Briar pipes

[jrfoxx]

Received a pre-2010 stanwell Majestic as part of a generous bomb, and wondered if there's anything I should know about Briar vs Cobb, like it will ghost with super flavorful or aromatic tobaccos, needs something to be done prior to use, etc.

I friggin love cigars

[dj1340]

When I bought that pipe it came just as you see it. Seller said it had been cleaned so it should be ready to use. When first started
with only 1 pipe, I cleaned it really well after each use. In my experience, it takes somewhat prolonged use of 1 type to ghost
a pipe. After each use i would dip a pipe cleaner in alcohol and run it thru the stem then fold the pipe cleaner in half, soak again
and rub it around the bowl. That worked for me for some time until I bought more pipes and dedicated the to 1 particular type of tobacco.

That's just me so others may have ideas as well.

I prefer to use rum or whiskey instead of isopropyl alcohol.

[jrfoxx]

Cool, thanks.

Many members on PSD forums said Briar was prone to ghosting easily, and someone asked about hitting the bowl with a propane torch prior to use, so figured I should ask.

Now that I have a Cobb and a really nice looking Briar, I'll stick to non-aromatics and not overly strong tobaccos in it just to be safe, and use my Cobb for them instead, as I'm told Cobb is super forgiving and doesn't ghost unless you smoke a ton of a single strong aromatic in it.

And thanks again for the pipe and tobaccos. I suspect I'll enjoy the pipe as much as I did the tobaccos.

I friggin love cigars

[jrfoxx]

And since you brought up cleaning, how do you know it's time to clean a pipe thoroughly ie: multiple pipe cleaners thru the stem, scrape the bowl with my tool, or is alcohol like you mentioned better?, etc

Is everything the same between the different pipe materials when it comes to cleaning (although I don't see myself accumulating a bunch of pipes like most people. 2 seems sufficient to me)?

I friggin love cigars

[LazyLightning]

I used to use Whiskey to clean mine, then switched to Everclear.

You shouldn’t scrape the inside chamber, you want a “cake’ layer to form. It insulates the pipe, and protects it from possible burn through.

As for how often to clean, after every smoke. I run one or two dry pipe cleaners down the stem and shank into the chamber. Gets excess moisture out, then take one or two more dry cleaners and bend them in half. Then gently wipe the inside of the chamber out ( like your dusting ) If you are doing it hard, it will take longer for cake to form.

Deep cleaning, where I take them apart. Clean everything with Everclear, and ream the chamber. That depends on how much use that particular pipe gets, but typically every 6-8 months.

One word of caution, do not let the booze get on the outside of the bowl. It will discolor and strip the finish off. Just a heads up!

HTH
Chris

[jrfoxx]

Thanks for the no scraping advice. My pipe lighter has a dull, serrated on the side, tool in it along with a poker and tamper, so I just assumed scraping was occasionally necessary.

No booze allowed at the veteran's home, so I'll get some 91% or 99% isopropyl alcohol to use with the pipe cleaners and nylon brushes since they hold some alcohol too.

I friggin love cigars

[jrfoxx]

I'll say, the Stanwell has a deceptively large bowl, and a very open draw. Have to be careful not to get too much smoke at once. Unlike Cigars, a smaller amount of smoke seems to be better to really taste it with pipe tobacco. Too much is easily overwhelming to the pallette

I friggin love cigars

[jrfoxx]

When I bought that pipe it came just as you see it. Seller said it had been cleaned so it should be ready to use. When first started
with only 1 pipe, I cleaned it really well after each use. In my experience, it takes somewhat prolonged use of 1 type to ghost
a pipe. After each use i would dip a pipe cleaner in alcohol and run it thru the stem then fold the pipe cleaner in half, soak again
and rub it around the bowl. That worked for me for some time until I bought more pipes and dedicated the to 1 particular type of tobacco.

That's just me so others may have ideas as well.

I prefer to use rum or whiskey instead of isopropyl alcohol.Does 70% isopropyl alcohol work fine, or do I need to get some 91% or 99%?

I'm guessing 70% is fine if liquor some prefer works fine

I friggin love cigars

[dj1340]

I think any will work. The small problem is 100% will evaporate leaving nothing behind and the others have some residual left behind.
Use what you have and don't sweat the small stuff. People can get caught up over thinking things

[LazyLightning]

JMHO,
I wouldn’t use that tool with the serrated edge. For now stick with pipe cleaners, a standard CHEAP, 3 in 1 Czech tool works great. Tamper, rounded scoop, and a short poker.

