First, for the briars and Falcons the 160 proof is good. Just dip a cleaner in the alcohol and swab it through the stem and then the shank. Use fresh cleaners dipped in the alcohol until it comes through clean. Be careful of getting any on the stem, which will turn it brown real quickly, or the outside of the bowl of the briar, which can remove wax and sometimes the staining. As you're smoking and getting gurgle, you can insert a cleaner through the stem into the bowl to remove that moisture.
For the meer, you don't want to let a cake form. After smoking it, remove the remaining tobacco and swab the inside of the bowl with a dry paper towel to remove any ash sticking to the sides. If you haven't had a wet smoke with it, you should be able to smoke it again right away because the bowl is very porous. But, if it is wet, the meerschaum material can get soft, so it is best to let it dry before poking into the bowl to remove the dottle or inserting a cleaner into the shank. Periodically, separate the stem and clean the stem as you would with any other pipe. You may want to dip a cleaner in the alcohol about 1/4 inch and carefully insert it through the shank into the bottom of the bowl. Use the solvent very sparingly, and let it dry overnight before using the pipe again.
I'm assuming your pipe has a two piece fitment. If so, after a few cleanings of the stem, it is a good idea to remove the screw-in fitment in the stem and clean the recess behind it. Gunk and lint from pipe cleaners tend to collect there. It is not necessary to remove the screw-in fitment in the shank to clean the shank.
A couple of other notes on care: Always brace the shank with your fingers when you remove the stem, and turn the stem clockwise for removal and replacement if you have the two-piece fitment. Don't turn it counterclockwise, as this may unscrew the fitment in the shank and cause excess wear. Also, after a couple or three bowls, separate the stem and shank and wipe the tenon part of the fitment with alcohol. Repeat it for the mortise part in the shank if it is gunky. The reason for this is that if there is gunk in the fitment, it can dry and make it hard to turn the stem, which can put excess force on the shank. It is best to store it for long periods with the stem fitment out to avoid the two parts locking up on you.
HTH, Joe H
--- On Sat, 7/19/08, Graham A <graham.laptop@gmail.com> wrote:
From: Graham A <graham.laptop@gmail.com>
Subject: [Pipe smokers] New Pipe Convert
To: pipesmokers2@yahoogroups.com
Date: Saturday, July 19, 2008, 6:49 AM
G'Day everyone,
My name is Graham and I am in South Australia. I am new to pipe smoking (2
weeks).
I have bought myself a few pipes ...
1. Falcon Bent Extra Meerschaum lined Bowl.
2. Falcon International - Bent - Rusticated Genoa Bowl.
3 Savinelli - Punto Oro - rusticated
4 Savinelli - Blue academic model 663
5 Carved Meerschaum - Strait Billiard
6 Four assorted Missouri Meershum corn cob pipes
I have bought a range of tobacco's to try and seem to be going ok with
packing the pipes and managing to smoke them nice and slowly.
I dont know what is more addictive - the pleasure of smoking them or the joy of
buying new pipes!
I do have a question that someone may be able to help me with. What can I
clean the Meerschum pipe with. Can I give it a wipe inside with alcohol ( eg
160 proof rum ) and use a pipe cleaner to swab it with alcohol.
I have heard that people do this with briar pipes but wasnt sure if it was ok
for a meerschaum.
any thoughts or suggestions appreciated as I cant find any place that sells
pipe sweetener down here.
regards
Graham A
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