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beezleb878

Good discussion and thanks to all

 

sterbo

Well I received mine today (ordered from the manufacturer). It took 3 days.

First thoughts -
As I've mentioned before I'm somthing of a collector. This is hands down the homeliest pipe I have. I am, however, a proponent of "form follows function" so it's the compact nature of this original version that takes precedent.
The 'exotic' which I didn't order is longer so I imagine it will be more elegant.
Problem is that they married a ash or oak bowl (on the exotic) with a tropical hardwood (looks like a mahogony) stem, which I think is ascetically a huge mistake.

Anyway. I'm also not a big fan of ash and this of course is ash with what looks to be several coats of gloss varnish.
While the fact that it's gloss will make the finish more durable it also makes it very shiny which, once again, is not my cup of tea.

Vicki might be interested to know that the very first thing I did upon receipt was to take and immerse the wood stem (only) in 91% denatured alcohol.
I left it alone for 30 minutes, extracted it and the result was simply that the 1st layer of varnish was removed. I wiped it down with water, dried it and inspected it. If I hadn't known what I had done I wouldn't even had known the difference from the rest of the pipe that had not been treated.

In the next week or so I will actually remove all the varnish from the pipe and refinish it myself with a different process, probably using a top grade wax.

Tonight I hope to deflower this sweet young thing and though I ascribe to, "a gentleman never tells", I'll break the rule this one time

To be continued...

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sterbo

Fired her up last night.
Sometimes the first time is the best

People have commonly mentioned that there's a learning curve to hitting off the Genie. I just put her to my mouth and lit her up slow and steady. Perfect.
There was a soft sort of purring sound and, upon exhaling, a release of most fragrant vapor.

The taste however had me laying my head back and closing my eyes with a huge smile. What a rush.
The bud, (Sour Diesel), so delicate, the elegance of it's flavor simply out of this world.

Wow. I'm not only seriously stoked but this is truly another first that I will remember forever...

SuperTorch

I had a feeling that someone thats not a nuby could rock these right off the bat, Hope your still getting a VaporStar as I want the comparisons. Looks like someone who's owned the big name vaporizers is very satisfied he added a lighter based vaporizer to his collection and is really happy with the ease and fun it offers. Fun is a big big plus and I've always thought my VaporStar was a blast to use.

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I only smoke legal herbs, when I come to these forums and discuss things like smoking and the high one gets I'm referring to the feeling I get from legal herbs and have no information on what others are smokeing or reffering to. I don't smoke marijuana but do enjoy discussing and talking about legal herbs and the high from different legal smoking methods and all my post should be viewed in that light.

Vronin

Question for you sterbo...

I'd noticed an odd liquid coming from the VG when I was pulling it. I couldn't tell what it was... it had a slightly salty taste and didn't seem particularly toxic, but I spit it out and decided I needed to clean the pipe. There was no method on the website and I perhaps brashly decided to figure out a method. I removed the screen and cleaned it (very easy), and saw a considerable amount of gunk below (I think this is a collection of tiny particles that made it through the screen). Cleaned out as much as I could then poured 70% isopropyl alcohol (this is what I had) through the top part of the pipe bottom, holding my thumb on the other end. With the alchohol in the pipe I'd shake it around slightly, then remove my thumb and let the alcohol pour out. I also ran water through it.

Well it seemed to work fine, there is no visible material, the pipe is looking clean... but the problem is the wood does indeed look dried out now. While I tried to keep the water and alchohol inside the pipe, some of it eventually came over the outside. Anyway, did I do something wrong and what should I do to fix it. It seems simply revarnishing the wood would be fine... not exactly sure which material I should use though and this time maybe I should find out before winging it...

 

sterbo

Interesting.
I actually intentionally soaked mine (as per one of my prior posts) in 91% iso and it while it compromised the outer layer of varnish to a small degree, it was still glossy (because of the multiple coats).
However, if the finish on yours seems to have "matted" and you want the gloss look again then buy a small tin of gloss varnish, sand the pipe with 150 grit paper (or higher) and recoat.
What you are taking for "dried out" is the effect some solvents etc. have on wood finishes (such as varnish). They will sometimes compromise the gloss and leave the intact outer layer with a mat finish instead.

You need not worry. The finish is fine and probably has 1 or 2 additional layers underneath.
So unless you want the glossy look back then leave it as is. Next time either be more careful or apply a light coat of vaseline to the outside of the pipe to protect the finish from the iso until your done.
Then simply wipe off the excess vaseline and vape away ...

Vronin

Actually, I forgot to mention I have the exotic hardwood model. The ash model has a glossier finish (a friend has one so I can compare)...

The pipe will continue to function fine, but I'd like to keep it looking nice. Regrettably there are already some scorch marks on the filter top due to my introducing it to others and the inevitable mistakes people not accustomed to it make. They sell replacement oak tops so I thought about getting one and keeping the current one as a "training top".

sterbo

From VG's website -
"VaporGenie Construction The wood of the VaporGenie is finely sanded smooth and is sealed with natural a food grade varnish that reveals beautiful wood grain patterns."
From the pictures of this as well as the "ash" model, that appears to be the case whereby my earlier recommendations would still be applicable.

Insofar as "looking nice", that is, of course, subjective.
Personally I prefer the mat look. But, the beauty of wood construction and finishing is that it provides us with the ability to rework it rather easily to attain another finish that we prefer.
Be creative, have fun...

Vronin

The wood appears less dried out now, about 24 hours after the cleaning. Not sure why, but it's all good.

Since I've used both the ash wood model and the exotic hardwood model, I thought I'd post some thoughts on the two for people deciding between them. I noticed they are selling the exotic hardwood model for $55 now while the ash is still $50. When I got mine just a few weeks ago they were the same price.

The exotic has a different appearance than how it appears on the website. On the website the filter top appears to have a lighter finish, but the one I have has a darker finish which matches the finish on the pipe bottom well. (I can post pictures later if anyone wants it). The ash model was identical to how it appears on the site.

The website mentions the exotic model is longer.... 5.5 inches vs. 4.5 inches. But it is also lighter, shorter and thinner. IMO that makes it's more comfortable to hold and use than the ash model. It feels small and compact in grip, while the ash model in comparison feels a bit bulky. Not that the ash model is difficult to hold or uncomfortable, but the difference is noticeable when you switch between the two models. The fact that it is shorter is significant as well. It is that much lower on your eye line which gives you a better angle on viewing the position of the flame (the fact that it's further away from the face helps as well).

The ash model would be more durable, as the website mentioned. Which has advantages for traveling with it. But the shorter and thinner body of the exotic makes it fit more comfortably in a deep pocket, and it does not create as big a bulge.

The ash wood has a glossier finish and a stronger smell. The smell does have an impact on the flavor when inhaling... it's not a bad smell IMO, and it doesn't overwhelm or cover up the flavor of the vapor... actually the smell hits you earlier than the vapor so it's more of a staggered flavor than a combination. The exotic model has a more neutral flavor. I prefer that though I don't find the ash smell bad at all. That smell may fade over time as well...

Appearance wise, as sterbo said, is subjective. I love that the first association most people would have looking at the exotic is "tobacco pipe". The ash model is more distinctive, but also a bit more conspicuous. It'll have a closer first association to what most people are actually using it with.

Even though I got the exotic at the same price, I'd gladly pay the extra $5 if I had to do it again. There's no huge advantages or disadvantages either way. The way they function is identical. But the advantages the exotic model offers, minor and cosmetic as they may be, for me makes it a clear preference.

Vronin

Some side by side pics of the exotic and ash models (sorry for the out of focus shots... was in a bit of a hurry):