Baki Questions

[rottingcorpse]

Hey, just ran into some money, and I thinking about a Baki. Definitely set on getting another meerschaum. I've heard good things about Baki, but I'd like to know a little more about them from people who own them...
Do they really use a 4mm tenons, like they say? Do they smoke well? Do they color well? Do the cumberland mouthpieces oxidize fast? Feel free to add anything. Thanks in advance.

 

[ravenwolf]

Baki pipes are quality. The only other meerschaum I'd even consider for myself is one from carver Sadik Yanik, because I like his crazy detail to his pipes, or maybe a nice Altinok.
I have a couple Bakis. The cumberland stems have not oxidized - keeping them out of the sun probably helps. I don't know the exact tennon measurement, but 4mm seems realistic to me. They have a nice open draw, and no screw-in tennons... just a regular mortise and tennon, like a briar, made of delrin I believe.
They color just fine. I wouldn't say mine are dramatically fast in coloring, but they have some, and would color more I'm sure if I smoked them more.
If you're considering a meerschaum, I don't think you could hope to find a better made work horse than a Baki... the prices are higher, but I don't regret it :mrgreen:

 

[rottingcorpse]

Thanks, Raven/Wolf. I was also thinking about Yanik, but I hear he uses those darn screw-in tenons. Is this true? I have a meer with a screw-in push pull tenon that I never smoke anymore because of that. I can really appreciate Yanik's carvings, but I don't want to wait a month to for it to reach my house and then another month or two getting it re-stemmed. Can't beat his detail though. Damn...

 

[jerry]

I only smoke meerschaums, and have owned over 100. If you can afford a Baki, get a Baki. In my opinion, they are overall superior in every way. I have also had nothing but excellent experiences buying from Deniz Ural, who is most knowledgable and experienced in the meerschaum trade.

 

[ravenwolf]

Yep, all of my Yanik's have the plastic screw in tennon. It's the one bane of his pipes, in my opinion. I can still get a cleaner through them, but it's just not as simple as the briar type connection used by Baki.
My personal result is that I use the Bakis more, and I save the Yaniks for when the mood strikes or a special occasion of some sort.

 

[ravenwolf]

If you can make it into St. Charles, IL, for the Chicago pipe show - you can talk with Deniz Ural and go through all of his available pipes individually. I normally pick one up each year - there was a year where I had blown some significant money already, and Deniz actually helped me pick a less expensive Baki himself. I think it was older stock. Anyhow, Deniz is totally good people, and buying in person is pretty awesome.

 

[brewshooter]

I have a Baki, an Altinook, a Storient, a CAO/Beckler and a cheap little no name meer. Oddly, the Storient is coloring far faster than any of the others and it is a decent pipe. The Altinook and the Beckler are both very nice. However, the Baki, is just a work of art in its simplicity of form and design.

 

[rottingcorpse]

I'm set on Baki. Deniz emailed me back today, very kind and professional person.
Maybe one day when I can afford the money and patience, getting the tenon replaced, I will order a Yanik. His carvings are impeccable works of art, but I need a good smoker.
Thanks, everyone. You've all been very helpful.

 

[easterntraveler]

I would check out S. Yank as well.

 

[rottingcorpse]

I did, Eastern Traveler, and they're really tempting me, but I just cannot deal with the tenons he uses. I already own a pipe with one and never smoke it because of that.

 

[rottingcorpse]

Went ahead and bought a Baki. :D

 

[brewshooter]

Congratulations!