4 Meerchaum Coloring Progression

[hoosierpipeguy]

The following 4 Meers were purchased close to one year apart. Each have been smoked once per day. Here's photos of each taken today.

Altinay, 3 years old and approximately 1,000 bowls smoked.


Altinok, purchased 20 months ago and approximately 600 bowls smoked.


Altinay purchased 8 months ago, approximately 250 bowls smoked.


Altinay purchased one month ago and approximately 30 bowls smoked.


Only Virginia Flake or Virginia Ribbon Cut have been smoked in these pipes. As you can see, the coloring process is slow.

 

[Simmerdown☕️]

Beautiful pipes all. I wonder if you smoked “Balkan/English” blends if the coloring would be enhanced? Personally, my tastes are in line with you, just curious? Enjoy! ️

 

[jerry]

That's a terrific bunch of meerschaums!

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Beautiful pipes all. I wonder if you smoked “Balkan/English” blends if the coloring would be enhanced? Personally, my tastes are in line with you, just curious? Enjoy! ️

I've wondered the same. My curiosity though isn't sufficient for me to smoke a few hundred bowls of anything other than Virginia/Virginia Flake to find out. Even if it were proven factual that Balkan/English, or anything other blend, colored the Meer at double the rate, I'd still smoke what I like. The primary priority is enjoying the smoke. The coloring that occurs is a nice side benefit. I suspect you agree.

 

[Simmerdown☕️]

I've wondered the same. My curiosity though isn't sufficient for me to smoke a few hundred bowls of anything other than Virginia/Virginia Flake to find out. Even if it were proven factual that Balkan/English, or anything other blend, colored the Meer at double the rate, I'd still smoke what I like. The primary priority is enjoying the smoke. The coloring that occurs is a nice side benefit. I suspect you agree.

Definitely agree…I enjoy the occasional bit of Tashkent here & there. However, no where enough to supplant my love for Virginia, VaPer or VaOrs. Must eventually snag an Altinay soon. Best! ️

 

[Sobrbiker]

Looks like someone needed updated WAYS pictures

The Altinays are coming along nicely!

 

[Akguy59]

The progression of color is very interesting. I must also commend you for your taste in pipes. Those are all absolutely beautiful pipes.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Looks like someone needed updated WAYS pictures

The Altinays are coming along nicely!

The progression of color is very interesting. I must also commend you for your taste in pipes. Those are all absolutely beautiful pipes.

The Altinok seems to slow to color but the bottom is actually showing a reasonable amount. My theory is it is slower to color due to the thicker walls. It sure does smoke good. I'm looking forward to seeing how they all progress in the next year. The first Altinay, the oldest pipe, is darker in person than the photos can capture.

 

[Sobrbiker]

The oldest and the Altinok are my faves of the four.

 

[DonutLuvr]

The newest Altinay you posted last month is coming along nicely! Look forward to an update in the future of its progression

 

[RavenBlack]

I have a meer coming... and no experience with them, so I'm wondering if you're doing the "handle only by the stem while you smoke" approach, or holding them like any other pipe? I read a suggestion that one should smoke a new meer several times a day for a couple of weeks, and then put it in its case for a month, to allow everything to absorb - what are your thoughts on that process? And any other tips would be appreciated.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

I handle them like any other pipe. I smoke them every day, no time to deal with the glove stuff. I don't see how smoking a lot them letting them sit would help. I think it would be the opposite. My primary objective is to enjoy smoking them. Coloring is nothing more than a side benefit.

 

[Alanon]

The following 4 Meers were purchased close to one year apart. Each have been smoked once per day. Here's photos of each taken today.

Altinay, 3 years old and approximately 1,000 bowls smoked.
View attachment 438711

Altinok, purchased 20 months ago and approximately 600 bowls smoked.
View attachment 438712

Altinay purchased 8 months ago, approximately 250 bowls smoked.
View attachment 438713

Altinay purchased one month ago and approximately 30 bowls smoked.
View attachment 438714

Only Virginia Flake or Virginia Ribbon Cut have been smoked in these pipes. As you can see, the coloring process is slow.

Very nice colouring on that Altinay, and a great looking pipe! Are some Altinays waxed? I find it interesting that the youngest pipe has a waxy sort of look in the coloured section, while the older one is still crisp.

For me your colouring process is very fast. I don’t smoke my meers near frequently enough to get that quick of a result. I have pipes that I’ve been using for years that haven’t racked up anywhere near 1000 bowls.

But as you say, it’s about enjoying the pipes not chasing the colouration. Do you think using a different blend might give faster results?

 

[JackOrion]

Fantastic documentation. I hope you continue to post the progress of these beautiful pipes.

 

[Choatecav]

Stellar record keeping, Hoosier........
Really enjoyable to see the progress.

 

[neilnoff]

Beautiful pipes and the coloring is really special. Thanks to you, I see a Meerschaum in my near future. Don't have one now, but that's going to change. Thanks for sharing

 

[Kollman]

I am running a similar experiment, but I might be about 20 years behind you with my smoking rate. Thanks for sharing!

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Very nice colouring on that Altinay, and a great looking pipe! Are some Altinays waxed? I find it interesting that the youngest pipe has a waxy sort of look in the coloured section, while the older one is still crisp.

For me your colouring process is very fast. I don’t smoke my meers near frequently enough to get that quick of a result. I have pipes that I’ve been using for years that haven’t racked up anywhere near 1000 bowls.

But as you say, it’s about enjoying the pipes not chasing the colouration. Do you think using a different blend might give faster results?

The newest pipe came with a slightly yellow wax. I think the 2nd newest had a clear wax. The early coloring is the wax in my opinion. You're seeing real coloring in the oldest pipe. I have no idea if other blends will color a Meer faster. Only Virginia ribbon or mostly flake have been smoked in any of these pipes.

 

[MisterBadger]

Beautiful pipes and the coloring is really special. Thanks to you, I see a Meerschaum in my near future. Don't have one now, but that's going to change. Thanks for sharing

Go for it. Everyone should have at least one Meerschaum.