525 – Refurbished Estate pipes. Pre-owned, mostly pre-smoked, pipes

This was going to be an easy blog to write.
After all everybody knows the advantages of pre-smoked pipes to the smoker.
I thought I would just highlight some of the pipes currently on offer and be finished.

I started by going through all the previous blogs Colin had written on the subject, all 15 of them.
I remembered much of the stuff. Editing was always a combined job,
Obviously he thought that the advantages do need to be re-stated – so using Colin’s words here goes:

Where do we get these pipes?
These pipes come from many sources – an estate, a smoker who has had to give up, a pipe that just didn’t suit the smoker. But they have some things in common: they are all quality pipes from leading brands – Dunhill, Charatan, Savinelli, Stanwell, Peterson, Sims, Lorenzo, etc; they haven’t been battered and mostly have their original mouthpieces.

What’s so good about an Estate or Refurbished pipe?
This quote sums up exactly what these pipes are:“A Refurbished Estate Pipe” is just a pre-smoked pipe.
Because they’re used, all these pipes are likely to sport a few small dings, a few teeth marks, bowl edges slightly out of round, etc. – but in most cases their condition is the same as a new pipe after a few smokes.
The beauty of these pipes is that you can buy a gorgeous, brand name pipe with history, for much less than a new pipe!”

The pipes which have been smoked have been sterilised, cleaned and polished to restore their mature, dignified, appearance – like a fine piece of antique furniture; ready to give many hours of good smoking to their new owners.
The unsmoked pipes have been lightly buffed up and sanitised
All are given a good rub with a Dunhill silicone cloth which leaves an invisible film of protective wax over the whole pipe, bowl and mouthpiece.
Most of these fine pipes are pre-Teflon peg pipes, with no stem filters.
(If this is of concern use “bowl filters”.)
Many of these pipes were cured and turned over 20 years ago, and the briar was at least 20 years old at that time. So you are getting a pipe of at least 40 year old briar – well-cured, well matured.
And the prices will take you back many years.

What will you find in this collection?
The selection includes many of the great brands – Dunhill, Charatan, Savinelli, Peterson and even our own, the late Willie Mattner. A few are still unsmoked, waiting to be baptised.
Plus some very good bargain pipes, and a Calabash, a Meerschaum, a Ropp Cherrywood.
This time we also have some pipe racks to offer – interesting designs.

Finally – are you on the List?
The list of pipe smokers waiting for the link to preview the new selection of refurbished estate pipes.
Make sure you are.

You have enough pipes, but are your old favourites looking a bit tired?
If you’re impressed by the way these refurb pipes have “cleaned up” – send us the old favourites for a complete refurbishment.
An idea – there are a lot of Rugby matches coming up on television: you could pick up some cleaning materials and relieve the tension with some vigorous rubbing and reaming.
At least you’ll have some nice clean pipes, even if we don’t win.

If you haven’t tried a pre-smoked pipe before – try one now.
You could find an immediate new Friend.
No breaking in – just “Welcome”.

Colin (and Gillian) Wesley
No.525. 28 September to 19 October, 2022