Later when they need a real deep clean and there’s cake built up. I’ll suggest a reaming set, that’s always worked perfect for me. But that’s for down the line a while. You can get a set, or wait till needed. I’ll get mine out and show you, if you’d like.

[jrfoxx]

JMHO,
I wouldn’t use that tool with the serrated edge. For now stick with pipe cleaners, a standard CHEAP, 3 in 1 Czech tool works great. Tamper, rounded scoop, and a short poker.

Later when they need a real deep clean and there’s cake built up. I’ll suggest a reaming set, that’s always worked perfect for me. But that’s for down the line a while. You can get a set, or wait till needed. I’ll get mine out and show you, if you’d like.If you don't mind, that would be great, as I can't picture a reamer as wide as a bowl, but have seen them for the shank (?) And stem.

I friggin love tobacco!

[jrfoxx]

I think any will work. The small problem is 100% will evaporate leaving nothing behind and the others have some residual left behind.
Use what you have and don't sweat the small stuff. People can get caught up over thinking thingsWas mainly asking as I know of no place in town that even sells the standard 70% , so if I have to buy online anyway, might as well get what would work best, and without residue as you mentioned.

I friggin love tobacco!

[jrfoxx]

JMHO,
I wouldn’t use that tool with the serrated edge. For now stick with pipe cleaners, a standard CHEAP, 3 in 1 Czech tool works great. Tamper, rounded scoop, and a short poker.

Later when they need a real deep clean and there’s cake built up. I’ll suggest a reaming set, that’s always worked perfect for me. But that’s for down the line a while. You can get a set, or wait till needed. I’ll get mine out and show you, if you’d like.Thoughts on this one for $15?
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230813/7891b82de3a754976cbee22f8580831f.jpg

I friggin love tobacco!

[jrfoxx]

JMHO,
I wouldn’t use that tool with the serrated edge. For now stick with pipe cleaners, a standard CHEAP, 3 in 1 Czech tool works great. Tamper, rounded scoop, and a short poker.

Later when they need a real deep clean and there’s cake built up. I’ll suggest a reaming set, that’s always worked perfect for me. But that’s for down the line a while. You can get a set, or wait till needed. I’ll get mine out and show you, if you’d like.Went with the reamer pictured as I was ordering from Amazon anyway, and I like that it's a single, adjustable tool. No pieces to lose or have rattling around in my draw for years, plus it could be adjusted to leave a bit of the buildup in place, as it's my understanding that it helps protect the bowl, and keeps it cooler.

I friggin love tobacco!

[LazyLightning]

I’ve never use that kind, but I know people who have with good success.
You’re not gonna need it for a while but when you do if it doesn’t work out right, I’ll find you a set like mine.

[jrfoxx]

I’ve never use that kind, but I know people who have with good success.
You’re not gonna need it for a while but when you do if it doesn’t work out right, I’ll find you a set like mine.Sweet, thanks.

Is your the handle that has multiple sized readers that click into the handle?

I saw that type on Amazon and debated it, and ultimately decided I like single, multipurpose, tools instead. Nothing to lose, rattle around in a drawer for years, and potentially get damaged in the process.

Plus, I've had a number of people say that some cake/buildup in a bowl is actually a good thing, as it apparently helps potect the bowls material, and keeps it from getting hot. So, I figured when the time comes, I could adjust it to only remove some of the buildup vs all of it, and prevent scraping the wood inside the bowl from being a tight fit.

I feel like I'd have more control with the adjustable one, especially as a novice, as I can adjust it slowly to get it to where I want it.

I friggin love tobacco!

[LazyLightning]

Yes, mine is a handle with several sized attachments.

When I ream mine, I just do enough to clean, but leave a layer of cake inside, but it’s a little trial and error at first.

My set is similar to this one
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/617NWJQVLxL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg

[jrfoxx]

Yes, mine is a handle with several sized attachments.

When I ream mine, I just do enough to clean, but leave a layer of cake inside, but it’s a little trial and error at first.

My set is similar to this one
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/617NWJQVLxL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpgYup, saw those on Amazon when I was looking at reamers. Just seemed like fixed diameter bits would be hard to scrape enough to clean it, but leaving a layer behind, and an adjustable would be easier.

Plus, I have enough stuff rattling around in my cigar and pipe equipment drawer to have 5 bits rolling around too and potentially bumping together and getting damaged. Plus, I'm just a big fan of all in one types of tools.

Sounds like both work just fine, and take a little experimenting to get it to just how thick you want the remainder to be

I friggin love tobacco!