Considering Buying a Meerschaum Pipe...

[bludgeoningdeath]

I've been debating buying a meerschaum pipe because they smoke cooler. However I was talking to the owner of a tobacco shop and he said that they cannot take temperature changes...that they are really for sitting indoors and smoking. I haven't done much research on them but is this true? I like to camp outside quite a bit and would like to have most of my pipes available to smoke outside. I also do not smoke indoors at my place.

 

[shaintiques]

I've never heard that, I smoke mine outside and have done so in the cold, with no issues.

 

[numbersix]

I haven't heard that either. They do tend to be a bit more delicate compared to briar. More easily chipped, etc. Still, I highly recommend having at least one meer in one's collection.

 

[onepyrotec]

agreed, roughing it and expensive meerschaum pipes do not mix. I just lost one a couple weeks ago from careless damages...neither my Turkish or African meers will ever see anything past my front porch swing. For camping, a MM cob is the way to go hands down. They smoke good, and when something happens to it, you won't be out a lot of $$$.

 

[pstlpkr]

I agree with the others. A Meerschaum's most adventurous trek should be limited to the back porch on a warm Summer's evening.

I have three, (I don't count my two Calabashes) and for me they are a hobby within a hobby.

The greatest excitement for me is seeing some miniscule coloring up over the course of a week's concerted effort.

Seriously, a very big thrill for me.
For the Great Outdoors I would also concur with the above... Buy American... Find a couple Missouri Meerschaum Corn Cob pipes that appeal to your aesthetic sense and enjoy.
::
Edit: I might personally recommend a MM cob with a churchwarden stem... "Very not bad" when sitting around the campfire with coffee on to boil enjoying a nice Latakia blend. Nirvana.

 

[withnail]

I have read somewhere that extreme cold and Meerschaum don't mix well, but I'm afraid I can't remember where I saw it.
Regardless of that, I agree with the posts above. Keep them indoors because they are fragile.

 

[bludgeoningdeath]

I will definatly keep that in mind with a Meerschaum. I saw a nice one at John. B Hayes in Winchester here in Va.
I purschased my first Latakia blend in Charlottesville called "Odessey" yesterday. I can picture coffee and Latakia going well together Lawrence. If it's real late though it'll probably be a Guiness or Murphy's stout instead of caffeine lol.

 

[jgriff]

As an aside, you also shouldn't smoke them in the rain or snow.

 

[bludgeoningdeath]

Great advice fella's. Thanks for all of it.

 

[zonomo]

I urge you to take your MM corn cobs camping. Leave your Meerschaum pipes at home and enjoy it safely

+1. My new MM's are my business traveling pipes along with my Bics. Not only are they easily replaced but they're sturdy and great smokers

 

[topd]

Smoking a meerschaum in cold weather is really no problem... but you don't want to heat it up quickly. One

thing you need to be careful of is wind. I had one crack and blow-up in my face years ago while walking back

to the barracks in a steep wind.

 

[voorhees]

Wow TopD, I'm sure that was quite the surprise!

 

[quincy]

That's weird. My tobacconist told me the same thing about Meerschaum. He said he had one explode and crack on him too. I have small kids and between his story and knowing how fragile they are, I figured it will be a good "Once the kids leave the house" purchase.
Bludgeoning - I just moved away from Virginia (Richmond and then just south of CVille) Miss it almost every day. If you get to Richmond, check out Havana Connections. Quality shop!

 

[zonomo]

hey TopD - is that a MM you've got there? Got a little MacArthur in ya eh? Semper Fi.

 

[cigrmaster]

I do not believe that a meer will smoke cooler than a broken in briar with a nice cake, at least that has been my experience.

 

[cigrmaster]

Here is a great place to buy a meer. Some excellent deals to be had.

http://mkelaw-pipes.com/html/meerschaums.html

 

[bludgeoningdeath]

Thanks for the info Quincy. I will definatly check Havana Connections out. My gal lives in Fredericksburg and we frequent Richmond for shows and such. I'll have to bring a pipe along for the next walk in Maymont when the flowers are blooming in the Japanese Garden.

 

[tennsmoker]

No rough stuff with the meers. They are, IMHO, the queens of our hobby: soft (in a manner of thought), delicate, beautiful to gaze upon and sweet to the taste.

 

[foggymountain]

Meers smoke warmer. I have 14, which I rarely smoke. On extended evaluation, a meerschaum smokes better than a cheap briar, not as well as a great briar pipe. The exception is a meer in full maturity, very well smoked and dark. It takes years to get to that point, but the smoke can be heavenly.

 

[ssjones]

I wouldn't invest a lot of money in your first meerschaum. I bought one two years ago, gave it a try but just didn't warm up the to taste of the tobacco. JB Haynes in Winchester usually has a lot of estate pipes, if you decide on a meer, that would be a good place to find one without breaking the bank.