9mm Charcol Filters vs Meerschaum Throwdown

[khiddy]

Have you tried the White Elephant "SuperMix" filters? They are a blend of meerschaum chips and activated charcoal, supposedly providing the benefits of both. I bought a box but haven't yet tried them myself, as the only 9mm filter pipe I have is not in my regular rotation. Perhaps I'll load a bowl this weekend and fire up a test with two bowls of the same blend, Supermix filtered and regular AC filtered.

 

[Sigmund]

Honestly I didnt note that meer had any advantages so I have not tried the mixed filters. Im pretty happy with the performance of AC filters and Im sticking with vauen since for most my pipes they fit and have a more open draw. Im looking forward to the results of your experiment.

 

[b1gb2olo]

Thank you for posting this observation. I haven’t tried them and never felt like I need to after using the activated charcoal filters. I imagine the meerschaum 9mm filters give off a taste similar to smoking a brand new meerschaum pipe before the bowl turns black. It’s not a flavour I found off putting but I always looked forward to the bowl turning black and whatever chalky kind of taste that was going away.

Do you switch your charcoal filter after each smoke? Or do you use the same one a few times with different blends ?

 

[BrightDarkEyes]

Do you switch your charcoal filter after each smoke? Or do you use the same one a few times with different blends ?

I use a new one every time. The Bremen Pipe Smoker on YouTube is a German and he also only uses the filters once. I imagine that they were designed as a single use item. Vauen is the filter I use so maybe will email their company to ask if this is true. It is the company that invented the activated charcoal filter.

Update: I did email Vauen and I’ll let you know what they say.

 

[ParkitoATL]

I use a new one every time. The Bremen Pipe Smoker on YouTube is a German and he also only uses the filters once. I imagine that they were designed as a single use item. Vauen is the filter I use so maybe will email their company to ask if this is true. It is the company that invented the activated charcoal filter.

Update: I did email Vauen and I’ll let you know what they say.

As we discussed earlier in the thread, it's quite easy to get 2-3 smokes out of each filter, esp if you smoke lighter blends.

 

[smudgersmissingleg]

I use the 9mm carbon filters but throw them away after each use. They're always wet and disgusting looking so i'd never dream of reusing them.

 

[OverMountain]

@Doctor Chopper The only flavor a filter removes is from the tars. A vaper still tastes like a vaper but its cleaner tasting. I liike them but I really like them with a filter. For me it enhances the experience.

Tars are bitter. Im not saying the tobacco is bitter but when you decrease the tars in some blends the natural sweetness and other flavors from the virginias and perique really push forward. In comparison, to me, those blends with no filter taste a little muddy.

Mark tape here. This is why I like AC filters über alles!

 

[Sigmund]

I get at least two 50 minute smokes from them. They must dry completely before reuse. Otherwise its pretty nasty using a cold wet filter.

 

[Sigmund]

Vauen's website suggests every use for "Maximum enjoyment". Of course they are selling them. Most online pipe shops suggest a maximum of two to three uses. Most the time they are clogged after 2. Vauen pipes are also designed to minimize flow around the filter. A lot of other pipes allow this. I prefer a little flow around for a free draw.

 

[b1gb2olo]

Vauen's website suggests every use for "Maximum enjoyment". Of course they are selling them. Most online pipe shops suggest a maximum of two to three uses. Most the time they are clogged after 2. Vauen pipes are also designed to minimize flow around the filter. A lot of other pipes allow this. I prefer a little flow around for a free draw.

Will vauen fit a savinelli , they seem to be much cheaper

 

[Sigmund]

@b1gb2olo do you have any sav filters to measure? Preferably with a caliper. I can measure mine and let you know. Im guessing they fit.

Specs online say they are the same.
Savinelli like to charge a premium on accessories. Theirs look a lot like white elephant which are made by kopp.

Also 9mm filters are not 9mm. The tenon interior on the pipe is 8.8mm. The filter smaller. I guess 9mm sounds better.

