JCinPA
The Lather Maestro
I've been looking around the Interwebz looking for routine pipe maintenance, to keep them from becoming the filthy, oxidized, caked messes we see in restoration blogs. I've seen Muttonchop Piper (Lordy he loves the sound of his voice, doesn't he? Nice guy and great info, but all his vids are at least 4X as long as they need to be, but I digress), Stuff 'n Things, the forum at pipes magazine, etcetera. Being the OCD type I am, I've tried a lot of the ideas I've seen there. Chapstick on stems, olive oil on stummels, flavored alcohols for sweetening stummels, etcetera.
While 'home remedies' often work well, or repurposed products, like my Howard's Butcher Block conditioner, I've found a few pipe-specific products I really like and think are likely worth the money, and thought I'd share. Also, I'd love it if you shared any tips you've found that are particularly helpful in maintaining your pipes, too! There is no excuse for a pipe to get so nasty it's no longer usable, it's so unecessary.
Anyway, I like clean, shiny pipes, but I go more for the matter look rather than the hard shiny you get from buffed carnauba wax, but that's just me. It's a personal preference, for sure. After reading about them, I ordered two pipe waxes, Halcyon II, intended for blasted and rusticated pipes, and Paragon, intended for smooth stummels and stems. I've also had Obsidian stem oil for years. Before going on, I note that an olive oil polish with a t-shirt or microfiber cloth does work. And mineral oil or chapstick on stems does work. So these are by no means necessary. And debate rages about Obsidian stem oil, with many saying it's just mineral oil, and the maker and fans saying it has some magical ingredients. All I know is I love it, and a small bottle is a lifetime supply for any of us, I'm sure.
Photos then chat.
That is a pipe I purchased refurbished from rebornpipes.com. Linky here:
He, in fact, used Halcyon II on it, I just touched it up this morning. It's become a favorite pipe, maybe right behind the stunning LE 2021 @Whisky so generously PIF'd which I am not the proud owner of. Supposedly the Halcyon II and Paragon are speciically designed for use without a buffer, although you can also buff them. They are supposedly harder than carnauba, but how would I know? After a few uses I dampened the pipe stummel with a paper towels and wiped it thoroughly, then spread a very small amount of Halcyon II on it with my finger. I also used the Obsidian on the stem. You just top the bottle with your index finger and invert it, then put the bottle back down, and you have the perfect amount for one stem. Spread it liberally. Let each set for a little while, then come back and buff the stem with a microfiber cloth. Then put the pipe back together and rather than rub the cloth over the stummel, hold the pipe and rub it vigorously on the cloth in your open palm to build up a little heat. A minute or so of that and you have a gorgeous, clean and shiny pipe again.
I will try the Paragon wax on a smooth stummel later today. I endorse both of these products heartily.
While 'home remedies' often work well, or repurposed products, like my Howard's Butcher Block conditioner, I've found a few pipe-specific products I really like and think are likely worth the money, and thought I'd share. Also, I'd love it if you shared any tips you've found that are particularly helpful in maintaining your pipes, too! There is no excuse for a pipe to get so nasty it's no longer usable, it's so unecessary.
Anyway, I like clean, shiny pipes, but I go more for the matter look rather than the hard shiny you get from buffed carnauba wax, but that's just me. It's a personal preference, for sure. After reading about them, I ordered two pipe waxes, Halcyon II, intended for blasted and rusticated pipes, and Paragon, intended for smooth stummels and stems. I've also had Obsidian stem oil for years. Before going on, I note that an olive oil polish with a t-shirt or microfiber cloth does work. And mineral oil or chapstick on stems does work. So these are by no means necessary. And debate rages about Obsidian stem oil, with many saying it's just mineral oil, and the maker and fans saying it has some magical ingredients. All I know is I love it, and a small bottle is a lifetime supply for any of us, I'm sure.
Photos then chat.
That is a pipe I purchased refurbished from rebornpipes.com. Linky here:
The Mystery of Blue Hill
Blog by Kenneth Lieblich The title sounds like a Hardy Boys story, does it not? Well, it is not that exciting. Next on the chopping block is a peculiar pipe: it is both superbly made and unattracti…
rebornpipes.com
He, in fact, used Halcyon II on it, I just touched it up this morning. It's become a favorite pipe, maybe right behind the stunning LE 2021 @Whisky so generously PIF'd which I am not the proud owner of. Supposedly the Halcyon II and Paragon are speciically designed for use without a buffer, although you can also buff them. They are supposedly harder than carnauba, but how would I know? After a few uses I dampened the pipe stummel with a paper towels and wiped it thoroughly, then spread a very small amount of Halcyon II on it with my finger. I also used the Obsidian on the stem. You just top the bottle with your index finger and invert it, then put the bottle back down, and you have the perfect amount for one stem. Spread it liberally. Let each set for a little while, then come back and buff the stem with a microfiber cloth. Then put the pipe back together and rather than rub the cloth over the stummel, hold the pipe and rub it vigorously on the cloth in your open palm to build up a little heat. A minute or so of that and you have a gorgeous, clean and shiny pipe again.
I will try the Paragon wax on a smooth stummel later today. I endorse both of these products heartily.