Hi guys,

I've got a solid 2mm+ of char on the inside of my briar pipe's bowl and counting and, while I'm enjoying the cool smoking performance, I'm beginning to notice the real estate shrinkage as I can't pack very much tobacco in anymore. I'd like to remove the bulk of the char layer but, of course, don't want to lose the seasoning. Can anyone recommend a good technique or tool to help me *carefully* open up the pipe?

Dremel? :-)
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are you talking about cake build up? if so the only way i now of to get rid of it is to ream the pipe and start over
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Yes, I am. Thank you.

So, there's no practical way to leave just a thin layer?
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You're a doctor, dammit, not an engineer! Grab that surgical laser and have at it!
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Ah've geven et ahl she's got, cap'n. She cannae tek it, any mohr!
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I do believe there is an adjustable reamer tool you should be able to use. I personally get out the sandpaper and a chunk of dowel and just sand off any cake I dont want.
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here is a helpful instructional: http://pipesmagazine.com/python/gene...-tobacco-pipe/
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Cake can be cut cleanly with a sharp blade, scraped with a dull blade or sanded with a strip of fine grit wrapped on a piece of dowel. There are about 100,000 versions of commercially made reamers available, too - there isn't exactly one type that suits every pipe but most fit many. I favor a Senior Reamer for taking care of lots of pipes, estate refurbing, etc. For one pipe? Sandpaper and a dowel or, if you are careful, an Exact-o knife or small paring knife with a blunt tip.

You can remove as much (or little) cake from a pipe as you wish. There is no reason to ream a pipe down to bare wood. Leave about a dime's thickness to handle heat and moisture. Removing cake makes a small mess. Don't do it on a white tablecloth.

Charring, when talking about pipes, invariably refers to charred wood. Sandpaper works for charring, too.

Black crud all over a pipe rim isn't usually cake or charring. It is what we call black crud all over the pipe rim. It mostly comes off with a spit/paper towel rub-down.

And so on.

See the "Ask an Old Fart" thread for many "how to" Q&A's.
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Thank you, guys- excellent, very usable stuff! :-)
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After scraping excess char I usually do a salt and alcohol treatment then a bit of sanding. The briar will still be seasoned just a little fresher.........................:-)
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I do the same thing but use my pinkie finger with the sandpaper. No reason to buy a dowel unless you have one laying around.

Make sure you knock out all of the carbon and give a blow through your mouthpiece before your next smoke.
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My husband uses a surgical blade to scrape it and does a little sanding for the excess char.
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