BIG African Gourd Calabash, collector or smoker?

crazyhog · Apr 27, 2019

Hi, I came across this Gourd Calabash on ebay. Definitely one of a kind and not inexpensive. Maker is Beyaz Inci from Turkey. Has a push/pull acrylic tenon/stem. I love its design, but just wondering if it may be too nice too smoke and what kind of a nightmare it would be to clean. Won't be a daily smoker for sure. Any opinions appreciated.
http://pipesmagazine.com/members/crazyhog/album/picture/31401

crazyhog · Apr 27, 2019

Well, spoke to seller and he recommends this as a collector's piece. He has other more practical Gourds I'm going to check out as smokers. I still love the looks of this pipe, but $650 for a decorative piece, not so much.

acidpox · Apr 27, 2019

I'd smoke it if I had it, of course I wouldn't spend that much on a pipe.

mso489 · Apr 27, 2019

Just for display, I wouldn't pay that much, or for infrequent smoking either.

unkleyoda · Apr 27, 2019

Buy it, smoke it, enjoy it.

scottfree · Apr 27, 2019

I love all three of my gourd calabashes, cleaning is not as difficult as it looks. I just use mineral oil where the residue coagulates in the gourd. Let it soak in, then just use an old toothbrush to get it clean. For the Meerschaum cap, just use fine sandpaper to keep a cake from building. Cheers!

jpmcwjr · Apr 27, 2019

Wow!

mikethompson · Apr 28, 2019

That looks hugely impractical as a smoker to me. It is a very impressive pipe though.

crazyhog · Apr 28, 2019

Hey guys, thanks for your comments. Im working on getting this more practical, but still very nice Gourd.
http://pipesmagazine.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/album/13396/20190427_084458-600x484.jpg

jpmcwjr · Apr 28, 2019

jpmcwjr · Apr 28, 2019

.... select the full sized image, then Control-click (Mac) or Right-click (Windows) on the image itself, then choose "copy image location" or similar words. Now paste that URL (the full web address, which should end in .jpg or .png) into the IMG box in the reply window of the thread you're posting to.
The site's album is also a good choice for displaying photos, and the same method works for obtaining the image's URL for copying into the IMG box.

crazyhog · Apr 28, 2019

Thanks jmp.

5star · Apr 28, 2019

Wow - I really like that 2nd pipe pictured. The 1st one - I can't imagine myself actually trying to smoke it.

jpmcwjr · Apr 28, 2019

Probably not a good clencher..... 8O

crazyhog · Apr 29, 2019

Well, I was outbid, that second pipe sold on ebay for $250. No case, unsmoked, but an estate. I can find a large new Real Gourd Calabash with Turkish block meerschaum bowl in a leather case for $300. I am looking at this one. I prefer less of a bend in the shaft and stem. Lets see if I can work out a deal.

crazyhog · Apr 29, 2019

Oh, I'm trying to get this IMP 9mm Meerschaum Calabash also from same seller if the price is right. I personally like 9mm filtered pipes and an IMP Meerschaum with one is pretty rare.

BIG African Gourd Calabash, collector or smoker?

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