A Better Pipe Smoking Community

Well, the pipe came today and I immediately got to work. I sanded down the crazy bits, and my goal was to meet the front dimple/crevasse. If I did that, I'd be ok with leaving some chips. I just wanted a flat surface, and any chips left would testify to its character (hopefully!). Had one minor hang up, and that was midway through, a piece of the bowl wall chipped off. It wasn't that bad, but a bit nerve-racking. It was certainly a reminder that I was working with an 83 year old (at least) pipe.

Well, today started out poorly. Lost 3 hard fought auctions and I thought I was gonna lose a last one. Well, I guess when you see "replacement stem" you ignore it. So I got a Dunhill from either 1918 (note the "o" subscript) to 1928 for $38.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270540434597&ssPageNa...

It'll be sent immediately to either Schulte's or another refurber. Needs a new, slightly bent stem (to be in line with the 07 shape). Have no idea what group size it is, but I presume small.

Maybe, it's because I've smoked a pipe for 48 years. But I like all different kinds of tobacco leaf. I currently rotate a numer of blends daily. No, I don't smoke them all in a day. But I get through most of them, weekly. I smoke about 4 to 6 different pipes every day and 4 to 6 blends per day. I am not searching for new blends to smoke or even necessarily try. You could say that I am "settled". Here is how it looks...

I cover the territory:

Non-Aromatics: Riverboat Gambler

Non-Aromatic Flakes: Dark Star, Sunday Picnic, OGS

Read the latest article on the Pipe Smokers Intelligencer web site at this location: http://pipesmokersintelligencer.org/journal/archives/748

I have posted a comment there, as well.

This afternoon I finished the cleanup process for 2 of the 4 estate I bought last Sunday.

The 1st one is a black, rusticated billiard with a long and very thin tapered stem.
It's and italian job, the label says "Capitol Bruyere" and "127 ITALY". I never heard about Capitol but the pipe looks to be very good, the rustication is not very deep but it is a professional job, very regular. It had a thick cake that I sanded almost to the bare wood. I really have to get a good reamer, sandpaper doesn't work well for the bottom cake.

Where have you been? You have been very quiet. So, you must prefer to read rather than write? That is ok, too. I want you to know that you are appreciated to whatever extent you are involved. Enjoy your birthday and have your favorite pipe full of your favorite tobacco on your special day.

Just like a bad case of some sort of fungus, I keep showing up now and then,

The world gets crazy, ya hang on for all you have, and when things settle down again, you try to get back to your roots.

To me, this place is my roots. I hope you all are well. I have a lot of perusing the sight to do.

I am well, the wife and kids are great.

I still smoke 2-3 bowl a day and am actively chasing Kaywoodies on eBay as well as a sweet Savinelli Dry System that is one fabulous smoke.

I will post pics soon as I am proud as heck of these beautiful pieces of briar.

Happy birthday Lars! Get well soon man, we miss you around here.

Kati's grandma is bringing the family back home from Indianapolis. I discovered too late that they were able to come home today or I'd be on my way up there to get them personally.

I want to thank all of you for your kindness throughout this ordeal. It has been a major encouragement.

Hey all. I have a pipe that I would like to re-stain, and am not all too sure of how to go about doing it. First off, what do you use to remove the existing stain? Do you sand it down to bare wood, or use a chemical remover?
Also, once I have applied the new stain, what should I seal it with?

Thanks for any input you can give.
:)