Uvod
Nakup rabljenih pip preko spleta je vedno nekoliko tvegan. Fotografije lahko veliko povedo, še več pa tudi skrijejo. Kljub temu se med ponudbami občasno pojavijo pipe, ki vzbudijo zanimanje in obljubljajo nekaj več.
Tokrat sem na eBayu naletel na prodajalca iz Litve, ki je ponujal več kakovostnih danskih in italijanskih pip. Fotografije so bile dovolj dobre, da sem lahko ocenil njihovo splošno stanje, hkrati pa dovolj skrivnostne, da je nakup ostal pravo malo presenečenje.
V tem članku predstavljam, kako sem ocenil ponudbo, zakaj sem se odločil za nakup in kaj sem pričakoval še preden je paket prispel v mojo delavnico.
Fotografije prodajalca
Slika 1: Fotografije iz eBay dražbe. To je bil prvi pogled na pipe, na podlagi katerega sem se odločil za nakup.*
Ob prvem ogledu fotografij sem opazil nekaj pomembnih podrobnosti:
- prodajalec je vse pipe fotografiral na enotnem zelenem ozadju,
- vsaka pipa je bila predstavljena z več zornih kotov,
- vidni so bili žigi proizvajalcev,
- ustniki so bili fotografirani dovolj podrobno za osnovno oceno stanja.
Takšne fotografije vlivajo precej več zaupanja kot oglasi z eno samo neostro sliko.
*Opomba: Originalne fotografije iz dražbe so uporabljene za primerjavo z dovoljenjem oziroma ob vednosti prvotnega prodajalca.
Katere pipe, ki sem si jih izbral so v seriji, ki jo bom obnovil?
V seriji, ki sem jo izbral so bile tako naslednje pipe:
Passatore
Slika 2. Passatore na originalnih fotografijah prodajalca.
Passatore je bila že na prvi pogled ena izmed najbolj zanimivih pip v lotu. Kljub vidni uporabi je delovala popolna in brez večjih poškodb. Ustnik je kazal znake oksidacije, kurišče pa je bilo potrebno temeljitega čiščenja. Zdelo se mi je, da ima ta pipa velik potencial za uspešno obnovo.
Pričakovana zahtevnost obnove: ★★★☆☆
Lorenzo
Slika 3. Lorenzo na originalnih fotografijah prodajalca.
Lorenzo me je pritegnila predvsem zaradi elegantne oblike in značilnega rdečkastega finiša. Na fotografijah ni bilo videti večjih poškodb, zato sem pričakoval predvsem običajno čiščenje in osvežitev videza. Takšne pipe pogosto presenetijo s tem, kako lepo zaživijo po nežni obnovi.
Pričakovana zahtevnost obnove: ★★☆☆☆
Royal Star
Slika 4. Royal Star na originalnih fotografijah prodajalca.
Royal Star je delovala kot pošteno uporabljena delovna pipa. Fotografije niso razkrivale nič kritičnega, vendar je bilo jasno, da bo potrebovala temeljito čiščenje notranjosti, in osvežitev zunanjosti. Zanimalo me je predvsem, kako se bo pod plastjo umazanije v komori pokazal briar.
Pričakovana zahtevnost obnove: ★★★☆☆
Denicotea Curling
Slika 5. Denicotea Curling na originalnih fotografijah prodajalca.
Denicotea Curling je izstopala zaradi nekoliko drugačne zasnove in dobrega splošnega stanja. Ustnik ni kazal večjih poškodb, zato sem pričakoval predvsem običajen restavratorski postopek.
Pričakovana zahtevnost obnove: ★★★☆☆
Rustificirana pipa brez oznake proizvajalca
Slika 6. Rustificirana pipa brez oznake proizvajalca na originalnih fotografijah prodajalca..
Čeprav proizvajalca ni bilo mogoče določiti, me je pritegnila lepo izdelana rustifikacija. Pri takšnih pipah je pomembno, da se med obnovo ohrani značaj površine, zato sem že vnaprej vedel, da bo potreben nekoliko drugačen pristop kot pri gladkih pipah.
Pričakovana zahtevnost obnove: ★★☆☆☆
Danish Design
Slika 7. Danish Design brez oznake proizvajalca na originalnih fotografijah prodajalca..
Na fotografijah je bila videti zelo lepo ohranjena in skoraj neuporabljena. Največje vprašanje je bilo, ali bo tak vtis potrdil tudi pregled v živo. Če bi bilo stanje res tako dobro, bi bila potrebna le nežna osvežitev.
Pričakovana zahtevnost obnove: ★☆☆☆
Vsaka je predstavljala svoj izziv. Nekatere so bile videti skoraj pripravljene za uporabo, druge pa so že na fotografijah kazale, da bodo zahtevale precej več dela.
Kaj lahko oceniš že po fotografijah?
Pred nakupom vedno pogledam nekaj ključnih stvari.
1. Ustnik
Ali je močno oksidiran?
So vidni odtisi zob?
Je raven ali zvit?
Ali se lepo prilega vratu pipe?
2. Bovla
Ali je rob ožgan?
Je v kurišču zelo debela plast oglja?
So vidne razpoke?
Ali je les videti zdrav?
3. Zunanjost
Ali je lak poškodovan?
So prisotni udarci?
Je rustikacija lepo ohranjena?
Kako izrazita je tekstura briarja?
4. Izdelovalec
Vedno pogledam tudi proizvajalca.
Dobre izkušnje imam predvsem z danskimi in italijanskimi pipami, saj praviloma ponujajo zelo kakovosten briar in dobro izdelane ustnike.
Zakaj sem se odločil za nakup?
