How to Ream Your Pipe and Why You Need to Do it | Don't Neglect this Important Maintenance!

[@simian504]

Dude. That sound. It was worse than nails on a chalkboard! I soaked up every single second of it. You were perfectly audible, but I could barely hear you. It grated into my very bones. At first I couldn’t stand it. Goosebumps, and all. Then it dawned on me, how rare this experience is in the wild. So I let go. I took in the sound, and was set upon by the deepest shivering, spastic repulsion that I could hardly imagine if I tried. It was the most exquisite cringe I’ve ever experienced. I thank you, Sir.

[@jarodmccarthy4920]

Hey Bradly. Just wanted to say thanks for making this video. I have a pipe that’s about half the size it used to be, but I lacked the confidence to try this out of fear of damage. Appreciate you taking the time to show us something that’s probably a simple, easy and normal process for you. It was most certainly a help over here. As always, thanks for the quality content. Cheers!

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

Glad I could help!

[@joshuasmith6231]

My pipes rarely need reaming, but I really enjoy cleaning, reaming, and salt+everclear-ing pipes I have thrifted. So satisfying

[@puffinpiper7625]

Well done video on reaming. Thank you. A word of caution: At around 9:30 you talk about looking for and smoothing out any rough edges on the sides with the smaller blade. With this, as well as the entire process, be very careful not to tip or angle the blade too much as the top part of the blade not in use may inadvertently catch the rim causing damage/out of round to the inside top of the rim. Don't ask me how I know... -_-

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

Great point!

[@tombrown1898]

Bradley, great video. Again. Just this morning, I was trying to stuff some G-H #7 Broken Flake into a too-seasoned MM cob. I say "too-seasoned" because I have tried every inappropriate tool to reclaim bowl diameter, and none of those have worked! They never do, and that hasn't changed in my fifty years of pipe smoking. There were once warnings not to use your pocket knife to ream your pipes. But how many guys carry a pocket knife anymore? The only caution I can offer is not to use a British Buttner. Cheap, with a cute little sleeve to carry it in. But I've had I don't know how many blow up on me when confronted with a respectable cake. Your kit looks pretty good; I've seen them but never bought one. The stainless steel ''professional reamer" works well, I hear, but the price always scared me off. Again, you tendered valuable information for all of us.

[@randycutler9717]

I still use a pocket knife to ream my pipes. Only use a small sheepsfoot knife or you could poke a hole in the bottom.

[@Lonewolfpiper52377]

This reminds me I gotta few a gotta get done. I ruined one of my pipes when I first started many years ago and never made that mistake again. Thanks Bradley

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

Thanks for watching!

[@johnb4966]

Great video. An updated pipe rotation video would be awesome. Interested if you still smoke your meerschaum and how it looks

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

I may have to do one of those soon!

[@corbynborbyn1194]

Holy hell that's a lotta cake build up!

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

It had been awhile!

[@rogerstraydog647]

Hello. Thanks for taking the time to answer my question from last week. I enjoy the idea of philosophy but the statement about how many angels can dance on the head of a pin is often times accurate. I tried pipe smoking many years ago but gave it up. Here is my question and request: I have searched youtube and other sites for an answer to what pipe tobacco would be a good one for a new pipe smoker? and I have received answers and information of a wide (wide) variety. So much so that it is of almost no value. There does not seem to be any pattern. Do you have a suggestion or two or three that might be of use? Easy to find and palatable to someone new to the craft. One person said get the Amphora sample pack. Would that be a good start? Maybe do a video on good choices for the novice? Thanks

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

Thanks for watching! I may have to do a video on that soon. In the meantime, try Orlik Golden Sliced and Peterson Standard Mixture. One mild straight Virginia flake and one basic English blend.

[@rogerstraydog647]

Thanks for the suggestions. I have heard of Orlik but not the other. I will check them out.

[@poutsa1974]

Enjoyed the video. I’ve often wondered how you may have changed over the years with experience and new ideas. Will be interested to see your original take - though with reaming there’s probably not too many ways to approach it! Look forward to more how to videos to contrast from the past. I rarely ream but I also give my bowls a good wipe with paper towel after every smoke and this works brilliantly for me.

[@thesmoovepiper4356]

Heyyyy Bradley awesome video I got a set like that but the blades don't seem to be very sharp mine is by Decater the blade a seem very dull thanks for sharing this video it's so helpful 😃👋🔥💨🍂☕

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

Thanks for watching! I haven't had to sharpen mine yet. It's held up really well so far!

[@Robbie7441]

The satisfaction you feel after it all cleaned up is very sweet indeed, thanks Bradley 👍🏻👍🏻

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

Any time!

[@gloaming4247]

I usually pour the dregs of my cask strength whisky bottle through my briars, dissolves the cake completely. No idea if it's bad for the pipe in the long run but mine are still okay after years.

[@TheGmarian]

Thanks for the video. A Decatur version of the t-handle reamer was the first type I used. I also have the Senior piper reamer. However, I've been using a Decatur pipe knife instead for a while now. I think it's just a triangular scraper/deburring tool. Now that I've found it on Amazon, I may just one. I find the Senior reamer easier to use than this t-handle type, but it leaves a ring near the bottom of the chamber. Which is how I ended up with the Decatur pipe knife. The Kleen Reem seems to be better in this regard, because its blades are actually curved at the ends, instead of simply angled. I switched to using the t-handle reamer for the bottom of the bowl, but some of the blades on mine aren't actually sharpened at the bottom. The quality is really lacking. It seems that the PIPNET reamer, sold by SmokingPipes, is a better quality. I've considered buying the PIPNET version, but I think it suffers from the problem you've noted here. It's just not long enough for deeper bowls. I wish I could find something to use as an extension to get to the bottom of my tall bowls.

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

Thanks for sharing your experiences! I’ve only ever used the Castleford reamer, so it’s informative to hear about other brands.

[@christopherlewis9714]

How would you go about reaming a pipe with a conical or tapered chamber?

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

Hmm. Not sure. Maybe try using a small pen blade?

[@immortalic1990]

what would cause the cake to come off in flakes in some places? using a senior style pipe reamer

[@aiarch]

I maintain my pipes at around 1 mm of cake and usually clean them slightly with a pipe tool at the end of the day. don't need reaming for a long time this way

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

Great tip!

[@glenndunnington8551]

Excellent

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@abushafi55]

I tried it with same shape 31 4k I could get to 3/4 out of the whole bowl and i didn’t have enough courage to go all the way down. I felt it will eat the briar although i was using the 17 mm with pipnet reamer

[@davidblack9533]

Not saying this was a great idea but in a pinch and for my first time reaming my pipe today i used 100 grit sand paper wrapped around a sharpie, went ok as far as i can tell.

[@abushafi55]

Which reamer works best the fixed or the adjustable

[@chickensandwich1589]

Another cool shirt! How many bowls a day do you smoke?

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

0-4. It depends on what I'm doing!

[@shinlangan]

The thing is I hate is that screeching sound

[@rockets4kids]

I've always just used a pocket knife. Every time I've seen someone use a pipe reamer it seems like more trouble than it's worth. Especially if the taper on your reamer doesn't match the taper on your pipe.

[@fsmoura]

1:26 _"It deposits the tar on the inside edge of the pipe, or it gets the hose again!"_ ( oДo)

[@chrisbotts8334]

Man I wish I could get the carbon cake on my pipes to come in that evenly lol

[@joelpenazzo7248]

Hi.. How to do if the cake is more thick on one side? I have more cake on the bowl the side towards the smoke hole (Excuse my language mistakes I m French) Thanks

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

I try to even it out with a smaller reamer blade, scraping against the side that is thicker.

[@Ulfhednar-o9t]

Dont smoke, fellas. Just dont. Not a pleasant way to go and i dont mean just the big C.

[@GC-kw1gq]

I’m a new pipe smoker & think carbon build up is not good. “Oh, but you need to protect the briar” - true I’m sure. I don’t care honestly. I’m going to ream every 50 bowls or so on my briars. Rotate a white gloved finger in my cooled meerschaum bowl after every smoke. Paper towel finger my corn cobs:)

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

Whatever works for you!

[@jogmas12]

Are you a cigar (stogie) man also Bradley

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

From time to time!

[@eladsgarr]

The flashlight on your phone🙄. C’mon, you can do better.

[@Smoking_Hot_Scott]

I use an old dull paring knife and VERY GENTLY AND CAREFULLY scrape off the cake. A reamer would be so much easier and better for the job but like all stubborn bastards I just won’t ever change my ways and get one. 🤷‍♂️

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

Whatever works!