How Do I / Can I Fix This?

[jmg81]

This is an olive wood reverse calabash i bought from etsy about 2 yrs ago. About a yr ago, i noticed that crack in the shank and havent smoked the pipe since. Can I just smoke it?
Or should i attempt to repair it? Im thinking some kind of glue should fix this but im totally dumb to woodwork/shop . Also, I only have elmers and gorilla glue at home but am willing to buy whichever kind i need. TIA

 

[B18]

I Would repair it before smoking it further. The heat and moisture of smoking the pipe can expand the crack. The only fix I could think of is a metal ring. I don't know if glue would help, but if you will use glue; only use it on the outside of the shank.

 

[Old School 3319]

I have seen people take a pipe clamp to them. Not the best looking fix but it will work

 

[highwaycobbery]

It’s olive wood, won’t last forever anyway,smoke, enjoy pitch and get a real pipe like a cob?

 

[FurCoat]

I Would repair it before smoking it further. The heat and moisture of smoking the pipe can expand the crack. The only fix I could think of is a metal ring. I don't know if glue would help, but if you will use glue; only use it on the outside of the shank.

Might be able to use a bullet casing. The brass would look nice.

 

[mso489]

As someone mentioned, olive wood isn't a long-lived pipe material, so you have the option of going ahead and smoking it, and if the process continues, just let it happen and when it becomes unsmokeable, just toss the pipe. You could try to band it. A pipe repair person could band it, but the cost would be more than the life of the pipe warrants. If it were mine, I'd just smoke it gently until it burns out.

 

[warren]

Do not use Gorilla as it expands. Wood glue should do the trick unless the wood still contains oil. My usual repair is to send the pipe to a professional and have them band it.

 

[jmg81]

Thanks for the suggestions all. It's not an expensive pipe and now knowing that olive wood isnt long lived, ill probably go the clamp route.

It’s olive wood, won’t last forever anyway,smoke, enjoy pitch and get a real pipe like a cob?

Cobs are my goto ?

 

[gamzultovah]

As someone mentioned, olive wood isn't a long-lived pipe material, so you have the option of going ahead and smoking it, and if the process continues, just let it happen and when it becomes unsmokeable, just toss the pipe. You could try to band it. A pipe repair person could band it, but the cost would be more than the life of the pipe warrants. If it were mine, I'd just smoke it gently until it burns out.

+1. I have an olive wood pipe by Roger Wallenstein which has numerous cracks in it, but it keeps on going. Smoke it until it says “Uncle!”