Največji razlog ni bila ena sama pipa, prepričalo me je več pip, ki sem jih uvrstil v lot.
Že na fotografijah je bilo videti, da nobena od pip ni nepopravljivo poškodovana. To je pomenilo, da bo mogoče z nekaj potrpežljivosti vsako vrniti v stanje, ko bo ponovno pripravljena na dolgoletno uporabo.
Hkrati sem vedel, da vseh verjetno ne bom obdržal. Nekatere bodo po obnovi našle nove lastnike, nekaj najboljših primerkov pa bo ostalo v moji osebni zbirki.
Kaj sledi?
Ko je bil nakup zaključen, se je začelo čakanje na paket iz Litve.
Šele ko pipe prispejo na delovno mizo, se pokaže njihovo pravo stanje. Fotografije namreč nikoli ne razkrijejo vseh podrobnosti – od notranjosti dimnega kanala do dejanske obrabe ustnika in kurišča (bovle).
V naslednjem delu serije bom predstavil prvi pregled vseh pip po prihodu ter načrt njihove obnove.
Več informacij o pipah in dodatkih za njihovo uporabo je na Mosir Smoking Pipes: Facebook & Instagram & Etsy
🇬🇧 English version
From eBay Auction to the First Smoke – Part 1: Buying a few of Estate Pipes from Lithuania
Which Pipes I Included in the Lot?
The auction pipes I decided to bid are the following six estate pipes:
- Passatore
- Lorenzo
- Royal Star
- Denicotea Curling
- Rusticated pipe (maker unknown)
- Danish Design (maker unknown)
Each pipe represented a different restoration challenge. Some appeared to be almost ready for use, while others already hinted, from the auction photographs alone, that they would require much more time and attention.
In the following sections, I will briefly introduce each pipe and explain what caught my attention before the package even arrived.
Figure 1. Original auction photographs of the Estate Pipes*
*Note: Original auction photographs are used with courtesy of the original eBay seller for restoration comparison.
Passatore
Figure 2. Original auction photographs of the Passatore.
The Passatore immediately stood out as one of the most promising pipes. Although it showed signs of regular use, it appeared structurally sound and complete. The stem showed visible oxidation, while the bowl clearly required a thorough cleaning. Even so, I felt this pipe had excellent restoration potential.
Expected restoration difficulty: ★★★☆☆
Lorenzo
Figure 3. Original auction photographs of the Lorenzo.
The Lorenzo caught my attention with its elegant shape and distinctive reddish finish. No major damage was visible in the photographs, so I expected little more than careful cleaning and cosmetic restoration. Pipes like this often respond exceptionally well to a gentle restoration.
Expected restoration difficulty: ★★☆☆☆
Royal Star
Figure 4. Original auction photographs of the Royal Star.
The Royal Star looked like an honest working pipe that had simply seen years of regular use. While nothing appeared seriously wrong, it was obvious that both the interior and exterior would require a thorough cleaning. I was particularly curious to see what the briar would look like beneath years of accumulated dirt and grime.
Expected restoration difficulty: ★★★☆☆
Denicotea Curling
Figure 5. Original auction photographs of the Denicotea Curling.
The Denicotea Curling stood out because of its slightly different design and generally good overall condition. The stem showed little visible wear, so I expected a fairly straightforward restoration.
Expected restoration difficulty: ★★★☆☆
Rusticated Pipe (Maker Unknown)
Figure 6. Original auction photographs of the rusticated pipe.
Although the maker could not be identified, I was immediately drawn to its attractive rustication. Restoring rusticated pipes requires a different approach, as preserving the original texture and character is just as important as cleaning the pipe itself.
Expected restoration difficulty: ★★☆☆☆
Danish Design
Figure 7. Original auction photographs of the Danish Design pipe.
This pipe appeared to be exceptionally well preserved and possibly only lightly smoked. The biggest question was whether the real condition would match the promising auction photographs. If so, only a gentle refresh would likely be needed.
Expected restoration difficulty: ★☆☆☆☆
What Can You Learn from Auction Photos?
Before purchasing an estate pipe, I always pay attention to several important details.
1. The Stem
- Is it heavily oxidized?
- Are there visible tooth marks?
- Is it straight or warped?
- Does it fit the shank correctly?
2. The Bowl
- Is the rim charred?
- Is there excessive cake buildup?
- Are there any visible cracks?
- Does the briar appear healthy?
3. The Exterior
- Is the finish damaged?
- Are there dents or deep scratches?
- Is the rustication well preserved?
- How attractive is the grain or texture?
4. The Maker
Whenever possible, I also consider the manufacturer.
Over the years I have developed a particular appreciation for Danish and Italian pipes, as they often feature high-quality briar and well-made stems.
Why Did I Buy This Pipes?
There wasn’t just one pipe that convinced me.
It was the combination of several promising pipes together.
Based on the photographs, none of them appeared to be beyond restoration. That gave me confidence that, with patience and careful work, each pipe could once again become a reliable companion for many years of smoking.
At the same time, I already knew I probably wouldn’t keep them all. Some would eventually become part of my personal collection, while others would be restored and offered to new owners.
What’s Next?
Once the auction ended, all that remained was to wait for the package to arrive from Lithuania.
Only after an estate pipe reaches the workbench does its true condition become apparent. Auction photographs never reveal every detail—from the inside of the airway to the actual condition of the stem and tobacco chamber.
In the next part of this series, I will present the first inspection of each pipe after arrival and explain my restoration plan for each one.
More info about pipes and other products for their use you can get at: Mosir Smoking Pipes – Facebook & Instagram & Etsy.
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Ko pipa zadiši... / When you smell the pipe... 