Bought a Baki Meerschaum -- Shank Band Issue?

[jei64822]

So I just bought a Baki meerschaum after eyeing them for quite some time. Of course, right after I paid, I zoomed in closer to the image and the area that the shank band connects with the meer seems a bit off. It looks kinda grey/patchy. Do you guys think that's anything of concern?




Compared to another example of one with a shank band.

 

[jhowell]

Baki looks like the band to shank is off. 2nd one looks like band to stem is off...

 

[BROBS]

So I just bought a Baki meerschaum after eyeing them for quite some time. Of course, right after I paid, I zoomed in closer to the image and the area that the shank band connects with the meer seems a bit off. It looks kinda grey/patchy. Do you guys think that's anything of concern?

View attachment 51876
View attachment 51875

Compared to another example of one with a shank band.

View attachment 51877

I wouldn’t be concerned. Hard to tell from the pic exactly what it is. Could even be reflection from the edge of the band.

 

[FurCoat]

Nice looking pipe. I think BROBS my be correct.

 

[sandollars]

I've got a Fikri Baki gourd Calabash. They are fine pipes. Even if there is some discoloring, consider it a preview. As you use them they naturally discolor.

 

[jei64822]

Thanks for the replies guys; the seller got back to me surprisingly fast (versus 10 day when I first messaged him) saying that it's just wax that had collected near the band.

Baki looks like the band to shank is off. 2nd one looks like band to stem is off...

Off how?

 

[jhowell]

Thanks for the replies guys; the seller got back to me surprisingly fast (versus 10 day when I first messaged him) saying that it's just wax that had collected near the band.



Off how?

Not in alignment... Transition is offset...

 

[sandollars]

Not in alignment... Transition is offset...

From that crappy lighting it's probably just that: Crappy lighting. Baki does great work and would not put out a pipe unless it was perfect.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

Now that is what a meerchaum should look like, well executed stem shaping, congrats on your new acquisition Sir,
I guess this is unfiltered with standard push in tenon?

 

[jei64822]

Now that is what a meerchaum should look like, well executed stem shaping, congrats on your new acquisition Sir,
I guess this is unfiltered with standard push in tenon?

Thank you! I usually go for saddle stems, but this one caught my eye. Yup, it has a delrin insert on the mortise and standard briar style tenon.

 

[anotherbob]

I wouldn’t be concerned. Hard to tell from the pic exactly what it is. Could even be reflection from the edge of the band.

that's what it looks like too me.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

Thank you! I usually go for saddle stems, but this one caught my eye. Yup, it has a delrin insert on the mortise and standard briar style tenon.

Thanks for the reply, may You give me a tip who does sell them Baki meerschaums nowadays?

 

[jei64822]

Sure thing, it's a seller on Aliexpress:

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Others seem to have received their orders without issue. When I initially ordered, the pipe I wanted was already sold to a domestic buyer, but the seller hadn't updated the site. He says all the stock should be current now.

 

[jonasclark]

I, too, would not expect a bad pipe from Fikri Baki. But good for you asking, him and here, just in case.

 

[jerry]

I own several Baki’s. All excellent smokers. One especially, the singular best smoker in my (many) years of meerschaum collecting.

 

[MarcosEZLN]

I already messaged the OP, but since he or she hasn't been active in quite a while I'm resurrecting this old thread in the hopes of answering a question. A few days ago I ordered a Baki only to stumble across this post and realize I ordered exactly the same pipe. Same pictures, same item number, same vendor, everything. I'm hoping someone might know if @jei64822 actually received the pipe in question, or have any insights as to whether or not TuWun Meerschaum Store reuses old pictures for similar pipes. Their pipe listings claim they don't, but here's a post from 2 years ago showing someone ordered the exact pipe I just laid out close to $400 for. It's a shot in the dark but I figured I'd ask.

 

[NC TX ID pipeman]

I was watching Baki pipes on Tu wun aliexpress site for about 1.5 months every day and during that time I have noticed none of them got sold or site was not updated during all that time...

 

[MarcosEZLN]

I was watching Baki pipes on Tu wun aliexpress site for about 1.5 months every day and during that time I have noticed none of them got sold or site was not updated during all that time...

Hmm, that's curious. I'll be sure to update here whatever the outcome is.

 

[jei64822]

Just wanted to update that yes, I received the pipe in the photo, with the same imperfections.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Baki looks like the band to shank is off. 2nd one looks like band to stem is off...

Sometimes images can look off more than they are.

But, for OP: Had those been smoked when the original photos were taken? Can you cap the bowl with your hand, blow through the stem, and is there any leakage at the band?