Beeswax will darken unlike other pipe polishes, oils or waxes; this makes it undesirable for someone with a light-finished pipe if they want to stay that way. It also goes a little tacky at relatively low temperature, typically the case with beeswax-coated meerschaum pipes. Beeswax is quick to pick up dirt, oil or tobacco pieces that may be on the smokers hands/fingers. So, while there's nothing inherently wrong with applying beeswax on briar you should know your pipe may unexpectedly darken and the exterior will probably get sticky by mid-smoke.
[Reply]

As long as there is nothing INHERENTLY wrong, lol. Newbness strikes again.:-)
[Reply]

Thanks for the tips guys. I've realized I have a lot of open tins. I hate to see it get too dry. I'll prolly just get a few more mason jars or those Libbey ones. Not a fan of the ziploc, I just don't trust them..
[Reply]

Do I have to put a screen in the bottom of the bowl? I am about to smoke my first bowl ever.
[Reply]

nah
[Reply]

Just got a lot of 5 estate pipes off fleebag. They need a good cleaning. Whats the best way to go about cleaning them?
Thanks in advance.
[Reply]

Scrape old crap from the bowl with a Czech pipe tool; spit/paper towel to clean grunge off the rim; wipe bowl exterior with damp soapy cloth until clean; Everclear dipped bristle pipecleaners to rout out the stems. That's the easy stuff.

If the stem are vulcanite and have yellowed, greened or browned there are more serious measures to investigate. Start with Magic Eraser or toothpaste and baking soda for the easiest first effort at removing oxidation. There are all kinds of approaches to cleaning stems, some easier than others. Soaking in OxyClean is said to work; bleach soaking DOES work but can damage (or whiten) markings on a stem and it also furs up vulcanite, thus demanding a fine sanding or polishing after a soak.

Bowls invariably carry some kind of ghost or stink (not to mention spiders, fleas or germs). Brace bowl securely with stem removed in a tipped back position; pack with coarse kosher salt or cotton balls; fill gently to 80% full with Everclear or 91% unscented rubbing alcohol. Do not let drops of booze overflow or touch the outside of the pipe - it'll strip finish in one micro-second. Soak until dry, remove salt (or cotton) and, if nasty looking, refill and repeat. This process destinks, de-ghosts and sanitizes.

That's about it. Practice on the crappiest pipe first to refine your soak-and-scrub technique. Good results can be very rewarding.

http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showth...ghlight=estate
[Reply]

Thanks for the info going to tackle this over the weekend.
[Reply]

If you use salt, do not let it sit for more than 20 minutes. Salt soaks into the briar and may cause the pipe to crack. Use cotton balls and give it couple hours, no need to wait till evaporation.
[Reply]

I have a question for the Old Farts:

There is local convenience store that specializes mainly in cigars and alcohol, but has a fair share of pipe tobacco as well. Me question is, are there decent tobaccos that are more mass produced than others? I have a feeling they are not stocking some of the premium tobaccos you guys prefer, but what is a safe brand for me to look for to try?

Thanks!!
[Reply]

You need the American Classic Combo, Ken'oa: a pouch of Carter Hall (or Velvet or Prince Albert or Half & Half) a regular sized Missouri Meerschaum corncob pipe (not one of those little mini-things) a bag of fluffy (not bristle) pipecleaners and a Czech pipe multi-tool (or a 10-penny nail). Add to that a box of wood or paper matches and you are golden. $10 to play. Many have concluded it's the best smoking combination on earth at any price.
[Reply]

Might as well throw a pouch of Granger in there too Dan:-)


[Reply]

Thanks guys. :-)

I actually have all the equipment to play, I'm just not familiar with the brands of tobacco yet. Marc hooked my up good in the pipe NST, but I figured I might as well pick up some various tobaccos to have on hand and age.

Thanks again...I'll let you know what I pick up.
[Reply]

Yeah. Shame on me. How about that Granger? I never actually smoked any Granger, sad to say. I stopped at Carter Hall and figured it (and a cob) couldn't possibly get any better. Gotta try some Granger.
[Reply]

I know the answer may be in here somewhere but it took a while just to read through the first few pages. Can I keep pipe tobacco in a desk top humi?

Thanks in advance!
[Reply]

First answer No. Then..
A lot of factors can play a role in this answer. I'm not sure at what humidity tobacco is ideal to store. But you can keep it in there but it will dry out. Is it in the tin? Just laying it in there?

Two options I always use are as follows. If I'm going to smoke it, within the next 4-6weeks I just keep it in the tin. If I'm going to open a tin, and not smoke it often it goes in a rubber gasket/mason jar.
[Reply]

Why can't you keep tobacoo in the humi? I have! The problem is that if you have cigars in there too, they will take on the flavors of the tobacco, especially if it is an aromatic or English blend.

As for the humidity level of tobacco, everybody's tastes are different. I like my tobaccos much drier than they are when shipped.

Bulk tobacco I keep int mason jars.
If I have a few tins or pouches., I keep them in tupperware or complete seal rubbermaid.

Well, that's :-)

Peace of the Lord be with you.
[Reply]

I keep mine with Acids...lololol :-)
[Reply]

Right now I have five or six snack sized sandwich bags with maybe 2-5 oz in them and one tin, compliments of Troy the "tobacco as bubble wrap" bandit. I don't know how often I'll be smoking just yet and I don't what a bunch of mason jars lying around. I do have a couple of very small desktop humi's though. There would not be any cigars in there with the bags.
[Reply]

Sure, if you remove the sponge and or beads, but it will dry out in short order, 13% seems to be the humidity level for pipe tobacco, but peoples taste differ. Tobacco in plastic bags it will dry out to much, in or out of a humidor.

The non-aromatic cedar the humidor is lined with, will take on the aroma and flavor of the pipe tobacco, after which these aromas and flavors will be imparted to any cigars you put in the humidor, even after the pipe tobacco is gone.

Airtight jars are the best and safest bet.
[Reply]