxtrot, I'll post pix :)

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I think we should see pics either way! :p

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Haebar

I got these four pipes at an indoor flea market today for $7.50 each.

They are:
Parker Rugby Canadian
Butz-Choquin Capitan Galion
The Epitome of Fine Tabac
John TS

http://i1377.photobucket.com/albums/...pscw7xpmhw.jpg

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Nice haul Haebar

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Originally Posted by Branzig

I've been wanting to try my hand at one of those kits as well.

What shape are ya going to go for?

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I'm envisioning a sort of geometric shape, like a truncated/rounded pyramid.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bruck

I'm envisioning a sort of geometric shape, like a truncated/rounded pyramid.

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Nice! Can't wait to see it!

I'd make it way hard on myself and go for a poker. Symmetrical and round...wouldn't go well for me haha

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Originally Posted by BryGuySC

I think we should see pics either way! :p

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Yeah, why not?
It'll either be the example or the counterexample.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Haebar

I got these four pipes at an indoor flea market today for $7.50 each.

They are:
Parker Rugby Canadian
Butz-Choquin Capitan Galion
The Epitome of Fine Tabac
John TS

http://i1377.photobucket.com/albums/...pscw7xpmhw.jpg

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Nice! They look to be in pretty good shape, but based on some of your other restoration work you've posted, I bet you could really make them shine.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Haebar

I got these four pipes at an indoor flea market today for $7.50 each.

They are:
Parker Rugby Canadian
Butz-Choquin Capitan Galion
The Epitome of Fine Tabac
John TS

http://i1377.photobucket.com/albums/...pscw7xpmhw.jpg

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Wow, nice find. The top one seems to have a really nice grain / swirl going on. I'll be excited to see pics of these all cleaned up!

My second new pipe just came in the mail; a Savinelli Obi-Two. It's a briar bowl with a rubber like coating. A bit unconventional, but it caught my eye and was on sale, so I pulled the trigger.

http://i.imgur.com/xrKU4HSl.jpg?1

Also, my latest antique store find, this ashtray.

http://i.imgur.com/QfMLGEbl.jpg?1

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Originally Posted by Horsefeathers

My second new pipe just came in the mail; a Savinelli Obi-Two. It's a briar bowl with a rubber like coating. A bit unconventional, but it caught my eye and was on sale, so I pulled the trigger.

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That's an interesting pipe; I'd never heard of them before. Nice ashtray too!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by NeverBend

Hi Matthew,

I did a sanity check and your pipe is (was) a bent. It really needs to be re-bent otherwise it will be difficult to smoke and cumbersome (and possibly dangerous).

These comments are for vulcanite stems only. I'm pretty sure that your stem is vulcanite but I can't be certain.

The idea is to get the vulcanite flexible and for that you'll need heat. Some pipe repair services can do this. If you're going to do it yourself there are several ways but I'll discuss hair blow dryer because it's less involved (potentially).

Before you start, look at other bent pipes to see how they're shaped. Generally you want the smoke hole (end of the stem that goes into the mouth) to be about parallel with the top of the bowl. Put the thickest pipe cleaner that you can fit into the stem and leave it there until you're finished.

You want to heat the middle few inches of the stem until it's fully flexible (takes time) and it wobbles back and forth if you flick it. Then bend it into the shape that you want with a smoothing motion of the fingers as it is starting to harden. You should be able to stop when it holds shape.

Distribute heat evenly but not at either end of the stem, especially the tenon (shank/stem joint). You can always start over or adjust by reheating.

You can work with the stem on or off of the pipe. For your first time it may be easier off of the pipe. Protect the tenon (no heat at all here - stay away).

Remember:
Pipe Cleaner
Even heat across and around
Don't start bending until it wobbles
Tenon stays cold, button cool

If it's not the way you like, reheat it till it wobbles and try again.

Hope that this helps.

Pete

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Well I hope I've got it where I'm not sucking embers down my gullet...What do you think?
Attachment 1572

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lostmason

Well I hope I've got it where I'm not sucking embers down my gullet...What do you think?
Attachment 1572

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Much better, nice job, especially for your first try. I think you'll enjoy it a lot more.

If you feel that it needs more bend, you can heat it again. The only point I'd make is to heat further up and down the stem for a longer area to bend.

Well done, enjoy.