Blog by Al Jones
I was looking for a Christmas pipe to restore for my future son-in-law and spied this neat, chubby Comoys Rhodesian on Ebay. It is a Cadogan era Comoys with a stamped C stem logo and has shape number B1057. The shape and size remind me of the GBD 9438, but without the beading on the bowl. He has a 9438 from last Christmas, so this Comoys will make a good rack mate for it.
The pipe was in pretty good shape with a little tar buildup on the bowl rim and a heavily oxidized stem. There were some teeth abrasions on the stem, but they were minimal with no heavy indention’s. Stem fitment was great. The pipe passes a cleaner nicely appears to be drilled well. The bowl showed very light use and was easy to clean.
I soaked the bowl with 91% isopropyl alcohol and the stem in a mild Oxy-Clean solution. I put a dab of grease on the stem logo.
The bowl didn’t take much, I buffed it with some white diamond and then red rouge, followed by several coats of carnuba wax. There are a few fills, but they blended in nicely and aren’t too noticeable.
I used 800 grit wet paper to remove the first layer of oxidation. That was followed by 1500 and 2000 grade wet papers. Working around a stamped C logo is always a little tricky and I don’t think you can get all the oxidation without damaging the letter. The stem was then sanded with 8000 and 12000 grade micromesh. I then buffed the stem with white diamond and red rouge. Below is the stem after the 800 grit wet paper.
Here’s the finished pipe, ready to be wrapped for Christmas morning…shhhh, don’t tell!
Thank you so much, so wonderful to see this response!
LikeLike
Nice job, Al. On the chance your future son-in-law doesn’t care for it, you have my address, right? LOL
LikeLike
Glad you got that one Al. I had it on the watchlist and decided to let it go. It came out really well. Nice grain on that as well. I do think the Obsidian Oil would work well around the logo area. Like others here I want to be on your Christmas list.
LikeLike
Nicely done…..do you think Obsidian oil might darken the oxidation around the stem logo or is that mostly light shine in the photo? Either way a very handsome pipe!!!
LikeLike
I didn’t think about Obsidian oil, I might have to try that. I usually go back to the stem in a week or so to see if any oxidation returned. I’ll try a little Obsidian at that point.
LikeLike
I’ve been a fan of Comoy’s since my first one purchased at Skirm’s Tobacco Shop in Princeton, NJ. Nice work. Wish I had a Rhodesian.
LikeLike
I have two,older, pre-Cadogan era Comoys Rhodesians that I treasure. I hope this Cadogan (made after 1981) is as good. I’m guessing “Skirms” is gone from Princeton? (I travel thru there occasionally)
LikeLike
Very nicely done! Looks like a perfect Christmas present.
Did you only use the cotton-ball and alcohol on the inside of the bowl to get it that clean?
LikeLike
No, it was barely smoked. I reamed it a little, than soaked it with alcohol and sea salt. But, it was so clean, the soak didn’t really darken the salt at all. I think the previous owner never filled the pipe much past halfway with tobacco.
LikeLike
Oh that’s salt! *adjust glasses* Ah I see now, my mistake.
Thanks for the explanation.
LikeLike
I was wondering the same. The bowl looks unsmoked!
LikeLike
Al, I’d love to be on your Christmas list. Your future son-in-law is a very lucky man….marrying into a pipe family and all that entails. 🙂 That is a great pipe, and you did a super job of refurbishing it.
Thanks for sharing this project.
LikeLike
Lucky guy! Nice cleanup on a great shape!
LikeLike