Hardie's Airtight is the most widely used conditioner for hide bags and is highly recommended by pipe bag makers. Airtight now comes in a plastic container! We recommend the following method for seasoning your pipe bag:
1.Heat can of seasoning in a pan of water until it liquefies.
2.Remove drones, chanter and blowpipe. Cork all five stocks.
3.Pour seasoning into the bag through the chanter stock. See manufacturers directions for quantity. Squeeze out as much air as possible and replace the cork.
4.Now rub the seasoning into the skin. This should be done vigorously. Ensure that the seasoning is thoroughly worked into the welt (seam) of the bag. (See the note below on hide and sheepskin bags).
5.Remove the cork from the blow pipe stock and replace the blowpipe. Ensure that the remaining corks are secure and blow up the bag as tight as possible. This will force the seasoning into the stitching. Tilt the bag back and forth so the liquid can be heard running along the welt. Squeeze bag while doing this.
6.Check that all the stocks are secure and the blowpipe valve is functioning properly. If after 30 seconds, you are unable to blow a significant amount of air into the bag, it is tight enough. NO BAG IS TOTALLY AIR TIGHT. Do not expect the bag to remain full of air forever.
7.Carefully remove the blowpipe and cork the stock. Hang the bag using the loop at the back. Remove the cork from the chanter stock and let the seasoning drain out. Make sure the other stocks are kept upright so any seasoning can drain down into the bag and out of the chanter stock. Work your fingers around the part of the chanter stock that is tied into the bag to ensure that excess seasoning does not get caught there and congeal. Be sure that all excess seasoning has drained out before proceeding.
8.Once the excess seasoning has drained out of the bag (there is no need to hang the bag overnight. 15 minutes is ample time) the stocks MUST be cleaned thoroughly. Use paper towels or rags for this. When this is done, check that the bottoms of the stocks are not clogged with seasoning. You can check the drone stocks by holding the bottom of two stocks together and looking through. Check the blowpipe and chanter stocks by holding under a light. If they are clogged, remove the congealed seasoning with a stiff brush. The more you season your pipe bag the more this may become an issue. Your drones will not function properly if seasoning is allowed to build up in these areas.
A note on seasoning hide bags Do not over season your hide bag. Hide bags are supposed to retain a certain amount of moisture and are therfore recommended for dryer climates, especially if playing cane reeds. The only reason to season your hide bag is to keep the stitching airtight. If the bag is tight, it does not require seasoning. Playing the bag regularly will keep it supple and in good condition, not seasoning. If you require better moisture control, consider a tube style water-trap i.e. Naill, or a synthetic or sheepskin bag. Seasoning a hide bag too much will only make a mess of the inside of the bag and shorten it's life. A note on seasoning sheepskin bags Sheepskin is more porous than cow hide and so requires a lot of seasoning to keep the skin itself airtight. However, they are arguably the best bag for controlling moisture.
