9mm Charcoal Filter Brand Comparisons

[Professor Moriarty]

I've tried several brands, multiple smokes each with various pipes and blends. I find there is some variation in width between brands. Some notes:

1. Thinnest is Vauen
2. Thickest is White Elephant

White Elephants are so thick, they do not fit in some pipe brands.
Ideally, filter should fit snugly. I find filters expand somewhat in width during a smoke. Probably due to absorbed moisture.
I think it's OK to use a "too narrow" filter without fear of unfiltered smoke reaching the mouth because breath draws the filter tight against the mouthpiece air hole opening.

I find them all of good quality with one exception:

3. Dr Pearl Junior -- I tossed my remaining stock after becoming convinced they do not filter as well as the others. I believe this is the oldest, and original brand.

Best value:

4. Scotte on Amazon -- I believe these are made in China. I find the quality to be as good as any. Perhaps all brands are made in China?

Please add notes from your experience with various brands.

 

[Bassman65]

I've tried several brands, multiple smokes each with various pipes and blends. I find there is some variation in width between brands. Some notes:

1. Thinnest is Vauen
2. Thickest is White Elephant

White Elephants are so thick, they do not fit in some pipe brands.
Ideally, filter should fit snugly. I find filters expand somewhat in width during a smoke. Probably due to absorbed moisture.
I think it's OK to use a "too narrow" filter without fear of unfiltered smoke reaching the mouth because breath draws the filter tight against the mouthpiece air hole opening.

I find them all of good quality with one exception:

3. Dr Pearl Junior -- I tossed my remaining stock after becoming convinced they do not filter as well as the others. I believe this is the oldest, and original brand.

Best value:

4. Scotte on Amazon -- I believe these are made in China. I find the quality to be as good as any. Perhaps all brands are made in China?

Please add notes from your experience with various brand

Interesting how different smokers have different preferences. I rather like the Vauen Dr. Perl filters. I also like the Jean Claude filters. They’re good value.

 

[Professor Moriarty]

Interesting how different smokers have different preferences. I rather like the Vauen Dr. Perl filters. I also like the Jean Claude filters. They’re good value.

MY MISTAKE. Thank you for correction. I have edited my original post.
Vauen = Dr. Pearl Junior
BLITZ is the brand I find to be inferior.

 

[Bassman65]

MY MISTAKE. Thank you for correction. I have edited my original post.
Vauen = Dr. Pearl Junior
BLITZ is the brand I find to be inferior.

Good to know. I was considering trying the Blitz due to their price point.

 

[Professor Moriarty]

Darn! I forgot to save my edit of my initial post and now it is too late to edit it.

 

[Sigmund]

I dont find that my Vauen filters put up to the stem when drawing. They generally stay put. I like that they are a tad thin. You get a little passaround smoke that is still filtered by the flow around method using the outer paper. It keeps the draw from feeling constricted. White Elephants fit in all the pipes I own but I dont like the reduced draw. I havent tried Blitz. Thanks for the heads up. I wont bother.

 

[Manawydan]

I use the Savinelli 9mm filters in my Vauen and LCS Briars pipes and love them. Good medium draw, fit well, no issues. I have tried a Vauen filter before, but have no other experience with charcoal filters. In my 6mm pipes I use the Sav balsa system exclusively.

 

[OverMountain]

Vau

I dont find that my Vauen filters put up to the stem when drawing. They generally stay put. I like that they are a tad thin. You get a little passaround smoke that is still filtered by the flow around method using the outer paper. It keeps the draw from feeling constricted. White Elephants fit in all the pipes I own but I dont like the reduced draw. I havent tried Blitz. Thanks for the heads up. I wont bother.

Dr Perls work perfectly in a vauen. Like German precision perfect.

They however don’t seal in my Peterson pipes which is a shame because I’d rather use the Dr Perl than any other brand. Why is 9mm not 9mm across the board?

 

[Bassman65]

Vau

Dr Perls work perfectly in a vauen. Like German precision perfect.

They however don’t seal in my Peterson pipes which is a shame because I’d rather use the Dr Perl than any other brand. Why is 9mm not 9mm across the board?

Yup. Just like 6mm aren’t standard either. They all want you to use their own proprietary filters.

 

[Pipercat]

Vau

Dr Perls work perfectly in a vauen. Like German precision perfect.

They however don’t seal in my Peterson pipes which is a shame because I’d rather use the Dr Perl than any other brand. Why is 9mm not 9mm across the board?

I use Vauen pretty much exclusively. Found wetting the end of the filter that you put into the stem helps if it is a bit loose.

