Blog by Al Jones

This pipe was an acquisition from the recent CORPS Show in Richmond, VA.  The gentleman who sold it to me is a fellow member of the SmokersForums.uk.  I really wasn’t looking to add any more pipes at the show, but I can’t resist Sasieni pipes from the Family Era, which were made prior to 1979.  I think they offer a great value in an English estate and my others smoke wonderfully.  The stem and button work I feel is slightly better than Comoys pipes of that era.  “Ruff Root” pipes in particular are quite light, even in a large pipe such as this “Stratford” model.  While not as graceful in appearance as my Viscount Lascelles, it’s angular jaw has a sort of rugged appeal that grew on me as work progressed.   The oval bowl top is also a unique feature.

The pipe was in excellent condition and I knew it would only require a minor clean-up effort.   To my eye, the robins-egg blue four dot stem logo is one of the most appealing of any British maker.  Some dots fade over time but the one on this stem were perfect, as is the button.

There was a very slight cake in the pipe, which I carefully removed.  The bowl was soaked with Sea Salt and alcohol.  While the bowl was soaking, I dabbed some grease on the stem logo and soaked it in a mildy Oxyclean solution.  Nestled with the Sasieni is a GBD New Standard 549 that was also a CORPS show purchase.

After soaking in the Oxyclean solution, I removed the oxidation from the stem starting with 800 grit wet paper, then progressing thru 1000, 1500 and 2000 grades.  I followed those with 8000 and 12000 grades of Micromesh paper.  The stem was free of any bite marks.

I make a collar to use between the briar and vulcanite stem out of light grade plastic.  Small boxes that hold auto fasteners or product blister packs work well. I cut out small circles then punch a hole for tenon using an office punch.  The collar allows me to remove the oxidation near the stem and briar junction without taking the edge off the stem.

The stem was buffed lightly with White Diamond.  The briar only required hand polishing with Halycon II wax.  The nomenclature was in outstanding condition.

Below is the completed pipe.  Ruff Root pipes are light for their size and this one only weighs 51 grams.