(Part 2) Best products from r/PipeTobacco

Apologies for the text wall!

Often times the white acrylic pearled stems are very difficult to get back to perfect when the airway has been poorly maintained (not sure on your color). Best approach I have found with these is to completely submerge it and soak the stem in a mixture of white distilled vinegar and baking soda. You want the solution to bubble and fizz during the majority of the soak (so use a good amount of baking soda in the bottom of your container and a lot of patience filling it). I will usually place the stem tennon side down. Make sure you have cleared the airway as much as you can. You will want to see bubbles coming out through the lip as it soaks. You can soak for 1hr to overnight (this soak won't hurt anything)

Follow up the soak with passes of a bristle nylon brush (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0115SLLLM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_aVXdzb72RVG6S) and hard bristle pipe cleaners if still being stubborn (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000W5R6UA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_DWXdzbXF8T8WV) Pass multiple soft pipe cleaners dipped in the flat sodium bicarbonate solution, followed by dry ones. Aaaand REPEAT as many time as needed haha. It usually works pretty well for me.

You can also use the flat sodium bicarbonate mixture to clean the outside of the bowl and inside the shank to remove some smell! Vinegar and water is often recommended for cleaning hard wood floors that have been freshly stained as it won't remove stain and sanitizes. The extra dissolved baking soda can help with smell as well :)

I don't think toothpaste will do much, but it depends on how much time you want to spend and what end result you want.

Pipe makers use buffing wheels, which, if you have one, is an option, but be aware that the first few times you try this, you'll probably launch the stem across the room and destroy it. ;)

To bring it to a nice matte black, your best bet is the tried and true method of soaking it in oxyclean for an hour or three. This will actually make it look worse, but what it's doing is helping to bring out the oxidation in the stem. After the oxy bath, you can clean it with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. That usually helps get the oxidation off. At that point, it'll be mostly black, but it'll be a dull black.

If you want shiny, you need to buff it, and the best option there aside from wheels is to use micro mesh polishing pads. https://www.amazon.com/Micro-Mesh-Sanding-Pads-Grits/dp/B0756MT6X8/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1525279219&sr=8-6&keywords=micromesh+sanding+pads

Start with the lowest grit (1500) and polish until you've got the whole thing nice and black. Then start moving up in grit. By the time you hit 6000 it'll look really nice, and if you want that mirror black shine, go all the way to 12000. It takes about an hour of elbow grease.

Won't say this is the best price, or whether it is the exact image on your original pipe, but it looked like a "sultan" to me. Lots of variations on that theme and this is just one

meerschaums are great smokers, BUT they tend to fragile. Remind me to tell you the story of a pipe friend of mine who lit his meer, after it spent a cold winter's night in his garage, and as it heated up it decided to imitate a hand grenade... much to his surprise. As he tells the story it went more "CRACK" than "Boom", but literally flew apart and he was left with the stem in his mouth and meerschaum pieces scattered on the floor... and the burning tobacco in his lap. Another installment paid to the University of Pipe Smoking. LOL

I made a post on here earlier, but removed it as I felt it was better suited here:

I'll skip the boring details of my newfound interest in pipe smoking and get right to it...

I've been looking at Mr Brog's lately as an introductory pipe. But looking at some kits on Amazon, there are options that could save me some money (trying to be budget friendly, as I'm still settling into my new job.)

Basically, I'm wondering if the additional cost to buy a Brog and accessories would justify the purchase over something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Smoking-FeelGlad-Tobacco-Accessories-wooden/dp/B01MY15BZ3/ref=sr_1_4_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1498272403&sr=8-4&keywords=tobacco+pipe+kit

I've really been eyeballing the Poker: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DPQ1H4S/ref=crt_ewc_title_dp_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ALK9TZQVPJXAA but I don't know if I would be getting $20 more out of it than in the afformentioned pipe, so I figured I'd ask the fine patrons of /r/PipeTobacco.

Thanks guys.

I have this same pipe. The stem is made out of what feels to be aluminum (if you actually buy it you will see that the pattern of the stem is cheaply printed on), and the fittings are plastic witch warp very easy. It has a decently snug fit for the first couple smokes. BUT after that the fit becomes so loose that it can barley hold its self together. If you look closely at the pictures you can see the obvious gaps where the components do not fit properly. Under the specs it says "High Quality Wood", and I guess you could call it that if high quality is soft and prone to dent wood that smokes hotter than an oven. Now I'm no professional but I would give this pipe a 1.5 out of 10. You would be better off to save up $10 more or so and a buy something infinitely better both cosmetically and fictionally. This is my favorite pipe I own, www.amazon.com/Grabow-Golden-Duke-Textured-Tobacco/dp/B005CALO30/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1404381790&sr=8-16&keywords=dr.+grabow and its only $30 new. But I'd recommend a pipe with a brand name or a makers' name/mark, that is usually the safest way to go. Hope I helped in any way. I just don't want to see anyone waste money on that sham of a pipe.

I'm glad to hear that! As far as I know they can be pretty hit or miss quality wise, though for the most part they're pretty solid little pipes.

I found this and it looks a lot like the pipe you have there. Hope this helps! Again, glad you're enjoying this wonderful hobby!

