Don't Purchase Meerschaum From This Retailer!! Buyer Beware

[shikano53]

I bought four pieces of Meerschaum blocks from this retailer and they turned out to be crap. One piece was so badly cracked I had to throw it away.
Here are some pics: see for yourself. Very hard to find Meerschaum these days.
The name of the company is OXtation. This is a warning about people who want to work with Meerschaum to be very careful. Maybe buy one piece and see. Buyer beware. Also: beware the Etsy pieces of Meerschaum displayed on a pipe stand with a pipe stem. I have purchased several of these and unfortunately they are junk.

Chris

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I thought that Turkey had made it illegal to export meerschaum. The chances that you'll get a good grade of meer stone is rather low.

 

[MattRVA]

Good on you for trying.

 

[pylorns]

I thought that Turkey had made it illegal to export meerschaum. The chances that you'll get a good grade of meer stone is rather low.

That is my understand too - so I suspect they must be doing it under the radar so yes, buyer beware.

 

[AroEnglish]

Yeah that's not great given the cost of those blocks. Are you planning on using them still?

 

[didimauw]

I thought that Turkey had made it illegal to export meerschaum. The chances that you'll get a good grade of meer stone is rather low.

Those that have stems, are "pipes" I suppose lol.

 

[anotherbob]

Those that have stems, are "pipes" I suppose lol.

technically. and legally

 

[warren]

What's the return policy? I'm presuming you checked that out before sending them moneys.

 

[rokerdepipe]

You need to find “Mimmo” meerschaum…! (Just kidding)

 

[shikano53]

To try and answer your questions"
Yes Turkey did pass a law and your statement is correct. They get around this law by putting a 0.50 cent stem on it and then it can be called a 'pipe'. The problem I encountered is that the placement of the mortise is not always well thought out and you have to work around that. Not really anyway to change the mortise because the airway is already drilled.
I have no idea how the company I ordered from gets away with selling raw meerschaum blocks.
Yes, I am going to try my hardest to make a few pipes from the Meerschaum. I just have to beeswax a Cutty I made from a piece of their Meerschaum but I wouldn't sell it to anyone. I'll post pics once I've finished the ebony stem and it's polished up.
To be honest, no I did not ask about a return policy. My bad. However I did send them an email letting them know how disappointed I am. I wanted to send them pictures but their is no place on their website to post a picture unless I missed it.
I do plan to attempt some more Meerschaum pipes and sell them if they turn out.
Thanks folks.

 

[pappymac]

Do you know for sure that this is Turkish Meerschaum? "Meerschaum deposits have been discovered in various parts of the world such as France, Spain, Morocco, the Republic of South Africa, Greece, and even the United States" according to several websites.

From what I've been told, meerschaum from other countries is lower quality than Turkish.

 

[Chasing Embers]

From what I've been told, meerschaum from other countries is lower quality than Turkish.

Much of Turkish meerschaum is scrapped favoring only the blocks with few imperfections for carving. The rest is sold for cat litter, farming applications, and other industrial uses.

 

[pappymac]

Much of Turkish meerschaum is scrapped favoring only the blocks with few imperfections for carving. The rest is sold for cat litter, farming applications, and other industrial uses.

Thanks.
I didn't know that.

 

[AroEnglish]

To try and answer your questions"
Yes Turkey did pass a law and your statement is correct. They get around this law by putting a 0.50 cent stem on it and then it can be called a 'pipe'. The problem I encountered is that the placement of the mortise is not always well thought out and you have to work around that. Not really anyway to change the mortise because the airway is already drilled.
I have no idea how the company I ordered from gets away with selling raw meerschaum blocks.
Yes, I am going to try my hardest to make a few pipes from the Meerschaum. I just have to beeswax a Cutty I made from a piece of their Meerschaum but I wouldn't sell it to anyone. I'll post pics once I've finished the ebony stem and it's polished up.
To be honest, no I did not ask about a return policy. My bad. However I did send them an email letting them know how disappointed I am. I wanted to send them pictures but their is no place on their website to post a picture unless I missed it.
I do plan to attempt some more Meerschaum pipes and sell them if they turn out.
Thanks folks.

Well, looking forward to what you come up with!

 

[kcghost]

Well you have had a run of bad luck. Yes, it is hard to get good meerschaul now. The Turks really want to control the limited amount that is available.

 

[shikano53]

Much of Turkish meerschaum is scrapped favoring only the blocks with few imperfections for carving. The rest is sold for cat litter, farming applications, and other industrial uses.

Good info! I didn’t know either.

 

[shikano53]

The last good Meerschaum I had I purchased from Morgan Pipes. He found 8 blocks already cut that were 25 years old. He found them in a box in the basement of an old BM he was cleaning for the owner. Now that was the best Meerschaum I have ever worked with. I bought all 8 pieces. It was pricey, but worth every penny. Here are two pics of the Cutty I made. The cracks and pits are courtesy of the Meerschaum except the fine crack in the bowl. That's my fault for trying to use too wide of a sanding post and against my better judgement forcing it into the bowl. Oh well it is now a shop pipe and I will smoke it with pleasure.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Thanks.
I didn't know that.

Good info! I didn’t know either.

I really wish they didn't. There are blocks of various shades of blue, green, and pink. I'd love to have a pipe made of those.

 

[shikano53]

I wanted to let everyone know that the closure on this worked out well. The supplier apologized and has sent me a block that he hand picked himself. He educated me on where and how he himself obtains his Meerschaum. He assured me that none of his Meerschaum is reject Meerschaum that would otherwise end up being discarded.

Long story short: I wouldn’t hesitate to purchase Meerschaum from him again.
i think it is similar to buying briar blocks. The briar retailer doesn’t have time to search through his ebauchons to find the perfect block for your project. If you buy ten ebauchons you get what he grabs and puts in your box.

have a great day all!
Chris in Red Deer, Alberta