This pipe is another one of those that has been languishing in my refurb box for quite some time - long enough that I can't remember exactly when or where I acquired it! High time to give it some attention. Here is how the pipe looked when I brought it to the worktable. It was… Continue reading Sprucing Up a Beautiful Scantic Denmark 401 Billiard
Here's an interesting Brigham pipe for those with a penchant for something out of the ordinary. I spotted this 5-Dot on eBay and though I admit that the shape isn't really my thing, I was nonetheless captivated. I entered a bid and won the auction. In due time, the pipe arrived at the house and… Continue reading Stem Repairs for a Unique Late 1980s Brigham 5-Dot
Today's post is another trial of the replacement aluminum tenon/filter holders I designed and made in my shop for use in repairing vintage Canadian-made Brigham pipes. If you missed the earlier post on the development of these tenons, you can find it here. As I've mentioned previously, Brigham moved to the newer composite tenons in… Continue reading Major Stem Repairs and a New Aluminum Tenon for a 1980s-Era Brigham 365 Bent Acorn
Back in early September of this year, I picked up a cased pair of pipes at a local antique sale. The first pipe found inside the nicely fitted case (marked "Special" over Barling's" over "London Make") was a Peterson Kapmeer 24S, about which I wrote in November. Today's post will look at the work done… Continue reading Rebuilding a Vintage Stem on a Pre-Transition Barling 1372
Twice a year there is a large antiques and collectibles show in my area. I love digging through the stalls at events like this, and though I've noticed a decided turn away from actual antiques towards "upcycled" or "gentrified old stuff" at this particular show, I still managed to come away with a few interesting… Continue reading A Good Cleaning & Stem Repair for a Peterson Kapmeer 24S
A while back I wrote about a Comoy's-made John's Pipe Shop briar to which I fit a new stem. Dating from between 1910 and 1940, I was quite taken with the quality of that pipe, so I was keen to work on another. When I pulled this John's sibling from the refurb box, I knew… Continue reading Restoration of a John’s Natural 532 by Comoy’s
Although some pipe retailers out there carry estate pipes, many of us find our vintage briars at antique shops, garage sales or similar places. Sometime, however, a new pipe smoker will inherit a cherished pipe from a family member. Such is the case with this Chacom Auteuil Bent Billiard, which belonged to the current owner's… Continue reading Saving a Burned Out Heirloom Chacom Auteuil 115 Oval Shank Bent Billiard
I received an email from Peterson pipe aficionado Mark Irwin of Peterson Pipe Notes recently, with a request for some help restoring the stem on an intricately carved bulldog shaped pipe. The brand is a new one for me. As Mark explained in his note, the fellow who owned the tiny BPL (Briar Pipe Line)… Continue reading Restoring an Irish Made BPL Carved Bent Bulldog
I found this Peterson pipe at a local antique mall a few months ago and finally had the chance to pull it from the refurb box and clean it up. As you can see from the attached pics, it had some cosmetic issues to contend with, mainly a heavily oxidized and mineral crusted stem. Made… Continue reading An Easy Yet Remarkable Transformation for a Peterson System Standard 312
In today's post I'll be working on the first of two Brigham Canuck prototype pipes I wrote up last time. This Pot shaped pipe, probably made in the 1940's or early 1950's, was certainly showing its age when I brought it to the worktable to start cleaning it up. The body of the pipe wasn't… Continue reading Re-Discovering Brigham’s Canuck Line of Pipes and Rehabilitating Two Prototypes – Part II
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