Replacement Calabash Meerschaum Bowl Question From Noobie

[jennings]

OK, so I'm newly returned to pipe smoking...and fairly green to it over all really, given that my first dalliance back in the '90s at uni was fairly short lived! This is, in point of fact, my first forum post!
Anyhow, to the point...which I'm sure is a daft question, but here goes: I have an Austrian Calabash pipe, and the gourd and stem are in great shape. The cork gasket which holds the bowl is fine too, and hasn't crumbled. However the meerschaum bowl is shot! Basically the bottom of it is cracked and has fallen out completely with age and smoking. So, is it a case of getting my local pipe-wrangler to craft a new one specifically for my pipe, or does anyone know whether I can find one with around a 40mm (40.26 to be exact, measured with digital calipers!) diameter to the underside of the bowl?! That would slot in as a direct replacement. I'm in the UK, and do have a specialist tobacco shop close to me which does have a guy who do their repairs. Might be a couple of weeks before I have a quote, so I have time to kill scoping out my options.

 

[jarit]

I believe a member here who runs this http://www.meerschaumstore.com/ company said that they manufacture all the current bowls/cups for calabashes. Maybe ask him. Can't remember his name, sorry.
Other option might be to ask Strambach in Vienna: office@strambach.at .English spoken.
Jari

 

[buzkirk]

Maybe try PM'ing MeerQueen, I remember her saying they produce these for other suppliers.
Hope this helps
Tom

 

[jennings]

Wow, thanks for the speedy replies folks! I knew this was the right place to come for advice! I'll try dropping MeerQueen a message then...I think I'll also try Strambach too, as Jari advises. Meerschaum store's website looks to offer the same drop in bowls as I as recently on Ebay, so I presume they're one and the same vendor...I'll try dropping them a message to see whether they can offer a custom service, as if they can just shave dowm their large 43mm bowl to 40mm then that would roughly drop straight in. We'll also see how the prices compare too. I'd love to get this one up and running again, as it's otherwise in such great condition and looks so cool!

 

[jennings]

OK...messages sent to Strambach, Meerschaum Store and also Meerqueen too. Thanks for the suggestions...I expect I'll probably get a few options to weigh up way before my local guy can get back to me! Trouble is, will I have the patience to wait for him if others can do the job fast and for a decent price...can't wait to smoke the thing! Haha!!!

 

[buzkirk]

Best of luck, and let us know of your progress.
Tom

 

[papipeguy]

A friend of mine just had his meer bowl replaced by Norwood Pipes and he's very pleased. I'd say it is medium size gourd.

 

[meerqueen]

Hello James,

somehow the personal messaging system did not work for me.so here my answer :
"we have 23.5 mm,32.5 mm and 42.5 mm underside diameter bowls.I think 42.5 mm should work for you but maybe you need to modify the cork gasket a little bit.
the price for this bowl is 39.95 US$ plus shipping fee.Please let me know how this soundds to you."
Regards,

Cem Bahadir

 

[jennings]

Thanks for the replies folks. I'll keep Norwood as a potential reserve for now. Meerqueen's larger 42mm bowl looks like it might well be a viable option. Just need to check that my cork gasket has enough width to take a bit of shaving down. From memory it's actually quite thin already, but might be able to lose 2mm so we'll see. This also looks to be a reasonable price. Still not managed to get a UK quote option as yet, so I'll try to find one so I can weigh up the finances. I did get a very nice reply from Strambach too...they're quite happy to do the replacement, but feel they'd need the pipe sent to them in order to ensure the new bowl fits exactly. Fair enough really, but I suspect this would also probably be the more expensive option as a result of the additional postage.

 

[jennings]

Update:
I never did hear back from the local repair chap, so I have decided to buy the 42.5mm bowl from Meerqueen (via ebay...the bowls look perfect, so I know I'll love it!) and modify the cork gasket myself. I'm used to having to learn a few repair and maintenance tricks myself living out in the sticks! I'll let you know how I go!!!

 

[meerqueen]

Hi Jennings;
This bowl has more reasonable price on our web site right now
Regards,

Bahadir

 

[jennings]

Damn! I knew I should have checked the website...didn't notice your sale price. Ah well...I was pottering about on ebay with some other bits last night and suddently remembered I'd had the bowl to get. I'm also trying to track down some Peterson stems.

 

[jennings]

OK folks...the new bowl arrived yesterday (thanks so much Bahadir...superb quality!), so I just couldn't wait any longer. The gasket in my gourd wasn't too thick, so I had to go carefully in enlarging the hole just enough to accept the new, slightly bigger bowl. I used some reasonably course sand paper wrapped round a pencil, and rubbed gently round and round, stopping to check the size often. Finally the fit was perfect, and hopefully the seal is good. I then gave the pipe and stem a quick polish too, and took a photo...but I'm not sure how to paste it in here! I'm chuffed with the results!