Another Estate Find

[gmwolford]

I wanted to share this estate find I fell into while we were in Tennessee. The photos were taken in the truck right after I got it.

Soon after getting it I noticed a very small hair-line crack on t he underside of the shank but it doesn't seem to affect it at all. I've only smoked it a few times so far but there are definitely no complaints: cool, dry, and good draw. For the enormous sum that I paid for it ($10) I can live with a small crack and that yellow stem! ::

 

[baronsamedi]

Somebody really loved that thing. I'm sure it has a good home now!

 

[gmwolford]

It does :D I need to get me some white/clear beeswax for it and the new Storient. I have the "natural" yellowish but don't think that is the proper stuff to use, is it?

 

[crk69]

Nice meer Greg... I would say go with the white beeswax.. Congrats and enjoy the new pipe...

 

[gwtwdbss]

That's a really nice find Greg! Way to go!

 

[keith929]

Greg if that is an African block Meerschaum as it appears to be in your photos I don't think you should apply beeswax to the finish.I have several African Meers and have never applied beeswax to any of them. The block is not as porous as Turkish Meerschaum. Where is Storient when You need him?

 

[captainprophesy]

That's awesome... and at $10 you can't go wrong at all.

 

[seakayak]

A great meer at a fantastic price! Sometimes we get lucky. That pipe was loved by its former owner. Treat it equally well and it will serve you for years to come. The location and size of the shank crack say it shouldn't be a major problem.

 

[bayoubreeze]

Ten dollars well spent. Congrats on a great buy.

 

[photoman13]

Great find! I think if you put white beeswax on it then it might affect the beautiful coloring on it. Because it looks so shiny from the pictures it doesn't look like it needs any.

 

[gwtwdbss]

I am in no way a meer expert but that sorta does look like an African meer. In that case I believe I would follow Keith's advice. He know's his stuff, especially when it comes to African meers. I don't think the wax will hurt it but it definitely wont get the benefit of a wax like a Turkish meer would. As for the Storient meer, I have used the white beeswax on my #11 with great results. I haven't applied any wax or smoked my PM meer yet.

 

[fnord]

Good snag, Greg. I know nothing about meers, but even with that yellow stem, it's a lovely pipe. That bowl is coloring beautifully and I hope it continues to be a great smoker for you.
That said, could somebody give me a short discourse on the beeswax? I put on the yellow stuff our good friend, Beewrangler, sent me to tighten stems, but do you guys smear the white beeswax on your bowls? How come?
And if nobody objects to one more question, why meer over briar?

 

[photoman13]

Yavuz told me that the color of the beeswax can color the pipe that color. Although it it is brown I doubt yellow beeswax would change the color much. If you have a rather white pipe then you would want to use the white beeswax or it would look a little yellow.

 

[gmwolford]

I honestly don't know of its African or not; how can I tell?
It feels smooth-ish except for on the front, so I thought the wax may have worn off. I'm not in any hurry to do anything to it so ill wait until I know for sure and have what I need. I'm holding them both (especially the Storient) by the stem when I smoke them to keep them free of smudges, etc.
Here's a photo if the crack. I took it to keep track of if it worsens.

 

[hawk60ce]

Great find!

 

[gwtwdbss]

I wonder if ya can dab a little crazy glue on the end of that stem?

 

[uberam3rica]

For $10 I wouldn't be too mad about the crack either.

 

[photoman13]

Maybe put a metal cap on the shank to prevent it from cracking further.

 

[frennchy11]

Thats a beauty!

 

[gmwolford]

Super glue- intriguing thought.
I have/am thinking if having it banded. I just wasn't sure if that was a good idea on a meer.