It’s hard to beat vauen. They made the 9mm market and have to get it right.

 

[b1gb2olo]

@b1gb2olo do you have any sav filters to measure? Preferably with a caliper. I can measure mine and let you know. Im guessing they fit.

Specs online say they are the same.
Savinelli like to charge a premium on accessories. Theirs look a lot like white elephant which are made by kopp.

Also 9mm filters are not 9mm. The tenon interior on the pipe is 8.8mm. The filter smaller. I guess 9mm sounds better.

It’s hard to beat vauen. They made the 9mm market and have to get it right.

I do not have a caliper to measure, my pipe is 6 mm. The savinellis just seems so expensive.

 

[Sigmund]

Vauen makes 6mm filters also. Search online to compare sizes. Some sites list specs. Id bet money vauen fit also. Heck. Its worth 4 bucks for a box of 40 to find out.

 

[PiperCalvinist]

Will vauen fit a savinelli , they seem to be much cheaper

I’ve never tried Vauen, but have been very happy with White Elephant & Peterson.

 

[Sigmund]

If you want a more free draw give Vauen a try vs White Elephand. I havent tried petes. If you are happy with what you have party on!

 

[khiddy]

@b1gb2olo do you have any sav filters to measure? Preferably with a caliper. I can measure mine and let you know. Im guessing they fit.

Specs online say they are the same.
Savinelli like to charge a premium on accessories. Theirs look a lot like white elephant which are made by kopp.

Also 9mm filters are not 9mm. The tenon interior on the pipe is 8.8mm. The filter smaller. I guess 9mm sounds better.

It’s hard to beat vauen. They made the 9mm market and have to get it right.

That tiny size difference is shockingly important. I attempted to install a 9mm->3mm filter adapter into a pipe of mine, and cracked the shank when inserting the stem, as it was ever-so-slightly larger than 8.8mm.

It wasn't a pipe that I smoked regularly, but losing it still makes me sad, because I should've known better as I struggled to insert the stem. I know I could have the shank repaired, but haven't yet done so, as I'm still in the grieving stage. A $0.99 item that will end up costing me about $30 in the long run. Ugh.

 

[Sigmund]

I was an idiot and snapped a 9mm tenon yesterday. Luckily it just unglued and came off the stem. It broke when trying to remove it from the stumel. The replacement is a 33 cent part. Im lucky I didn’t break the stem. Definitely a lesson learned. Next time I wont tempt fate with parts that fit too tight. Taking a hair of material off is easier than breaking a pipe.

 

[PiperCalvinist]

I was an idiot and snapped a 9mm tenon yesterday. Luckily it just unglued and came off the stem. It broke when trying to remove it from the stumel. The replacement is a 33 cent part. Im lucky I didn’t break the stem. Definitely a lesson learned. Next time I wont tempt fate with parts that fit too tight. Taking a hair of material off is easier than breaking a pipe.

Yeah, I busted one too, so now I’m lightly sanding down the circumference of tight fitting tenons and drilling out (by hand) the inside diameter if the filter is too snug. Thankfully haven’t had to face the need to do both on the same pipe yet. Most of my 9mm pipes have a good loose fit.

 

[Sigmund]

One of my favorite pipes consistently had a tight fit. I tried graphite and beeswax to no avail. Two or three spins with light sandpaper fixed it and then I waxed it. I would be upset if I broke that one.

 

[ParkitoATL]

@b1gb2olo do you have any sav filters to measure? Preferably with a caliper. I can measure mine and let you know. Im guessing they fit.

Specs online say they are the same.
Savinelli like to charge a premium on accessories. Theirs look a lot like white elephant which are made by kopp.

Also 9mm filters are not 9mm. The tenon interior on the pipe is 8.8mm. The filter smaller. I guess 9mm sounds better.

Savvy and Vauen Dr. Perl 6mm filters measure 6.2mm with calipers.

Most 9mm filters are actually around 7.75mm

I really love my 6mm corncob pipes, but those are the only 6mm pipes I smoke.