Pipe restoration attempt

[bilder]

Trying to bring a Dr. Grabow Commodore back to its former glory. Figured it would make good practice for future attempts at more expensive pipes.

Before, the pipe looks like this:

So far I have it looking like this. Mainly been working on the stem at this point.

Going to work on the stem some more to bring out the shine. Then I will ream it out a bit and give it a good cleaning.

 

[LilBastage]

What have you done to the stem to remove the oxidation? I know there are several methods out there, just curious which you chose and how it worked for you. The results look pretty good.

 

[BrewMeister]

Thanks for posting this Bilder. I'd be interested on how you make out and what technics you use. :thumbs:

 

[bilder]

I used Barkeepers Friend to clean up the stem. It is what I had on hand and it seems to work pretty well. Took me about 30 minutes of elbow grease to get it looking good. Figure another treatment tonight should get it where I want it to be.

 

[bilder]

Spent some time last night finishing up the pipe. Got the stem and band looking great. Then I took some scotch and used it to clean the innards of the Commodore. Took quite a few cleaners (the bristle kind) to get it done, but the end result is a pipe that looks like it just came off the shelf.

It looks like the photo above, only it smells nice and is a pipe I am happy to have in my collection.

Now I am waiting for the next batch of estates I bought off ebay. Paid 12 bucks for the lot and there is a Peterson in the group!

 

[LilBastage]

I'm glad to hear you had success!

The last one I've worked on the stem didn't come out so good. I've cleaned, rubbed, and buffed all I can and it's still kind of gray with little pits. It also smells kind of funny, almost burnt. I think it may just be too far gone. The bowl, however is excellent now that it's been reamed and had the salt & alcohol treatment. I may just get a new stem made for it if I can do it economically. It's a Wally Frank Straight Grain that I got for $9. If I can put another stem on it for $15 or so, I'll probably do it.

It sure is a lot of fun!

 

[bilder]

Just smoked a couple bowls in my 'new' Commodore tonight.

It is by far the best pipe I have. Smokes like a dream!

 

[BrewMeister]

Congrats on the success! Any idea how old the pipe might be?

 

[MilesMingusMonk]

Nice thread Bilder.

It would be an interesting addition to CP to put together a pipe restoration series, with descriptions & photos documenting the techniques used to achieve the end result. I have a handful of pipes from my father's collection that need restoration; this thread is the inspiration I needed - thanks!

 

[LilBastage]

Just smoked a couple bowls in my 'new' Commodore tonight.

It is by far the best pipe I have. Smokes like a dream!

Awesome!

I agree with MMM. Maybe I'll try to put something together when I start on this new lot I just received. It will be a learning experience for everyone. :laugh: It will have to wait until after Christmas, though, Right now, I haven't got a camera.

 

[bilder]

Congrats on the success! Any idea how old the pipe might be?

I am not sure how old it is.

It is a Dr. Grabow Commodore. Markings on the pipe are "Dr. Grabow Commodore, Imported Briar" and then the number 81.

Not sure if 81 is the year of manufacture. I have tried to find some information on the years the Commodore was made, but have come up empty so far.

 

[Kayak_Rat]

Congrats on the success! Any idea how old the pipe might be?

I am not sure how old it is.

It is a Dr. Grabow Commodore. Markings on the pipe are "Dr. Grabow Commodore, Imported Briar" and then the number 81.

Not sure if 81 is the year of manufacture. I have tried to find some information on the years the Commodore was made, but have come up empty so far.

81 should be the size/style number. It is kinda hard to date pipes unless they are higher end. Good looking pipe. Should smoke flakes like a dream.

 

[bilder]

Just thought I would update what I have learned about this pipe so far.

From what I have learned, the Commodore was a high end Grabow back in the late 60's to early 70's. I am amazed at how little information there is on vintage Grabows on the internet. One would think that the largest pipe maker in the world would have a better record of their history.

From this site, I have seen a 1969 RTDA Almanac that puts the Commodore second from the top of the Grabow line. Price back then was an astounding $8.95! Pretty high when compared to the $1.50 price for their entry level pipe.

This is the earliest record of the Commodore I have been able to locate so far.

Thinking I will try and find some other high end Dr. Grabow pipes out there. If they smoke like this one they will be worth the effort to restore.