Crack in my Morta chamber

[aztecbull]

Hey guys, so I acquired a Morta pipe few months ago and after a few bowls, I aware that there was some kind of crack in the bottom of the chamber, I contact the maker right away and he said that should be fine and just keep smoking it. But after a few more bowls, the cracking issue is getting worse all around the bottom of the chamber and as you can see in the video, even the draw hole is getting a vertical crack as well.

I contacted the maker and its very kind of him that he is going to replace one for me and I can choose a morta again or a briar. I am hesitating if I should give morta another try or should I stick with briar. Is this kind of cracking issue very common on morta? FWIW, I own around 20ish pipes and I think my smoking technique is alright as I never encounter similar problem in any of my briar pipes.

Share your thoughts and thanks in advance.

 

[AroEnglish]

“Publication in progress”

I haven’t had a morta but I’ve read about similar things happening. I’d go for briar myself but it could just have been a bad block of morta. Maybe ask him if the second morta was also having the same issue.

 

[Peterson314]

Can't see the video yet.

Is that your only morta pipe?

It shouldn't crack. It's a difficult material to work with. If your pipe maker isn't known for their morta, maybe consider a briar. But there's nothing wrong with having at least one morta in your pipe rack.

 

[aztecbull]

“Publication in progress”

I haven’t had a morta but I’ve read about similar things happening. I’d go for briar myself but it could just have been a bad block of morta. Maybe ask him if the second morta was also having the same issue.

Yea, let me ask the maker again, I actually love smoking Latakia with it, let me give morta another try.

 

[aztecbull]

Can't see the video yet.

Is that your only morta pipe?

It shouldn't crack. It's a difficult material to work with. If your pipe maker isn't known for their morta, maybe consider a briar. But there's nothing wrong with having at least one morta in your pipe rack.

Yes, that's my first morta. It's actually from Moretti (Marco is a really nice guy BTW) and he makes quite a lot of morta pipes and I think he should know what he's doing.

I agree that having a morta in the pipe rack is nice, I really like smoking Latakia with it.

 

[OzPiper]

I like morta pipes and I have several, including a few from Marco.

I have had a problem with only one of them - a very light coloured Moretti (which I specifically requested)
It developed a couple of (early) burn spots.
I applied a couple of coats of pipe mud to the entire chamber.
Problem solved.

Generally the darker and denser the morta, the older it is
ie light morta = (much) younger material.
Or it may have a few "soft spots" - which may not have anything to do with its age.

In any case, it was an easy fix.

 

[Big John Shea]

Sorry to hear about your pipe

Honestly I'd send it back and demand a refund

 

[aztecbull]

I like morta pipes and I have several, including a few from Marco.

I have had a problem with only one of them - a very light coloured Moretti (which I specifically requested)
It developed a couple of (early) burn spots.
I applied a couple of coats of pipe mud to the entire chamber.
Problem solved.

Generally the darker and denser the morta, the older it is
ie light morta = (much) younger material.
Or it may have a few "soft spots" - which may not have anything to do with its age.

In any case, it was an easy fix.

That's a great tip, I should try to salvage the cracked morta, let's see if that works.

 

[aztecbull]

Sorry to hear about your pipe

Honestly I'd send it back and demand a refund

Yes, that's sad. But even if I send them back, I would try to get another morta becuz it really goes well with Latakia, and Moretti is offering for a replacement so I think I will give it a try again!

 

[OzPiper]

Moretti is offering for a replacement so I think I will give it a try again!

Marco is a gentleman. I’m sure he will do the right thing by you.

You should absolutely get another morta.
English&Balkan blends and morta go well together

 

[aztecbull]

Marco is a gentleman. I’m sure he will do the right thing by you.

You should absolutely get another morta.
English&Balkan blends and morta go well together

Sure he is! And a teaser of the incoming replacement motra!

 

[Sigmund]

Preeeeety!
But these stories have me shying away from morta. I think I will stick with briar. I wish Moretti made more filter pipes. I prefer them and he does nice work for a fair price...even having to pay VAT

 

[captpat]

I have a Morta pipe that has developed a crack in the mortise. I had it banded but the crack is slowly growing, I'll keep smoking it till it breaks. The seller offered to replace the pipe, and I took him up on the offer getting the same shape in briar.

 

[AroEnglish]

Sure he is! And a teaser of the incoming replacement motra!

View attachment 290214

That’s a looker! What does the original pipe look like?

 

[aztecbull]

That’s a looker! What does the original pipe look like?

The original is a very chunky and masculine panel pipe, which I am a big fan of. In fact, I asked Marco if he could make me an identical one but he said that require a large piece of morta which he doesn’t have on hand now. So I picked one from what he has on hand now. And I will try to rescue the original one!

 

[AroEnglish]

The original is a very chunky and masculine panel pipe, which I am a big fan of. In fact, I asked Marco if he could make me an identical one but he said that require a large piece of morta which he doesn’t have on hand now. So I picked one from what he has on hand now. And I will try to rescue the original one!

View attachment 290256

I can see why you picked that; it looks so good! What are the specs?

Also, he’s letting you hang onto that and sending a new one?

 

[Sigmund]

I just reread your title. You definitely shouldn’t put crack in your morta chember.

 

[AroEnglish]

I just reread your title. You definitely shouldn’t put crack in your morta chember.

What about crack-flavored tobacco?

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Sure he is! And a teaser of the incoming replacement motra!

View attachment 290214

Hey wait a minute. That looks like a human hand. Are you really a bulldog, or are you deceiving us with a fake avatar? I'm starting to question whether I can believe you guys or not.

 

[dPero]

I have 2 morta pipes for latakia blends, both davorin denovic and both great smokers, he makes minly morta pipes… maybe tey one of him?