How happy are you with your meerschaums?

[zanthal]

I've really only heard good things about them.
Just wondering if there's any important tidbits to know ... I'm watching a bunch of fleabay auctions right now.

 

[ace57]

I have 3 that I just love.

 

[dervis]

I have one, tried to sell a few months back. Smokes great, but the lattice work drives me nuts trying to keep it clean

 

[martiniman]

Smokes great, but the lattice work drives me nuts trying to keep it clean

my only complaint also, i'm looking for another and it will be smooth (also cheaper)

 

[mrdoody]

i got a meerschaum (smooth - not latticed!) just recently and so far i'm totally digging it! smokes great. very light. i might be a convert!
doody.

 

[colcolt]

I've only had mine about three days and have smoked it about6-7 times so far. It's super light compared to my Winslow Crown Viking, smokes cool and I'm waiting for it to color. Cleaning is easy and so far the lattice is no problem.

 

[martiniman]

@colcolt-i saw your pipe posted elsewhere, Beautiful work and very intricate carvings.
You must pack you pipe cleaner than I, I'm endlessly searching nooks and crannies for specks of baccy.
The waiting for the color is frustrating also, i keep smoking but only turned from bright white to very, very light yellow. I can only imaging the amount of bowls to get the deep patina.

 

[hobie1dog]

I've been holding off for a really large one without all the grotesque carvings on it...in a Hawkbill shape.

 

[colcolt]

martiniman-Having smoked it just for a few days the only part that's turned any color is the rim slightly and of course, inside the bowl. I guess I was thinking by now it would have a rainbow of colors...silly me
hobie-I've been thinking later on getting one with a Sultans head on it. I just think they look cool

 

[cortezattic]

I think meers deliver a truer flavor for any blend -- call it clarity; but I really don't see that as a plus.

To me, tobacco smoked in meers has a bit of an edge compared to the roundness produced by briar.

The downside is that a blend will vary from one briar to another; but that does create a little diversity.
A tip for those who want to keep their meers free of grimy fingerprints and crud:

• go to any automotive supply store and buy a chamois cloth;
  
  cut out enough material to wrap around your meer snugly;
  
  sew it up and trim it to create a "glove" for your pipe;
  
  don't get too elaborate, because you will want to see how the coloring is progressing
  
  and you will need to remove it occasionally to put some clear bee's wax on the pipe.
  
  Also, when waxing your pipe, place it on a dowel rod and heat it with a hair blower so you get a nice melt.

 

[hobie1dog]

storient, your guys can make a large Hawkbill right?

 

[colcolt]

sultans are kinda classic figurals Colcolt that people should got bored of already ;however,interesting but, they are still selling a lot..

I'm sure that's true but for those that haven't been into pipe smoking before or in a long time like myself and never knew what a meerschaum was, it's a real treat to look over the carved heads of Medusa's and Sultans.
I like the Merchant as well.

http://meerschaumpipe.us/creative-meerschaum-pipes.html

 

[colcolt]

Check this beauty out...not in my price range, however.

http://altinokmeerschaumpipes.com/detail.asp?product_id=KG103

 

[photoman13]

A lot of great craftsmanship went into that one. Very intricate.

 

[colcolt]

Oh, Yavuz, you're killing me!!

 

[colcolt]

After buying two within the past week, I'd best wait a bit but a price and possible similar pic would be nice. It's 23:02 for those military minded and I'm going to bed before I get into trouble. :wink:

 

[zanthal]

I looked at your site storient ... a nice selection all in one spot. you're out of my low income price range though, or otherwise I would give you my business.
Yeah I can't resist making the meerschaum in my collection be an extravagant design.
This is a pic of the one I'm planning on bidding on, it's labeled as a carving of a priest:

Really have to give a proper nod for the creative talent and hard work that goes into these.
I'm sure I can find an answer to my question elsewhere... but I worry a bit about whether Meerschaums being so often carved, whether it is easily scratched.

 

[zanthal]

I only meant priced high in comparison to my budget ... I'm not fit to tell you what to sell them for by any means, I'm relatively new to pipe smoking.
That meer is going for $20 and has no bids after being up for several days.
This is educational though, because I see plenty of meerschaum pipes on the ebay for quite cheap, cheaper than most briar pipes ... so block quality must count for something!
More research definitely required ... ::

A tip for those who want to keep their meers free of grimy fingerprints and crud:
go to any automotive supply store and buy a chamois cloth;

cut out enough material to wrap around your meer snugly;

sew it up and trim it to create a "glove" for your pipe;

don't get too elaborate, because you will want to see how the coloring is progressing

and you will need to remove it occasionally to put some clear bee's wax on the pipe.

Also, when waxing your pipe, place it on a dowel rod and heat it with a hair blower so you get a nice melt.

:laughat: And don't forget to wear your pipesmagazine forum helicopter beanie while doing so!

 

[zanthal]

Now this is a good site for some info on Meerschaum:
Where is Meerschaum mined ?
The purest and quality meerschaum blocks are mined in Eskisehir/Turkey. But a lesser quality meerschaum blocks also exits in the a few countries.A pure bone white meerschaum block indicates Turkish origin and top quality; a block containing flecks indicates a lesser grade from Africa's northern coasts, or Tanzania, referred to as African Coral Meerschaum.
Are the best quality of Meerschaum blocks really extracted in Eskisehir/Turkey ?
Yes.Eskisehir has the purest and quality meerschaum blocks of the world.The best meerschaum pipes are made by using this blocks.The best quality of meerschaum in blocks are extracted nowhere in the world but only in Turkey. Whereas the lower qualities do not absorb the nicotin as the others ones. Though the pressed meerschaum do not absorb at all.About 200 years ago, the first ever meerschaum-pipe was carved by a certain shoe-maker called Kovacs in Budapest. Before than nobody knew about this mineral, which could be excellently carved to make pipes.Eversince "carving" has become almost an art.

 

[zanthal]

Well it's news to me :wink: