Calabash

[ithelouniverse]

My wife doesn't know it yet but I'm buying another pipe (she'll figure it out when she sees me smoking it) and I think I want it to be a calabash, not just the shape. I want the meerschaum bowl and the air chamber and the whole none yards, any recommendations?
-Lou

 

[petes03]

My wife got me a Meer Queen "Golden Series" Calabash for Christmas and I really like it. They're mahogany, not gourd, but they are made the same way. They're also substantially cheaper @ around $80! They come in small, med. and large, my wife got me the small. I plan on getting another one before long, probably the large one next time.

 

[jgriff]

I believe the Gourd is more important to the functioning of the pipe than the meerschaum. I would not compromise on the material. There are a number of estates out there and I recently saw a thread of a member selling one here for a reasonable price.
If you have to buy a new one, then that's where the problems can start. Meerschaum store had a number of new stock gourd calabashs a few weeks back but I haven't checked recently. Also, Butz-Choquin continues to offer one and a number of online vendors have had some in stock. This option is probably going to be around $200-250.

 

[pipeherman]

I would go with the Butz Choquin if I were you. I hear they are very good. Baki are supposed to be one of the really good makes also, though I hear even more expensive than the Butz Choquin. From what I have seen from Meerqueen they look like they do really nice Calabashes also, though you will have to bare in mind the mahogany instead of the Gourd.
As a clencher I'm supposed to avoid the calabash, but a part of me just wants the challenge. ::

 

[bigvan]

I inherited a few gourd calabashes from family members and I cherish them for their sentimental value, but I don't think they produce a better smoke than a good briar.
If you want one, by all means get one. But I wouldn't expect anything miraculous.

 

[jgriff]

Meerschaum store has some gourds still in stock. Do a search by "Gourd Calabash".
It's not the biggest difference in the world but I have found a Gourd Calabash the best way to smoke really harsh stuff like Black Rope XX. Something about the extra cooling in the gourd tempers it a bit.

 

[cortezattic]

I agree with bigvan's observations. However, the gourd calabash can be smoked non-stop with literally no rest.

It's an excellent choice for someone who can't afford a large rotation of briars. Personally, I think the shallow, ovate

cups are a bit of a PITA to pack and light.

 

[rigmedic1]

I have a gourd calabash from the 1980's. I suspect it was from Pioneer, but it isn't marked. If I am trying a new tobacco that smokes hot in a briar, I often find those tobaccos are much cooler in the calabash. I think everyone who enjoys pipes and tobacco should own at least one.

Now I do not know about mahogany, but the gourd pipes were extremely light. That is why they were used so much on stage (Sherlock Holmes productions, particularly), and because they were so big that the audience had no doubts about a pipe being present.