Ep 5. Antique Pipe

Season 2 of The Repair Shop continues with episode 5, featuring a unique item for repair: an antique pipe. The pipe was brought in by a customer who inherited it from his grandfather, and it holds great sentimental value for him.

As the episode begins, host Jay Blades introduces the team of expert restorers who will be working on the pipe. He starts with furniture restorer Will Kirk, who immediately notices that the pipe is made from meerschaum, a rare and valuable material. The pipe is also adorned with intricate carvings of animals and nature scenes, which Will notes will require a delicate touch to restore while preserving the original craftsmanship.

Next up is horologist Steven Fletcher, who examines the pipe's stem and mouthpiece. He notes that while they are made from materials that would typically deteriorate over time, such as vulcanite and amber, they are in surprisingly good condition. However, a small crack in the amber needs to be fixed before it becomes a bigger issue.

Leatherworker Suzie Fletcher also takes a look at the pipe, examining the case in which it was stored. She notes that the case is just as unique as the pipe itself, with a special feature that allowed the owner to smoke the pipe even while it was still in the case.

Metalworker Dominic Chinea rounds out the team, examining the silver accents on the pipe. He notes that while they are tarnished and damaged, they are still in good enough condition to be salvaged.

After the initial assessments are complete, the team gets to work on restoring the pipe. Will carefully cleans and polishes the meerschaum, using a combination of water, vinegar, and a special clay powder to remove stains and bring out the natural beauty of the material. He then painstakingly restores the intricate carvings on the pipe, using a tiny paintbrush to carefully add color and detail.

Suzie turns her attention to the case, using a combination of leather cleaner and beeswax to clean and condition it. She also delves into the unique smoking feature of the case, replacing a missing piece of metal that had been lost over time.

Steven repairs the small crack in the amber stem using a special glue, and Dominic sets to work on restoring the silver accents. He uses a combination of polishing compounds and a lot of elbow grease to bring the silver back to its original shine.

As the restorations come together, the team reflects on the history and heritage of the pipe. They note that it was likely made in the late 19th century, and that it was likely a prized possession of the owner's grandfather. The customer who brought it in notes that it was something his grandfather held very dear, and that he is eager to pass it down to his own grandchildren.

In the end, the team presents the fully-restored pipe and case to the customer, who is overwhelmed with emotion at the sight of it. He notes that it looks even better than he could have imagined, and that he is grateful to the team for taking such great care with a family heirloom.

Overall, this episode of The Repair Shop showcases the expertise and dedication of the restorers, as they work to bring new life to a treasured family item. With a focus on preserving history and honoring tradition, this episode is a reminder of the value that craftsmanship and heritage can hold.