Crud On or Crud Off?

[Mister Moo]

I am asked so many times, "Mister Moo! Do you think it's best we wipe the crud off our pipe rims or do think we should leave it there forevermore?"

It's always a hot topic in pipeworld - "Crud on or crud off?" For myself, I have moostly been a crud-on man but, to be honest, there are some rims that beg to be kept clean. Also, when a multiplicity of pipes are stored in a large pipe box, the constant handling, fondling and rearranging of pipes (by type, size or personal preference) can get tars and ashes gommed up all over the place.

To the best of my knowledge the pipe (and cruddy rims) predated cigars. As much as the cigar smoker is preoccupied wth cello and bands (on or off) it seems natural that the caring pipesmoker should constantly revisit, discuss and, perhaps, someday resolve the age old question, "Crud on or crud off?"

[Pugsley]

I'm definitely a crud off man. To me, leaving the crud on is like leaving jelly in my mustache after eating a PBJ.

[Bruck]

I put "not sure" bcs "ambivalent" was not one of the options

[JustTroItIn]

I try my best to keep the crud off. I have a Microfiber towel at my desk and will use it to wipe my pipes down during smoking. For the rims a little spit on the towel and a bit of a wipe.

[Cool Breeze]

I only have one nice pipe and I definitely keep it wiped off. It's a beautiful pipe and I like it looking good.

I smoke several cobs and I dont bother with them.

[cpmcdill]

I don't clean the rim of the bowl as often as I clean out the stem and shank, but when I feel it's time for other maintenance I will also clean the rim. I feel that the crud is cake that has gone out of bounds, and I like to look at the grain on the rim, so it it's become blackened, I use a scrap of flannel and spit to dissolve the crud. If it's too stubborn for spit I use Everclear, then apply a fresh coat of briar polish. If there's evidence of charring I will use high-grit sandpaper and micro-mesh pads to restore the wood.

Oh, and with regard to the cigar band on/off debate, I leave bands on, just in case the cap starts to unravel. sliding up the band close to the head will keep the rest of the wrapper from coming off. It has saved many a cigar.

[Horseshoe]

I try to keep mine clean. I have one rustic pipe that is almost impossible to keep clean because of all the ridges. I just use a q-tip and wet it in my mouth. It usually comes right off.

[HabanoMan]

I try to keep mine clean, especially the meer.

[LandonColby]

it's a loaded question for me. I voted "crud off" but I don't mind a slight, even darkening all the way around. I get more of a build up on the bit of the rim closest to your face because my face is always down in a book or something while smoking...so I clean that off. And if it's a cob I actually like the rugged look of a charred rim...so then it stays on.

[quo155]

Looks like (at this point, after 10 votes) I'm the only "crud on"! What is that! I see pipes frequently with the crud on, so a little confusing to me, the vote.

I tend to only smoke an array of cobs and I'm "country", so I like it, the crud, charring, whatever. I rarely smoke a non-cob pipe but even those, I tend to leave the crud on and build up...shows a history to me. But, I don't have any expensive pipes in my collection...yet. I am sure if I did, or when I find a meer I can afford...I'll most likely keep it clean, I'd imagine.

Either way, super cool poll and thread!