Peterson's and shellac.....Opinions please

[steelcicada]

I appreciate the benefits of the shellac with regards to a collectors piece that will remain unsmoked, however, aside from the aesthetics I cannot really see any other benefits of having a shellac on a smoker. What do you think ?

 

[Kyle Weiss]

It's good in a light, very thinned-out amount on a rusticated piece, as was suggested to me after I carved my first pipe. It smokes fine, it seems.

 

[Airborne]

I could be wrong, but I don't think Peterson uses shellac on any of their pipes. I've been in their factory a few times over the years and have never seen them use shellac.

It's often confused with pipes that are given an extensive carnauba wax treatment, a highly refined buffing with layers of the stuff that will eventually wear off. But as I said, I could be wrong though.

 

[NeroWolfe]

Agree. Peterson does not shellac.

 

[Muddler]

Peterson do occasionally use a reddish Polyurethane finish. It is unmistakeable. Avoid it - it looks & feels cheap & nasty.

 

[steelcicada]

The majority of my Pete's are not finished but I'm certain there is a finish on two of them. I guess my question should have been would anyone recommend against removing a finish from a regular rotation pipe?

 

[Kyle Weiss]

The majority of my Pete's are not finished but I'm certain there is a finish on two of them. I guess my question should have been would anyone recommend against removing a finish from a regular rotation pipe?

Does pipe-in-question smoke abhorrently? If yes, is it the pipe or the finish? Hate for you to go to a bunch of trouble for nothing, or, ruin a pipe. You might need a different pipe, as an alternative.

 

[sstodvictory]

Shellac is gas permeable. I've never noticed anything ill smoking about ones I've owned. One might want to try to remove it if the appearance is unpleasant, but I wouldn't how to do it.

Steve

 

[Kyle Weiss]

I suppose a good sanding would do it, but I work with shellac on older gun stocks quite a bit, a lot of Eastern Bloc rifles used the stuff, also Russian milsurps. It's easy to strip off with denatured alcohol, but I find the stain (if any) in the shellac sometimes sticks around.

Gun stocks do not equal briar pipes. :lol: