I need an education on Meers
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the big difference is between whats called pressed meer and block meer. to the best of my knowledge, prseed meer is a form of manufactured block and then carved, where as block meer is the actually meer forming naturally, thus making it stronger and better quality. other than that, thats all i know about meers. I own 3. one is a no name lion head that is a family heirloom that i wont smoke, one is a no name lion head that seems to smoke well, and another is a CAO that im still trying to get the hang of. However, i do enjoy the way the one smokes.
African meer is more dense so it's less fragile than Turkish meer. Turkish meer seems to absorb more moisture and this is what allows it to color. I hear that the African meers don't really color or are very difficult to. I believe the African meer has been depleted so your best bet on finding those are in the estate/new old stock market.
You'll only find African Meerschaum in an old pipe. It is harder and doesn't color as well as Turkish so African Meers are often stained or painted.
The quality of Turkish block varies, but it is generally understood that Sarisu (named for the village where it is mined) is the best quality available right now. Storient uses Sarisu and Yavuz could tell you which other companies use what block. It always pays to ask that question.
Much ado is made about pressed Meerschaum, but you really don't see it much. Cheap Meers are block. Just not so great block.
I would like an African Meer. Most guys who have them like them, but as someone else mentioned, the supply is depleted, so it will likely be an estate pipe.
The quality of Turkish block varies, but it is generally understood that Sarisu (named for the village where it is mined) is the best quality available right now. Storient uses Sarisu and Yavuz could tell you which other companies use what block. It always pays to ask that question.
Much ado is made about pressed Meerschaum, but you really don't see it much. Cheap Meers are block. Just not so great block.
I would like an African Meer. Most guys who have them like them, but as someone else mentioned, the supply is depleted, so it will likely be an estate pipe.
Nothing like a good Turkish Meerschaum. African can be beautiful too but is like smoking a rock.
Would you all say that a block of any Turkish Meer is all about the same? I see different manufacturers claiming their's is the best. Is one Turkish meer denser or somehow better than other Turkish meers?
Interesting - does the absorbing qualities of a Turkish meer give a better smoke?
My 'rock' comment could be misleading I guess. African meerschaum is heaver and denser than Turkish, and
has more impurities mixed in, which isn't a bad thing, they just aren't as pretty to me. But as far as
the different distributors/carvers goes is up to personal preference I think. There is a difference
in meerschaum depending on where it was mined and how deep. Yavuz/Storient can tell you more about that than
I can as he lives there and has been in the business for some time. I have no idea how Turkish is graded.
When I buy a pipe, I look for a carving that pleases the eye (mine) and is light, which most Turkish pipes
are. One being a better smoke than the other is also up to personal taste. I know this isn't much of an answer,
but it's how I feel. You can make a pipe out of any material that won't burn through and some people may like
it and some wont. "I don't care for pear wood for instance".
(Although, if I see an African pipe for sale, I'll snatch it up).
has more impurities mixed in, which isn't a bad thing, they just aren't as pretty to me. But as far as
the different distributors/carvers goes is up to personal preference I think. There is a difference
in meerschaum depending on where it was mined and how deep. Yavuz/Storient can tell you more about that than
I can as he lives there and has been in the business for some time. I have no idea how Turkish is graded.
When I buy a pipe, I look for a carving that pleases the eye (mine) and is light, which most Turkish pipes
are. One being a better smoke than the other is also up to personal taste. I know this isn't much of an answer,
but it's how I feel. You can make a pipe out of any material that won't burn through and some people may like
it and some wont. "I don't care for pear wood for instance".
(Although, if I see an African pipe for sale, I'll snatch it up).
Funny.... I have two calabash pipes, one with a block and the other pressed. The pressed smokes as well
as the block meerschaum, so I know how you feel rothnh.
as the block meerschaum, so I know how you feel rothnh.
That's a fine looking pipe. Butz-Choquin is one of the premier calabash makers out there. I'd assume his
briers are top-notch also! Great Pipe!
briers are top-notch also! Great Pipe!
I have an old GBD leather covered bulldog African Meer and his Brother not leather covered GBD Bulldog that I have been haveing since the 60s, will take pictures of both later. The old cajun
I got my old Peterson Meer today. Don't know how old it is but it's seen some use. It's a work in progress and I'll be sending it to Walker soon for improvements, but here it is.
It took a lot of cleaning up and the stem was badly oxidized, but I was able to clean it up enough to smoke. It is a very cool smoker.
It took a lot of cleaning up and the stem was badly oxidized, but I was able to clean it up enough to smoke. It is a very cool smoker.
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