Journey of a Meerschaum

[cshubhra]

It’s coloring up fairly nicely!

 

[solideogloria86]

Never owned a meer but want one. Just curious, but why the handwashing before smoking and avoiding handling the meerschaum itself??

 

[jaytex1969]

...why the handwashing before smoking and avoiding handling the meerschaum itself?

My understanding is that there are two types of meerschaum coloring.

The "good" kind is the slow transition from snow white to various shades of yellow, tan and brown, almost to "not quite" black through repeated smoking.

Them there's the splotchy, grey, unattractive coloring from the natural oils from your skin and all of the random dirt and debris collected on your hands.

Here's a couple of random examples pulled from that damned auction site.

This one, to me, shows some nice color development from smoking and minimal "hand dirt" coloring:
View attachment 43549

This one shows nice coloring "behind the ears" but lots of grey, dirty marks on the face and turban:
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[trubka2]

Awesome, Jay, thanks for the update. I doubt I could ever be so disciplined with a pipe. One reason those stained IMPs have been really calling to me. But I sure do like your pipe - it looks super comfortable.

 

[Waning Embers]

My understanding is that there are two types of meerschaum coloring.

The "good" kind is the slow transition from snow white to various shades of yellow, tan and brown, almost to "not quite" black through repeated smoking.

Them there's the splotchy, grey, unattractive coloring from the natural oils from your skin and all of the random dirt and debris collected on your hands.

Here's a couple of random examples pulled from that damned auction site.

This one, to me, shows some nice color development from smoking and minimal "hand dirt" coloring:
View attachment 43549

This one shows nice coloring "behind the ears" but lots of grey, dirty marks on the face and turban:
View attachment 43550





View attachment 43548

I dont wax mine, dont religiously wash my hands before smoking, and often hold it by the bowl since its purchase back in July. I also forgo cleaning until I'm ready to smoke it again.

 

[jaytex1969]

I dont wax mine....I also forgo cleaning until I'm ready to smoke it again.

Must be all that cleaning fluid you're always dripping from the mustache...


View attachment 43558

 

[mikethompson]

Nothing like watching a meer colour, nice work.

 

[Waning Embers]

Must be all that cleaning fluid you're always dripping from the mustache...


View attachment 43558

I quit waxing my moustache about a year ago.

 

[NomadOrb]

That's some nice coloring!

 

[HitchensDog]

Just wanted to add, that I really like that pipe as well. The green stem really adds to the overall design. I have a Strambach meer that I just love. It's a straight billiard and is a fairly recent purchase so looking forward to some coloring in the future.

 

[Waning Embers]

Must be all that cleaning fluid you're always dripping from the mustache...


View attachment 43558

It may be the breath smoking thing too where smoke is moving both ways in the pipe.

 

[PipesRock]

Very nice pipe and thanks for sharing this coloring experience.

 

[solideogloria86]

My understanding is that there are two types of meerschaum coloring.

The "good" kind is the slow transition from snow white to various shades of yellow, tan and brown, almost to "not quite" black through repeated smoking.

Them there's the splotchy, grey, unattractive coloring from the natural oils from your skin and all of the random dirt and debris collected on your hands.

Here's a couple of random examples pulled from that damned auction site.

This one, to me, shows some nice color development from smoking and minimal "hand dirt" coloring:
View attachment 43549

This one shows nice coloring "behind the ears" but lots of grey, dirty marks on the face and turban:
View attachment 43550





View attachment 43548

Thanks for the lesson! ?

 

[Franco]

I've smoked 100-125 bowls in this pipe. Mostly Virginias and Va/Pers. Never waxed.

 

[jaytex1969]

So, as promised, here is the 100th smoke update.

Like the last time, I took the 4 shots from the same angles for continuity.

I still handle it mainly by the stem during smoking ( by habit at this point) and by the sides of the shank for most cleaning operations.

I've smoked a lot of Dark Bird's Eye in it, as well as Dark Plug, Old Dark Fired, Full Virginia Flake and some D&R Cockstrong.

I'll update at 150 if the change seems significant, otherwise, meet me back here at smoke #200.

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