Meerschaum From My Mother In Law, Info About It And How To Clean?

exibar · Jan 29, 2016

hi all!

My Mother in law bought me a nice Meershaum pipe for Christmas, she paid $10 for it at a local antique store. I think it looks great and I'm happy to have it.

Hoewever, I've never cleaned a Meershaum before and I dont' want to damage it in any way. Anyone have any tips as to how to clean the pipe? I can clean the stem easy enough usuing the "usual methods" of pipe cleaners and alcohol. I have a retort available, but not sure if I should use a retort on a fragile pipe such as this.
Also, I've seen Meershaum pipes sell for upwards of $300. This pipe has no markings on it at all, could anyone ID this pipe for me? It would make her day if she paid $10 for a hundred+ dollar pipe

Me, I'd at least like to ID it to know what I have.
thanks all!

Mike B
Fixed thread title, please see rule number 9. Pertinent portion: Please capitalize words in the thread titles.

Thank you Robert.

exibar · Jan 29, 2016

Here are the pictures of the pipe mentioned above. thanks for the help all!

bonehed · Jan 29, 2016

Not seeing the pictures. Try adding the file extension (assuming. jpeg) at the end of the pasted urls.

warren · Jan 29, 2016

Right click on the photo icon and select "view image."
What do you want to clean? Inside the bowl? The shell.
The pipe looks to be in the $100.00+ range. I say that without any reference in the photo to show the size. The outer shell looks as though the pipe has been smoked a bit. If there is "cake" gently, with little bites, remove. Other than that a quick cleaning of the bit and you should be set to go.

jpmcwjr · Jan 29, 2016

She's a beauty. Also guessing the $100 range if standard size.

mso489 · Jan 29, 2016

It's amazing how family including in-laws will come up with beautiful gift pipes. Back in the 1970's, my late wife's aunt (my wife was alive then) gave me a beautiful Bari bent billiard, a great pipe still going strong. It's a Danish pipe, no longer made, but well-worth looking for as an estate pipe. Full-size and stout, but not heavy, very fine.

exibar · Jan 30, 2016

Thank you for the replies, I guess using alcohol on a q-tip gently will not hurt the Meershaum to clean it?
dunno hat happened about the pictures here they are again this time (I can't edit the original posting for some reason, must be time locked?

warren · Jan 30, 2016

I'm still not sure on what it is exactly you want to clean. The outer bowl looks fine. The inner bowl appears clean enough to smoke. I've used a slightly damp, water only, cotton cloth to wipe down a bowl with dirt on the outer shell. Never used a liquid of any type inside the bowl. If it needs cake removal, yours doesn't seem to require that, I'd go after it with a knife.
What is your goal exactly?

huntertrw · Jan 30, 2016

"What do you want to clean?"
I was wondering the same thing: The mother-in-law or the pipe?

easterntraveler · Jan 30, 2016

I use cotton Q tips and warm water. Never clean the bowl directly after smoking, the meerschaum can be soft due to obsorbing moisture. Enjoy coloring that it.

ericusrex · Jan 31, 2016

Very unique pattern on that one

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Meerschaum From My Mother In Law, Info About It And How To Clean?

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