Basic cleaning steps for Estate pipes

[Greyson]

Hey guys, I'm looking at a couple of estate pipes that appear to be in good order but are heavily used. I don't know the first thing about cleaning up an old dirty pipe, but I'd like to learn. Can anyone give me a brief rundown of supplies and techniques for cleaning and sanitising an old briar pipe? Or maybe point me to a previous thread that did it, I looked through a few pages and saw mentions of alcohol cleaning and salt filling, but not really a idiots guide to pipe cleaning like I need.

 

[monbla256]

Here's a link to what some of your brothers north of you over there have to say about this:

http://edinburghpipeclub.blogspot.com/2011/06/cleaning-estate-pipe.html

 

[Greyson]

Looks like exactly what I am looking for, much obliged monbla!

 

[MisterE]

Here are some techniques that are popular for refurbishing estate pipes.

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Click around you tube and you'll find tons of videos on the topic. I personally don't do the stem bleaching or the salt treatment, but this will work.

Instead, I use cotton balls if I choose to leech the bowl out with alcohol, and various grades of waterproof sandpaper for the stems.

FWIW

 

[Schmitzbitz]

Mr. Steve Laug; pipe restorer extrordinaire and keeper of the briar for the Vancouver Pipe Club has recently launched a blog on the restoration process that is well worth a look.

Reborn Pipes by Steve Laug