Obsidian pipe stem oil

Obsidian pipe stem oil
Obsidian pipe stem oil
For vulcanite pipe stems

For limited restoration and proper maintenance and preservation of the original shine of vulcanite stems that are very sensitive to environmental factors

Made from the oil of a type of stone called obsidian

Pour a few drops onto a suitable cloth or polishing pad and then polish the stem with it

Obsidian Oil: The Cure for Pipe Stem Oxidation!

Oxidation is the bane of pipe smokers everywhere, at least those who are drawn to vulcanite stems. Acrylic stems do not oxidize, but many enjoy the relative softness of vulcanite on the teeth. Modern vulcanite is used today, with less sulfur content than in decades past, which is the main cause of oxidation, but its oxidation characteristics must be controlled to maintain the pristine shine we all prefer. Oxidation is accelerated by air and light, as well as enzymes in saliva, environmental factors that are impossible to avoid.

Even the best vulcanite will oxidize if not cared for. Constant smoking will eventually round the lip of the pipe and wear down the stem, so it is best not to let oxidation occur in the first place. Oxidation is relentless. Once it sets in a stem, it is more likely to return, and some vulcanite will oxidize all the way to the center due to the tiny air bubbles throughout the material and its high sulfur content. Halfway through the stem, you’ll likely find that unattractive green/yellow color all over it, adding to our general displeasure along with the unpleasant smell of sulfur.

No one likes to draw a pipe with a stem that’s turned a dark green or bile yellow. The surface is rough, the taste is unpleasant, the appearance is disappointing, and the smell is concerning. Oxidation solutions include sanding wheels, which aren’t a common tool everywhere, and some brave experimenters have used a metal sanding pad, Oxiclean, Magic Eraser, or a standard pencil eraser.

But once a pipe reaches the stage where it needs action, be prepared to regularly inspect it to rotate those stems and rub it with a microfiber cloth to reduce surface scratches that are created by the heroic effort to remove stains and uneven surfaces caused by oxidation.

The best way to neutralize oxidation is to eliminate it in the first place. With simple care and maintenance, every pipe in anyone’s collection can perform at its best all the time, and perhaps the best tool for that is a product that is less well-known than it deserves: Obsidian Oil.

Rick Newcomb is a doctor and pipe expert and one of the most important figures in the knowledge of Danish pipe making in the United States. He has written numerous articles for various pipe publications and met with pipe makers. He often befriended them all in Denmark, exhibited his amazing collection of Danish artisan pipes at the Los Angeles Pipe Show, and tirelessly promoted the work of Danish artisans.

He knows that these pipes are among the best in the world. It was a while before many North American pipe carvers and other craftsmen around the world had mastered many of the techniques used in Denmark. The high level of craftsmanship in high-quality pipes is largely attributed to Rick’s contribution to the field.

Twenty years ago we were all using olive oil, until we realized that it didn’t age well over time. As Jim Cooke said: “The only place olive oil goes is on your salad. Obsidian oil is one of the most useful discoveries for pipe collectors ever made.”

History and Origin of Obsidian Oil:

The man behind Obsidian Oil is John Hauser, a native of Illinois. He started smoking pipes in the late 70s when he was 17, largely influenced by his uncle, who was more like a grandfather to him. He loved it and by the time he was 18 and able to buy his own tobacco, he was already a seasoned pipe smoker. John says:

“At that time we had the world’s largest mall in Illinois: the Woodfield Mall and they had a Tinder Box and another tobacconist called Sir Timothy’s that I walked into one day. It was pretty busy, I had really read everything I could about pipes and tobacco and I was looking at their tobaccos when another, a gentleman who had walked in was wondering what he should try, I started helping him and teaching him about tobacco.

John found himself in a very similar situation when he walked out of Up Down Cigar in Chicago, which was owned and operated by the late Diana Gates. “I walked in one night and Diana, the owner, who was a wonderful lady, happened to be in the store. I didn’t know she was the owner; I didn’t know her at the time.”

John was looking at the selection of pipe tobaccos, located near the meerschaum pipe display, and found himself next to a gentleman who was buying a meerschaum. I started talking about meerschaum pipes and how they were made and the different types of tobaccos and which ones he might want to try, not knowing that Diana was standing behind me the whole time.

“You should come work for me,” Diana said. John said that he used to work for a technology company. John said, “I can’t. I’m employed.” Diana said, “Work here at night, it’ll be worth it.” John couldn’t resist the offer and started working for Up Down.

John is one of those people in the valley who may not be artisans, but who find a way to contribute whatever skill they have on a larger scale than pipe smoking. The pipe community is friendly, fun, and for many, irresistible. “One of the great things about the valley is that people are always willing to help others,” says John.

The sense of community that John describes starts as a shared interest and grows from there, becoming greater than the sum of its parts. “If I had to leave tomorrow, I would still keep all my pipes,” says John. “They are beautiful things in themselves, and I like to have them around me. If I had to go somewhere where I know I can’t have a smoke, I would still take a pipe with me, even if it just means holding it in my hand, because it reminds me of a wonderful time in the past.”

Rick Newcomb is right: Obsidian oil is one of the most relevant products available for pipe smokers. We’ve all experienced stem oxidation, and John Hauser’s invention is a simple and easy way to escape this annoyance and protect it from the light and air that cause the problem. Not only are stunning stems possible with a little preventative care and maintenance, but they can be beneficial even on pipes that have seen decades of hard use. We often buy pipes for their beauty, and with Obsidian oil we can maintain that invigorating honeymoon phase with our pipes for the rest of their smoking life.

Obsidian pipe stem oil
Obsidian pipe stem oil
For vulcanite pipe stems

Obsidian pipe stem oil
For vulcanite pipe stems