A Question For Meerschaum Smokers

[paulfg]

I have just bought an old cutty and wonder what the thoughts are on using the old fashioned coin/plug in the bottom is.
The bowl is small but an old silver UK 3 pence coin can be filed down to fit.
I know not to keep removing the stem but wonder if I use a coin will the space below get filled with ash and if so how to remove the ash.
If no coin is there a problem with the draft hole getting blocked with stray tobacco?

@weezell @condorlover1 @ashdigger

 

[warren]

Why not smoke it as intended and clean when required. Why do you want to stuff anything other than tobacco into the bowl? IF the blend blocks the hole ... use a pick or dump and reload.

 

[niblicck]

Is the problem that the meer bottom is worn at the bottom making the draft hole high entering the bowl? If that is the case then you could mix some plaster of paris to fill the bottom in.

 

[paulfg]

Why not smoke it as intended and clean when required. Why do you want to stuff anything other than tobacco into the bowl? IF the blend blocks the hole ... use a pick or dump and reload.

it was only because I had read that these cutty pipes can get blocked and was looking to avoid it if possible.
it seemed to be a thing that was used in the old days and I assumed that there was/is a reason

 

[paulfg]

Is the problem that the meer bottom is worn at the bottom making the draft hole high entering the bowl? If that is the case then you could mix some plaster of paris to fill the bottom in.

no the draft is at the bottom of the chamber

 

[Chasing Embers]

it was only because I had read that these cutty pipes can get blocked

Run a pipe cleaner though it.

 

[paulfg]

Run a pipe cleaner though it.

I think I will try it without anything and see how it goes.
@chasing I have a question
I remember you saying you wipe the bowl with a baby wipe after each smoke.Do you do it as soon as the pipe has cooled and you have dumped the ash or leave the tobacco in the bowl overnight and dump/wipe the next day?
you appear to be getting good colouring so must be doing the right thing

 

[Chasing Embers]

I remember you saying you wipe the bowl with a baby wipe after each smoke.

I used to, but started to think the extra moisture may dilute the particles causing the coloring. Now I just use a dry paper towel.

smoke.Do you do it as soon as the pipe has cooled and you have dumped the ash or leave the tobacco in the bowl overnight and dump/wipe the next day?
you appear to be getting good colouring so must be doing the right thing

I've been smoking the same pipe five times per day since early April and don't clean it until just prior to the next smoke. I also ream the chamber daily with sandpaper.

 

[peteguy]

If it were me I would wait for Condor Lover.

 

[paulfg]

If it were me I would wait for Condor Lover.

i know Condorlover and weezell seem to specialise in turn of the century cutty's

 

[niblicck]

Put a pipe cleaner to the bowl and then fill and pack. After packing remove pipe cleaner.

 

[condorlover1]

Butt Plugs! I discuss their uses on my blog 'All Things Cutty'. If you are going the Silver Three Penny route you will need one of these..

 

[condorlover1]

I am just down the pub having afternoon cocktails. I will respond in more detail in an hour or so!

 

[paulfg]

Butt Plugs! I discuss their uses on my blog 'All Things Cutty'. If you are going the Silver Three Penny route you will need one of these..

View attachment 81547

I have 3
2 from 1911 and 1 from 1920

I have had a read of the blog,very good it is

 

[Ahi Ka]

I would love the old world charm of a coin. I’ve had success using the meerschaum filter that goes in the chamber much like philt pads - supply of these shouldn’t be an issue in UK

 

[weezell]

I’ve had success using the meerschaum filter that goes in the chamber much like philt pads - supply of these shouldn’t be an issue in UK

That is the route I take. Promotes coloring like this...

 

[edger]

Butt Plugs! I discuss their uses on my blog 'All Things Cutty'. If you are going the Silver Three Penny route you will need one of these..

View attachment 81547

In Northern Ireland in the 1950's that was called a "thrupney bit".

 

[paulfg]

In Northern Ireland in the 1950's that was called a "thrupney bit".

where I grew up in England it was as well,although thrupney's had another conotation
rhyming slang thrupmey bits = t**ts

 

[paulfg]

That is the route I take. Promotes coloring like this...

thanks,how often do you change them?
can they be cut down,the chamber in the pipe is 16mm at the top and at the heel much smaller.i will need to order from the UK as I cant find them here in Greece

 

[paulfg]

I would love the old world charm of a coin. I’ve had success using the meerschaum filter that goes in the chamber much like philt pads - supply of these shouldn’t be an issue in UK

how often do you change them