This is my main pipe right now, really liking the shape. It's very comfortable to hold.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004E5KAFM/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00

I do have a corncob on the way and I'm excited to check that out.
Would love some suggestions on a smaller bowl pipe for a 5 minute smoke. This one is pretty large for a quick smoke during the day but is great for a long relaxing evening smoke.

I would lose the cake. I have a reamer like this that I can pop in and safely remove excess cake. If you have a local tobacco shop, they'll likely have one you can purchase. I have a pipe shop near me that will do it for me too and polish up the old pipe. On an estate pipe I like to start fresh and build my own cake. After reaming, take a pipe cleaner or two dipped in the alcohol of your choice and run it around the inside of the bowl. I let mine sit for 24 hours to make sure everything's evaporated before trying it out again. :)

Responded to this on another commenter's thread. Basically, I recommend the True Utility Fire Stash Multi-Tool https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ZRWJVGA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_ZpGXDbYB0M75V

It's essentially a mini Zippo, but sealed better so the fluid doesn't evaporate, and comes with a waterproof case that you can use to keep some travel tobacco in too. Oh, and the lighter is small enough that it can be used as a tamper! Highly recommended for piping on-the-go!

I use this one, as do a few friends and it works really well:

https://www.amazon.com/Inches-Engineered-Cylinder-Tincture-Crusher/dp/B00B2GI5J4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1494000744&sr=8-1&keywords=herb+press

Most of the DIY presses I've seen at home have been PVC with a C Clamp, which is fine, but I prefer metal or wood.

I'm currently in the market for someone with the skill to do this, but my plan is to have someone make me a square version of this about 5 inches tall using a clamp on the bottom to sides to hold the bottom on. Then, the same screw down from the top (which also has side clamps).

Basically, something like this (side clips not pictured):

http://imgur.com/a/j4v2I

If you want to dive in I highly recommend this book:

http://www.amazon.com/Pipesmoking-A-21st-Century-Guide/dp/0931253152

There are also a bunch of guides that explain the differences between types of pipe tobacco.

Welcome to the club!

I am brand new to pipes and picked this up a 4th Generation Leather Pipe Tobacco Pouch on Amazon. I went with the brown single pipe one. It's just the right size for a pipe, zippo, tool, small number of pipe cleaners and my tobacco. So far this has worked perfectly for me.

http://www.amazon.com/4th-Generation-Leather-Tobacco-Choose/dp/B00GISTPNG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1450920860&sr=8-3&keywords=Tobacco+pipe+bag

You can use this:

https://www.amazon.com/Zen-Cigarette-Filter-Tips-Bundle/dp/B00NZRMZVC/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=rolling+tobacco+filters&qid=1574142044&sr=8-1

it's super cheap, so one filter for one smoke. Don't forget to put a hole in in before smoking.

If you are taking a trip through different religions I highly recommend the God Delusion by Richard Dawkins.

https://www.amazon.com/God-Delusion-Richard-Dawkins-ebook/dp/B003JTHWJQ/ref=sr_1_2?crid=9T63SOWCW33U&keywords=the+god+delusion+by+richard+dawkins&qid=1567812024&s=gateway&sprefix=the+god+de%2Caps%2C229&sr=8-2

Pipe Smoking: A 21st Century Guide
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0931253152?pc_redir=1411904729&robot_redir=1

This is the only book I have about pipes. I love it and have read it cover to cover. It has loads of information about both pipes and tobacco.

https://www.amazon.com/Tupperware-Midgets-Containers-Ounce-Bowls/dp/B00OWP2RW8/

these come in various colours and are not much larger than a standard pipebowl. I can fit them easily in my 4-pipe bag (2 pipes, 2 of these).

>$12.49 with code 2HYYQVAE Save 50% off

https://www.amazon.com/Portable-Activated-Carbon-Spieces-Accessories/dp/B07Z7NXBZ9?fbclid=IwAR3jIYxewF26EAdd9pCKBYHOme1H2HG5TiOl-3EruHhRrdJ36a_OZYokrF8

I don't know if Kleen Reem has some exclusive technology that makes it superior, but you can get a Senior Pipe Reamer from Amazon for $22.

Right here, friend.

http://www.amazon.com/s-s-Long-Churchwarden-Tobacco-Pipe/dp/B004ECU1W2

[This] (http://www.amazon.com/Pipe-Tools-Senior-Reamer/dp/B00153SQ70) will save you many hours of sandpapering in the future.

It's a oiled canvas material. Looks like they changed the leather word at the bottom:

http://www.bradleymountain.com/shop/

The tobacco pouch is just leather:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GISTPNG/ref=sr_ph?ie=UTF8&qid=1421954210&sr=1&keywords=tobacco+pouch

I use a Senior Pipe Reamer. It's done well for me.

This one on Amazon is Prime eligible, and also for sale at 4noggins. Any reason I should not buy it?

Here you go :D

It's not as controlled as a senior reamer, or in my opinion, an even more controlled route, the Castleford reamer.

I'm sorry to hear this. Honestly though, you often get what you pay for.

I'll do you one better.

Be very aware that the stem and extension are fairly fragile and the stem broke off in the filter extension a few months after I bought it. I contacted the seller and he sent me two full replacement stem and extension sets. It's a great smoker, but pear wood does burn a bit hotter than briar and this pipe is no exception. I mainly use mine for aromatics.