Ask a Pipe Guy

[Hermit]

Originally Posted by SidRox7

I am currently dabbling in making a pipe and I bored the bowl hole a bit deeper than the stem hole... is there some sort of safe putty or what not I can put in the bottom of the bowl? I guess I could always smoke down as far as I can but don't want to waste any baccy!

Pipe mud.
Make a thick paste with cigar ash and a little water.

[EvoFX]

i just pulled my pipe out from not using it in a few months, and its bee giving my tobacco a bad taste, what is a good way to clean the pull out? should i use rubbing alcohol>? or something else to clean out the bowl?

[Dzrtrat]

Originally Posted by EvoFX

i just pulled my pipe out from not using it in a few months, and its bee giving my tobacco a bad taste, what is a good way to clean the pull out? should i use rubbing alcohol>? or something else to clean out the bowl?

Pull out... I'm assuming you mean the stem (but I know what happens when you assume) I use everclear...You can buy pipe sweetener, possibly from your local B&M. I think some use rubbing alcohol, I'm just not fond of the taste.

[EvoFX]

Originally Posted by Dzrtrat

Pull out... I'm assuming you mean the stem (but I know what happens when you assume) I use everclear...You can buy pipe sweetener, possibly from your local B&M. I think some use rubbing alcohol, I'm just not fond of the taste.

thanks, acutally i just realized i meant to say bowl out, i not sure how i got pull out lol.


were can you get everclear? i have heard of it but never seen it

[Dzrtrat]

Originally Posted by EvoFX

were can you get everclear? i have heard of it but never seen it

you have to be at least 21 in the US and you get it at a liquor store.

[EvoFX]

ok cool, ill go next week and pick some up, is that the best way to clean out the bowl? do i just pour some in there or do i q-tip it or something

[cp478]

some states and some cities no longer allow the sale of everclear.
just a heads up.

[Dzrtrat]

swap it with a q-tip or a pipe cleaner....also you can dip the end of a pipe cleaner and run it through the stem and shank....it doesn't take much and don't get it on the outside of the bowl as it can lift the finish.

[RJpuffs]

Originally Posted by EvoFX

i just pulled my pipe out from not using it in a few months, and its bee giving my tobacco a bad taste, what is a good way to clean the pull out? should i use rubbing alcohol>? or something else to clean out the bowl?

The easy clean (for not-so-stinky pipes). Use any available alcohol, higher octane is better, unflavored (Vodka) better but if you like the taste of say, Jim Bean - by all means use it. Take pipe apart, i.e. pull the stem using a clockwise unscrewing action (never just yank it out). Ditto for putting it back, screw it into place the same CLOCKWISE screwing action, yes, the same direction.

Take a bristle cleaner - this is a pipe cleaner with embedded spikes (bristles). Dip one end, about a half inch, into your preferred liquid, shake it off, don't want drips. Insert into stem through either end, wiggle it back and forth, then leave it in (with the wetted part just sticking out the other end from insertion - leave for a few minutes. Meanwhile, grab two qtips - use one to clean your ears, dip one end of the other into the cleaning liquid, shake off drips. Put wet end of QT into pipe shank (thats the part you pulled the stem out of), scrub a bit, get it in as much as you can without forcing it. Be sure to NOT get any booze on the OUTSIDE of the bowl. Put it down with the QT inside.

Go back to the stem, wiggle the bristle cleaner through a few more times. Take it out and keep it aside. Take a DRY CLEAN fluffy pipe cleaner, run it through the stem several times, remove and keep on the side. Back to the bowl - take out the Qtip, invert it and swab with the dry end. Discard QT.

Take the used bristle cleaner - if it is NOT too dirty you can use it, or take a fresh one and wet one end. Insert wet end into shank till the end just appears inside the bowl, scrub a dub dub. Invert bristle cleaner, scrub a dub dub. You may need to fold over the bristle cleaner if the airhole is too big. Scrub away. Then discard the bristle cleaner. Take up the previously used fluffy - if its dirty toss it and get a fresh one. Put it into the shank and scrub away, again you may need to fold it over if the hole is big.

Reassemble pipe by using a clockwise screwing action, put on pipe rack (or vertical, preferred) on a desk NOT INSIDE A DRAWER OR BOX. Let it dry out for a day or two. Smoke and enjoy.

If it is still stinky, you need to clean the inside of the bowl. Use the salt and booze solution posted elsewhere. You may also need to ream out yucky cake.

I find that keeping a pipe clean after each smoke reduces the necessity of frequent scrubbing. Just like teeth, keeping 'em clean after each use is easier (and cheaper) than having a dentist clean them for you.

[Mister Moo]

Originally Posted by Dzrtrat

don't get it on the outside of the bowl as it can [or will, instantly, without mercy] lift the finish.

One drip always takes the finish off my pipes. I'm an expert on one-drip finish removal.

[parkland1]

Recently I purchased my first ever kaywoodie pipe with a metal stinger insert. Does anyone have any experience with conditioning / cleaning pipes with stingers?

[GregNJ]

I'm curious what the word "Navy" means, in reference to a blend. Thanks.

Greg

[Commander Quan]

Originally Posted by parkland1

Recently I purchased my first ever kaywoodie pipe with a metal stinger insert. Does anyone have any experience with conditioning / cleaning pipes with stingers?

Is it removable? I have a Parker that had the insert and I took it out, I think it smokes better that way and you can run pipe cleaner down through it.

[Commander Quan]

Originally Posted by GregNJ

I'm curious what the word "Navy" means, in reference to a blend. Thanks.

Greg

Navy Flakes have a hint of rum flavor to them.

[parkland1]

Originally Posted by GregNJ

I'm curious what the word "Navy" means, in reference to a blend. Thanks.

Greg

Basically we're talking about a Virginia tobacco sometimes with some burley although you can also find them with a perique, and usually this tobacco has rum added to it and some sweet flavors. The flake refers to the cut of tobacco. So, you can have a variety of navy blends out there.