pre-carbonization - thoughts...

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Danish Guy

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I feel weird posting this, but most of the pipes I have ever boughten or had made for me never had any pre-carbonization done to the bowls. I like it that way. I have had a pipes last year that was carbonized, but the taste was not noticeable. However, I just bought a nice pipe by a famous pipemaker and a rather old-timer that had the black carbonization. Well - let's say the first 5 bowls were absolutely horrific. It took at least 12 bowls to taste the tobacco. Cleaners cam out BLACK! FUNKY! Really funky! After 17 bowls still not getting the taste of the tobacco but an acrid taste as such. Beautiful pipe, nice draw, but other factors just don't cut it. Pipemaker will remain anonymous. Many of the other new bowls smoked nice from the first bowl even uncaked. Your thoughts?

I know patience is needed - and I plan on giving it more time but for the $ and the pipe ---- damn what a disappointment!
 
Think of a pre-carb as a pipemaker's insurance policy. It makes it very difficult for a careless smoker to burn out his $1000 artisan and then demand a refund because the pipe was "defective." Finding a pre-carb formula that doesn't leave an unpleasant taste is difficult. If you really like the pipe but hate pre-carbs, I would suggest you lightly sand the chamber before smoking the pipe.
 
There pre-carbonizations are worse than others, such as Peterson's and Brebbia's. I have no preference either way really as I understand why they are done. One of my favorite pipes though is a pre-carb, which caked up very nicely.
 
if I knew that it was pre-carbed I never would have boughten it. I will never get another pipe from this maker that is for sure. It is gorgeous though.
 
It's never mattered to me and I've never had any bad taste from a coating, if I had or ever do I'll just sand the coating out of the bowl. Easy, Peasy, Japanesey!  ;) 
I don't believe a coating in a bowl should ever reflect on the maker, as Jesse said it is for precautionary measures, CMA so to speak. If you don't want the coating and your getting one from a artisan carver or special ordering from a maker you can always ask them not to put one in.  ;)
 
I don’t taste any pre-carbonization.  I was surprised to get a pipe that did not have it a long time ago.  I wondered how long it would take to kake it.  I was surprised at how much easier the non-carbonized bowl was to make.  However, I would not be upset if an artisan I really liked carbonized the bowl before I received it.  I just sand it a bit or bathe it in alcohol and salt (not the outside, LOL) to reduce the carbonized smell and taste.
 
I will be willing to bet that 95 out of 100 couldn't tell the difference in a blind test.
 
sorry - but if you tried this pipe - you cough and choke and say WTF are you burning in there?

Seriously. That is why I posted. That is also why I was hesitant to post this thread. I was amazed. Negatively too, I must add.
 
Danish Guy":70kqw32h said:
he had no comment.
I'd just asked him/her if they would kindly remove the coating from the bowl for you. I'm sure they'll oblige, it's not all that hard to do.

But, I would make certain it's the coating and not the tobacco or something else that has affected the smoke before continuing.
 
I began smoking when most pipes did not have the coating but have acquired pipes with since then and really have not discerned ANY difference, but my palate has been altered by 40 + years of smoking and probably isn't as sensitive as some have  :twisted: :twisted: Everybody's mouths are different so I couldn't say there is a one decision concerning this sort of thing that fits ALL cases.  :twisted: :twisted:
 
Not a big fan of pre carb. I always sand it out. Aside from the terrible taste I like to check the chamber walls before I light up.
 
Some Pre-Cadagon Comoy pipes had a cabonization process for the bowls...didn't affect the taste or cake building.  I don't think it is the same process that is used today.
Saw a "new Comoy" in a cigar shop here in town...cheap looking with a thick plastic stem and a big chunk of fill right in front.  Damn them, they have destroyed the brand that used to be smoked with pride.
 
My only experience with this sort of thing is the Yello-Bole coating and a Grabow "pre-smoked." Everything else was either bare wood (new) or pre-caked (estate). I think the Yello-Bole coatings work great, and I don't discern a taste to them. I realize they aren't cool, and they don't come on fancy pipes, but it is possible to have a coated bowl w/o creating problems...
 
the pipe in questions and the maker was bought through a serious vendor and the maker is in Europe.  When I bought it over the phone the guy did not say anything about that and also knew less than I did about the pipe and maker.

As mentioned I had another pipe last year ( no longer have it) that was from a european maker and it had a coating but you really did not notice any weird taste - esp on bowl 2.  This particular one though - PHEEEEW!!!! and throw in a BLEEEECHHHHHH!!! too.    :D


Oh - thanks everyone for your thoughts! will slug through as planned. bowl 25 should be the winner! :p 
 
Fr_Tom":f00svx2s said:
My only experience with this sort of thing is the Yello-Bole coating and a Grabow "pre-smoked." Everything else was either bare wood (new) or pre-caked (estate). I think the Yello-Bole coatings work great, and I don't discern a taste to them. I realize they aren't cool, and they don't come on fancy pipes, but it is possible to have a coated bowl w/o creating problems...  
I have an Ardor, Askwith and a few others that have a coated bowl. I don't know if you'd call them fancy but, I call them higher end pipes at least.
 
Cartaphilus":fc75lwbl said:
I have an Ardor, Askwith and a few others that have a coated bowl. I don't know if you'd call them fancy but, I call them higher end pipes at least.
They are high end in my book. I have never paid much attention to the coatings. This will be something I notice now.

Congrats on kicking the cigarette habit!
 
Re: the mention of Tobacco being an issue. I have smoked the smae batch of tobacco in other pipes with the rich taste and consistent taste and aroma. this one pipe though...

so you can rule out thetobacco variable. Just went out and did a bowl in this specific pipe which was all cleaned and I still do not get that taste or aroma.

Could just be a lemon of a pipe. Not the first. But... am saddened.

thanks.
 
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