Worst 9mm pipe I have is a White Elephant, I guess that is why their filters are slightly larger in diameter? Chacom are the best for 9mm, they have a slight taper at the base that grabs the filter, almost feels like it 'clicks' in place.

 

[Sigmund]

A number of makers use the wedge that grabs the filter. I acutally prefer the ones that dont. I like just a little room around the outside of the filter. I doubt it makes a huge difference becuase they all expand as they absorb moisture when you smoke. Vauen and Ser Jacopo tend to use the grabbing 9mm sleves. It has a commercial name but I dont recall what it is.

 

[Hillcrest]

I have had no issues with Savinelli 6mm charcoal and Peterson 9mm were my preferred filter and they did not effect taste. Vauen Dr. Perl, both sizes were an economical back up but they had a slight chemical taste and tighter draw to me. Vauen 6mm would occasionally get very stuck in Savinelli pipes and have to be extricated. The Blitz filters I am using now have no effect on taste and a wide open draw but they seem to be made of a more absorbant paper and become really saturated with condensation (same pipes and tobacco used with others = no changes) so I am only able too use them once whereas Vauen and Peterson I could use for two bowls. The advantage to Blitz is that they actually fit the Peterson Pub pipe well. I guess there are trade offs between the brands. I found Peterson were the best and I believe they were made by Kopp in Germany but they are hard to find in bulk sizes. Next time I will see if I can find the Kopp filters directly to try.

 

[khiddy]

I know this is a 9mm filter thread, but as it has already been derailed, I’m wondering if anyone has suggestions for a 6mm charcoal filter that fits MM cobs?

I’ve used the standard Medico/Dr. Grabow paper filters, Savinelli balsa, and even custom cut my own wooden skewers which all work for moisture, but I’d like a charcoal filter that will fit well, for the occasional blend that gives me bite. Suggestions?

 

[Hillcrest]

I know this is a 9mm filter thread, but as it has already been derailed, I’m wondering if anyone has suggestions for a 6mm charcoal filter that fits MM cobs?

I’ve used the standard Medico/Dr. Grabow paper filters, Savinelli balsa, and even custom cut my own wooden skewers which all work for moisture, but I’d like a charcoal filter that will fit well, for the occasional blend that gives me bite. Suggestions?

I use both Savinelli and Vauen in my MM Mark Twain.

 

[Peter Turbo]

I only use the Vauen 9mm filters theyre the best, savinelli and every other brand sucks.

 

[khiddy]

I use both Savinelli and Vauen in my MM Mark Twain.

Hmmm... the Dr. Perl Junior (Vauen) didn't seem to fit in my MM Country Gentleman, as they are slightly too big in diameter. There may well be a fault in my CG bit/stem, though - I have to cut the paper Medico filters because they are too long for the stem, which I'm told is the result of a QA issue at Missouri Meerschaum. So perhaps I'm just screwed all the way around (unless I were to just replace the stem with a Forever Stem that doesn't take filters at all...).

 

[Hillcrest]

Hmmm... the Dr. Perl Junior (Vauen) didn't seem to fit in my MM Country Gentleman, as they are slightly too big in diameter. There may well be a fault in my CG bit/stem, though - I have to cut the paper Medico filters because they are too long for the stem, which I'm told is the result of a QA issue at Missouri Meerschaum. So perhaps I'm just screwed all the way around (unless I were to just replace the stem with a Forever Stem that doesn't take filters at all...).

My MM Mark Twain has the Long forever stem in tortoise shell. The filters go in the shank not the stem. You do have to tap them out though as they are a tight fit. Not all MM take filters though. Maybe yours doesn't. Check their site for the ones that do take 6mm.

 

[khiddy]

The MM Country Gent takes filters, that's not a problem. As do my MM Generals. The MM website specifically says that White Elephant 6mm should fit, but I can't seem to get them to fit mine. I will continue to fiddle around.

 

[MattRVA]

I know this is a 9mm filter thread, but as it has already been derailed, I’m wondering if anyone has suggestions for a 6mm charcoal filter that fits MM cobs?

I’ve used the standard Medico/Dr. Grabow paper filters, Savinelli balsa, and even custom cut my own wooden skewers which all work for moisture, but I’d like a charcoal filter that will fit well, for the occasional blend that gives me bite. Suggestions?

I use both Savinelli and Vauen 6mm in my cobs, sometimes I have to roll up sandpaper and open the stem a little bit where the filters fit, factory Danish stems can be tight when new.

 

[Sigmund]

Vauen is all that fits in my Kai Nielsen pipes. Others are too big around. I think Vauen makes the best ones anyway.