Does a meerschaum pipe bowl make a difference?

[smokingauthor1]

I am in the market for a Brebbia pipe, specifically the Sun 602 model. However, they have two options one with a regular briar bowl and another with a meerschaum bowl. Is there a big difference? I intend on smoking English and some aromatic blends from the pipe. It would be my first pipe with meerschaum in it and I want to know if it would be a good investment. Have any of you had issues with pipes like this in the past? like the bowl falling out or burnouts?

 

[xrundog]

A meerschaum insert can taste a little different in a good way. It can also make the pipe a little heavier than it would otherwise be.
I collected them for awhile and then decided to go with straight briar or meerschaum.

 

[anotherbob]

Yes it does make a difference. And yes people have had them fall out, not often though and usually seems to happen with older pipes like a couple decades old. Of course that's just from me remembering what I think people said. But the lined pipes do have the same smoking properties more or less then as a meer with increased durability of briar. That's my experience. And I'll put it this way. There is a reason they're semi common. There is demand but generally more people would like a straight briar or straight meer, but enough people want a lined that you can always find a few for sale.
I have one meer lined bowl a falcon. I do love the pipe but find the falconness of it to be more important.

 

[TheIronMonkey]

I have two Brebbia pipes from the last decade with Meerschaum inserts and there are no problems with them. I have several from other brands going back to the ’50s and ’60s. I will caution you about their care. Don’t ream your Meerschaum-lined pipe—it’s very easy to crack the relatively thin insert; do let it dry after smoking—I have come across several lined pipes that have disintegrated inserts; most linings are pressed Meerschaum dust and can crumble with prolonged exposure to excess moisture. But, you shouldn’t have a problem with normal smoking and some dry time.

 

[smokingauthor1]

Yes it does make a difference. And yes people have had them fall out, not often though and usually seems to happen with older pipes like a couple decades old. Of course that's just from me remembering what I think people said. But the lined pipes do have the same smoking properties more or less then as a meer with increased durability of briar. That's my experience. And I'll put it this way. There is a reason they're semi common. There is demand but generally more people would like a straight briar or straight meer, but enough people want a lined that you can always find a few for sale.
I have one meer lined bowl a falcon. I do love the pipe but find the falconness of it to be more important.

So essentially its not a bad investment, but it also has its own issues and demand. meaning if you already like meer pipes but want briar its good. if not or are unsure then keep it full briar or full meer

 

[verporchting]

My two cents worth: things that try to be two things at once seldom work better than those that are just one.

 

[xrundog]

So essentially its not a bad investment, but it also has its own issues and demand. meaning if you already like meer pipes but want briar its good. if not or are unsure then keep it full briar or full meer

Best advice is probably: Try one. You won’t hate it. It’s really something you should try for yourself.

 

[GardenStateoftheArtBriar]

I got some better advice
Get yourself a briar or if you have one, good -> next go get some meerschaum chips/stones and place them into the briar. Try that -all those meer sites sell remnant meer chips

 

[warren]

Have any of you had issues with pipes like this in the past? like the bowl falling out or burnouts?

I haven't. It's a personal choice of course.

 

[anotherbob]

My two cents worth: things that try to be two things at once seldom work better than those that are just one.

in this case I disagree. It's not worse or better then either just different. It does the things it does just as well. If you like the smoking properties of meer it's there. I like the one I have but it's not something I'd seek out or avoid.

 

[metalheadycigarguy]

I really like the look of the Sun pipes. I almost pulled the trigger on one of the meerschaum lined ones to try it and compare to my actual meers, but I didn't. I can't give an opinion on the matter, but if you're interested enough in trying one then buy one. If not then you can always get the straight briar version. Either way I think you'll end up with a nice pipe.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

If you want a Meer, but a Meer. I think the briar lined with Meer is mostly a gimmick. Apply some common sense to it. How do you think a thin Meer insert is going to significantly alter the smoking experience? As mentor, there are some potential downsides. Why bother when the upside, at best, is minimal?

 

[Sobrbiker]

I’ve got a couple Kaywoodie meer lined pipes that I really like. The only issue I have is that they are both smaller pipes to begin with, and being lined the chambers are a tad smaller than their counterparts in straight briar would be.
They smoke wonderfully however.

I feel they’re more sturdy than my meers, but not from an impact/drop as I was initially thinking, but they don’t have the weaker stem/stummel junction that I personally feel is the weakest part of any meers I’ve had so far.

Whether the lining is block or pressed meerschaum does make a difference to me, and many makers did use block exclusively for their lined pipes.

 

[anotherbob]

I’ve got a couple Kaywoodie meer lined pipes that I really like. The only issue I have is that they are both smaller pipes to begin with, and being lined the chambers are a tad smaller than their counterparts in straight briar would be.
They smoke wonderfully however.

I feel they’re more sturdy than my meers, but not from an impact/drop as I was initially thinking, but they don’t have the weaker stem/stummel junction that I personally feel is the weakest part of any meers I’ve had so far.

Whether the lining is block or pressed meerschaum does make a difference to me, and many makers did use block exclusively for their lined pipes.

my problem with meer lined is the chamber shrinkage. Otherwise they do what they're supposed to do. And do smoke like a meer you can drop on concrete and not cry.

 

[Searock Fan]

Want a meerschaum? Go for a "block" meerschaum, not some low grade pipe with the bowl painted inside with ground up pieces of meerschaum scraps and a binder.