Estate Pipes
 

The idea of owning an estate "used" pipe is often an off putting idea to new pipe enthusiasts. So, what do you all think about estates and how many do you own???
Me... About 50 total pipes so far, all but my first three are estates!
Buying Estate pipes is a great way to own something that may not be currently made. One of mine is a Peterson Deluxe - no longer offered. One my best pipes. :tu
RR

Re: Estate Pipes
 

My Great Grandfather left a huge collection of pipes that I acquired this year...

Maybe because he is family, I wasn't overly turned off to the idea of smoking after him, a few salt treatments, a bit of magic eraser scrubbing on the stem, and they were good as new, I would like to get some purpose-made stem polish and bowl oil, but i found that car polish compound and virgin olive oil get the job done just fine...

Re: Estate Pipes
 

My personal collection has around 30 pipes or so. Not one of them was purchased new. You cannot beat the value of an estate pipe. That is just my preference, and as I refurb estate pipes all the time, I have gotten pretty good at bringing even the worst of estate pipes back to their original glory. If ghosting is a fear then salt treatments or a pipe retort is key. I personally use a pipe retort.

I think I have bought maybe 2 new out of the many I have owned over the years. I can't bring myself to pay the money anymore for a new one. It is the same for me when buying a car, as soon as it is driven off the lot it is used and the value drops, so I guess it is just how I do things.

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I have 72 pipes well 73 if you count the one that after I cleaned and reamed had a long crack down the bowl you couldn't see from out side without knowing where it is on the inside. Out of them only 8 are new rest are Estate some Vintage. Love to collect pipes. Still have about 20 that needs a good clean/restore

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Dang. I was just looking at mine tonight and I have 5 pipes. Been hunting garage sales and antique shops for estate pipes but no luck. Everything I seem to like on eBay goes sky high. Would love to see some pics of your collections.

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I have a smaller collection compared to some. I'd like to see a few pics as well!

Re: Estate Pipes
 

I have about 15 estate pipes all under $10 from ebay ,many selling for much more .

I clean them inside and out with EverClear then a good polish and wax .

Amazing how an ugly old dingy pipe becomes a beautiful work of art with a little elbow grease.

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Well I wasn't sure if you were asking to see my little collection or if it was meant to be posted for others that also said they had some pipes. So I have made a Thread with a few pictures of my little Collection. Didn't want to post it here as I didn't start the thread.
http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=67630
James

Re: Estate Pipes
 

Re: Estate Pipes
 

Appreciate the pics. Would love to see any other big collections as well.

Re: Estate Pipes
 

I'm relatively new to pipes and have a cob and a briar, and am now interested in looking into the estate side of pipe collecting. What pipes do you guys look for in estate pipes and what are some good qualities/types to look for in estate pipes?

Re: Estate Pipes
 

I'm really new to it myself, but I simply look for a shape that I like that's in pretty good shape to begin with and comes from a company that I'm familiar with. For example, I've found I like French pipes because they tend to have smaller bowls. If you see a pipe you like, research the company a little, take a look at what they're making now.

Re: Estate Pipes
 

5 estate, 8 new.
My estates started my.... collection and I bought the new ones to keep them company in the rack...:r
My estates were ones I wanted and couldn't afford or find new.
Only one 2 unsmoked.

Re: Estate Pipes
 

Check out this site; smokingpipes.com
They have new estates posted every Monday and Thursday around 3:40 pm. Need to check it out close to time when the post the new estates for the best buys. Not uncommon for the best buys to go within an hour. They have a great selection of tin and bulk pipe blends.

Re: Estate Pipes
 

Thanks Rob.

Re: Estate Pipes
 

I bought several estate pipes from eBay a few years ago. Most were clean and smokeable. A few, not so much. But they're pretty sweet now after a little work.
It's not a huge hobby of mine, so I didn't feel like justifying buying new pipes. Other than cobs, anyways.

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Just nabbed a Gresham Giant estate pipe on eBay today for a steal. I havent heard much of this maker but I did find it was a seconds pipe made by Comoys. Anyone know any more about these pipes? I was clean and I liked the look so I pulled the trigger.

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From what I understand, even Comoy's seconds are supposed to be pretty nice. I've had my eye on a few on the "Bay.

Re: Estate Pipes
 

Well if that's the case that would be sweet. Paid 11.50 shipped.:rolleyes:

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Maybe we could see pictures when you're done?





BTW, does anyone know where I could pick-up a buffing wheel?

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^^ this!

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Of course. I should have it by the end of next week. I hope I can figure out how to really clean this out from all the advice on the site. My novice eyes think it's in pretty nice shape.

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The advice here has been working pretty well for me. I'm sure it'll be great!

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So here is the Gresham Giant estate that I recently bought on eBay. It is said to be a Comoy's second. It is in pretty good shape. It needs to be reamed and I need to clean and polish the stem. But other than that it seems to be in relatively good shape structurally. It is taking a salt bath now and will hopefully help with some of the cake. Now I just need to get a reaming tool. Any advice is welcomed.

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/i...ps0rpf169t.jpg
N
http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/i...psjdq7xvge.jpg

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Very nice looking pipe indeed. Congrats hope it is a great smoker

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The pipe stem looks a little oxidized and also smells kind of bad. I've seen people use an oxi clean type chemical as well as bleach. What do you guys prefer? I don't have a buffing wheel so an option with the least amount of buffing needed is probably what I'll go with it it still is effective.

Re: Estate Pipes
 

I also collect fountain pens, and many very old pens are made of ebonite, vulcanite or as we call it BHR. I've used bleach on these with excellent results. It leaves it a matte black that can be polished easily by hand with some lightly abrasive polish; I use Simichrome. Check it often when in the bleach.

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Thanks Darren. When you are buffing it are you using a cloth or rag or paper towel? Total noob here when it comes to this.:sh

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Old t-shirt. Paper towels are abrasive. :D

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I've been looking to add to my collection and am looking at estate pipes again. Have bought one off of that one online auction site, and cleaned it up and have been very happy with it. Now that I'm looking again, what are some things you look for in an estate pipe that tells you it's a quality pipe vs. a cheapo? Or must have features that an estate pipe needs to have for you to pull the trigger?

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What do you guys know about Comoy Everyman pipes. Just picked one up on an auction site. I have a Gresham Giant which is a Comoys second and I love how that smokes. It needs some work but I think it'll look great once it's all cleaned up.

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Here's a couple of web pages to peruse Pete:

http://rebornpipes.com/2013/03/13/comoys-the-everyman-billiard-brought-back-to-life/


https://pipedia.org/wiki/A_History_O...ting_the_Pipes

http://www.comoypipes.com/products

And, you can always contact Comoy at the above web page to inquire as well. Hope this helps out...

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I have around 40 pipes, and I would confidently say all but 3-5 are estates. Once you learn how to refurbish them and do some repairs, the floodgates open.

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The reamers with the fixed diameters work better for keeping the cake evenly distributed around the bowl. The adjustable three flute reamers are cheaper and work okay but will oval the bowl out if you're not careful

The pocket reamers, 2 flute are only useful as conversation pieces or to keep in your kit. You do not want to team a bowl with one of these more than once.

I've probably got 30ish pipes, only two were bought new and one was made by me. The remainder were states of varying degrees, they all needed some amount of rehab to look and perform their best.