Alternative Bowl for Gourd Calabash

[georged]

I never cared for the swollen mushroom-marshmallow look of meer on a calabash, so years ago had a pipe maker spin up a briar swap-out/replacement for my Bauer.

In addition to looking better (to my eye, anyway) --- sleeker, better color (the pressed meer used for basher bowls does not color like natural meer), and more interesting because of the grain --- the briar cup is tougher and more durable as well as considerably lighter.

All engineering decisions are supposed to involve trade-offs, but none have ever stuck me in this case.

Recommended

 

[OzPiper]

Mimmo Provenzano have very interesting "hybrid" calabashes made from a vatiety of different materials eg morta reservoirs and bowl from different woods, some briar-lined.

I've been tempted but have yet to buy one as I seldom smoke my Bauer, as I find it rather cumbersome.

 

[kcghost]

That is a beautiful calabash.

 

[OzPiper]

I wonder how many members smoke their gourd calabashes (NOT the briar ones !) regularly ?

And if not, is it because they are cumbersome, or some other reason ?

 

[georged]

I wonder how many members smoke their gourd calabashes (NOT the briar ones !) regularly ?

For what it's worth, I smoke mine regularly. 3-5 times a week. Its "mission" is the last bowl of the day, espresso-style. A small quantity of something really strong is just the ticket most days.

Cigarette-fine-sliced Brown Bogie or Brown #4 are what I usually reach for.

 

[georged]

That is a beautiful calabash.

Bob Hamlin had an entire table of them---dozens---at the 1990 Richmond show. Your choice for a hundred bucks.

Fun times

 

[OzPiper]

For what it's worth, I smoke mine regularly. 3-5 times a week. Its "mission" is the last bowl of the day, espresso-style. A small quantity of something really strong is just the ticket most days.

Cigarette-fine-sliced Brown Bogie or Brown #4 are what I usually reach for.

Yes,, I use mine for strong blends too.
The increased air space dilutes the Nic hit well.

 

[smudgersmissingleg]

I never cared for the swollen mushroom-marshmallow look of meer on a calabash, so years ago had a pipe maker spin up a briar swap-out/replacement for my Bauer.

In addition to looking better (to my eye, anyway) --- sleeker, better color (the pressed meer used for basher bowls does not color like natural meer), and more interesting because of the grain --- the briar cup is tougher and more durable as well as considerably lighter.

All engineering decisions are supposed to involve trade-offs, but none have ever stuck me in this case.

Recommended

View attachment 186370

I've got 4 gourd calabashes and none of them have a pressed meer bowl. The 2 Strambachs I own have their special meerschaum bowls which are much heavier and don't colour like block. The Northern Briars bash has a block bowl and is light as a feather. I also own a Baki that has a block bowl but that is heavier because it's covered in silver. I smoke them quite frequently. They're great if you're sitting down watching a film or the telly.

Strambach with silver ferrule


Strambach


Northern Briars


Baki