Have only been smoking my Falcon today it is built for thrashing like all Falcons trying to build up cake to see the difference my self.
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
GBD Prehistoric Bulldog: Update
Well, I spent an hour starting the clean up of this pipe. It had never been reamed, or had a pipe cleaner through it by the looks of things. Whilst cleaning the bit a weird tobacco goo formed over the entire bit, never seen anything like it. GROSS. Dear lord it was stinky and sticky and stained everything. The bowl was clogged, it appeared to have been smoked until it filled the draught hole with char and baccy then simply thrown aside.
Also, I'm not certain that it has it's original bit. The bit's fit was sloppy and the facing on either it or the shank (I suspect the shank) is terrible. The shank may have been bashed (with stem removed) to try and clear it. Sad, such a beautiful pipe so abused. i heated up the sand and compressed the tenon a tad to get a tight union, so at least that is fixed.
After polishing with three compounds and wheels I then tried an old toothbrush with olive oil. It worked a bit, but there is still a long way to go. This one will need the carnauba I think, will see.
Also, I'm not certain that it has it's original bit. The bit's fit was sloppy and the facing on either it or the shank (I suspect the shank) is terrible. The shank may have been bashed (with stem removed) to try and clear it. Sad, such a beautiful pipe so abused. i heated up the sand and compressed the tenon a tad to get a tight union, so at least that is fixed.
After polishing with three compounds and wheels I then tried an old toothbrush with olive oil. It worked a bit, but there is still a long way to go. This one will need the carnauba I think, will see.
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| Before |
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| After |
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Stanwell Freehand 63M
Orlik Strong Dark Kentucky Flakes - Smoked by all shrewd judges
I had an email from a pipe forum member, I thought I'd feature him as my post for the day! Below is the last in a string of emails. I love this tobacco, sweet, earthy, full and fruity.
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Dear Chuck,
The ODSKF has always been right up there with the old style (original) Balkan Sobranie for my taste-buds and smoking style. Attached is a photograph of a ODSKF flake (or several. have yet to take the photograph) from one of my tins.
Keep in mind that this flake has been aged 15 years and is much darker than when fresh. I'm also towards the end of this tin so whole flakes are hard to come by! These were the most complete three I could find. Hope it helps.
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| Note how yellowed the cardboard is, 15 years with tobacco will do that! |
Monday, March 11, 2013
Re-carve: Old Briar 512
This one was nasty dirty and painted with both black paint and shellac. In the first photo it looks okish, but trust me it was nasty So, I figured that it's briar and that it's not worth anything, so why not give it a re-carve and see what happens?
Well, lessons learnt today:
1. Briar is hard, even sharp tools slide off it.
2. Sanding disks in a hobo drill setup take off a lot of material - FAST
3. My god briar is hard. I learnt this several times and in several different ways so it gets another mention.
4. Symmetry is very hard to achieve when you are trying to work around existing things such as rustication. I had to take off a lot of material and as a result left a few places very thin (bottom of the shank for one).
5. Re-facing a stummel is a pain without some sort of guide to align the cut 90 degrees to the mortise.
Well, lessons learnt today:
1. Briar is hard, even sharp tools slide off it.
2. Sanding disks in a hobo drill setup take off a lot of material - FAST
3. My god briar is hard. I learnt this several times and in several different ways so it gets another mention.
4. Symmetry is very hard to achieve when you are trying to work around existing things such as rustication. I had to take off a lot of material and as a result left a few places very thin (bottom of the shank for one).
5. Re-facing a stummel is a pain without some sort of guide to align the cut 90 degrees to the mortise.
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| The original pipe. |
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| Hobo pipe sanding and shaping disc. |
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| Step 1: Remove most of the rustication. 80 grit sanding pad...WOW briar eater! |
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| Hobo pipe clamp. Old rake handle...meet pipe. |
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| I had to remove a lot of material to get through all of the rustication. A cup of tea and redesign was required! |
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| After much sanding I stopped here for the night, sun had gone down. May have to wait all week before I can work on it again...big week at work. I'm happy with the general shape and the symmetry is getting there. The stem/shank interface is terrible and the rim is close to even but not close enough. The shank is square with rounded corners. Note also the bit has gone from a double saddle to a single saddle. If I manage not to kill the pipe (have come close a few times) this one will head to Hobo Dave for extensive 'testing'. |
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