Looking for an affordable meerschaum that is plain, not small, not gorgeously carved, & approaching an apple, prince or billiard shape. Been warned about eBay & not receiving pipe as pictured by who-knows-whom. All suggestions appreciated.
Affordable Meerschaum
- Thread starter dejavueagain
- Start date
Takes reasonable offers.
Items for sale by meerschaumgallery | eBay
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There are some decent pipes on smoking pipes estates. I got a really nice CAO Ismet Bekler a while back for 75 bucks. It was a deal for how good it smokes.
I've had good luck with old Pioneer meers off ebay. I've got a straight apple Pioneer meer I rarely smoke if you can't find anything else to your liking that I might could let it go. Never been a huge fan of the apple shape personally.
I’ll second Meerschaum Gallery (AKA pipesdepot). I made an offer more than 20% lower than the advertised price figuring they would counter and my bid was accepted. Beautiful well crafted Meer. Quick delivery too.
I had a good experience with Meerschaum Market in terms of selection of shapes, price, packing and shipping; I'm not knowledgeable enough to speak to the relative value of new vs. estate, but it's a nice little pipe:
MM has nice pipes but buy from their website because their eBay presence is a joke. They list the same pipes on their website at a lower price. They also have a “make offer” button on eBay. I made an offer on a pipe and they countered HIGHER than their website price. When I countered I commented that the pipe was cheaper on their website, they countered with the same price as their previous offer, still higher than their website.
eBay is the way to go for estates. Haven't had any negative experiences buying Meerschaum, other than them not clearing English customs when I try to import them to the US for some reason (twice now).
When it doubt, post them here first. These guys are pretty savvy
When it doubt, post them here first. These guys are pretty savvy
This page be my recommendation as well. I’ve bought two pipes from him at incredible prices.Takes reasonable offers.
Items for sale by meerschaumgallery | eBay
Shop eBay for great deals from meerschaumgallery!www.ebay.com
You didn't state what you consider "affordable." Find a pipe in your "range" and bid on it if it "fits" your eye and hand. Or, find one a bit "out of your comfort zone" and dicker. But whatever you do, the pipe needs to be comfortable in your hand, mouth and, most importantly for me, fit my eye.
Thanks for the thoughtful comments. Affordable is $100 or less, apple or prince shape, plain/not-carved, modest in size, block, AKB source or similar. And just received desired pipe from Smoking Pipes! I'm stoked.
meer lined briar isn't bad if you're more interested in smoking qualities then looks. If you want one too color it will probably be on the smaller side, which is fine you don't have to rest meer as long as briar.
Nice proportion to my eye. Love the bend. Good choice! Hope it smokes well.
Not to hijack the thread, but I am interested in hearing from people suggesting meer estates.
I have a few estate meers that I am interested in smoking, but their beautiful coloration due to years of someone else's moisture leaves me uneasy. If I pick up a particularly nasty briar, I tend to do a cotton ball/alcohol + retort as needed. What's the protocol with nicely colored meers?
I have a few estate meers that I am interested in smoking, but their beautiful coloration due to years of someone else's moisture leaves me uneasy. If I pick up a particularly nasty briar, I tend to do a cotton ball/alcohol + retort as needed. What's the protocol with nicely colored meers?
Avoid alcohol is what I've read, but some seem divided on this. A good soap and water scrub, and sanding down the inside of the bowl with some fine sanding pads if there's a lot of tar buildup tend to do wonders. Stems can be cleaned is soap and water.
The germs are long since dead on a meer pipe, it's more old tar and stale tobacco gunk you need to worry about