Blog by Dave Gossett
A great pipe is reborn, the ad should read. This old LHS has been an extensive traveler throughout its long life. Plucked from the Mediterranean soil and carved in Brooklyn New York, traveling to the west coast, back to the east coast once more. From there it made its way to British Columbia, then again back to the east coast of America where it currently resides.
I received this pipe in an estate lot from California with the tenon and stinger broken off in the mortise. Someone had crudely tried to remove the broken tenon without success. I thought the pipe was a lost cause, but with little hope for a remedy I put out the bat signal for help. Steve Laug himself from Reborn Pipes answered the call. Off to British Columbia it went to undergo surgery from the master repairman.
Here is the link to Steve’s great repair/rescue and stem replacement on this pipe.
Back from surgery, Steve had sent me a fully functioning usable pipe.
I started in on the usual ream and clean. Next I lightly topped the bowl and began working out the dents and scratches.
Once I had a smooth clean stummel, I mixed up some Fiebings and tried to match the original finish.
Sanding with 2500 grit I lightened the stain until I was close to the shade I wanted. I used a rag dampened with alcohol around the stampings to lighten those areas and blend in with the rest of the stummel.
rebornpipes 
All I can say is Wow! I had previously read Steve’s re-stem write-up so I knew what to expect on that end, but the stain and finish on the stummel is extraordinary, Dave. A beautiful pipe and a great tag-team effort, gents!
LikeLike
Fabulous restoration. I love your stain mixing tube, I always mix too much and end up wasting some. Can you describe what you did to the button? It looks more substantial and factory in appearance. You are the stain-match master!
LikeLike
Nice work on both yours and Steve’s part ! It turned out beautifully !! Ed.
LikeLike
A great pipe is reborn. A classic beauty. Well done Steve, and Dave.
LikeLike
Outstanding restoration! Looks almost factory fresh.
LikeLike
Dave what a beauty that turned out to be. I could see some promise under the grime but that exceeds what I expected to see when I sent it back to you with the new stem.
LikeLike