I Want to Purchase a Quality Meer. Please Recommend a Brand!

[Chasing Embers]

On the topic of tenon connections, which is a popular subject when it comes to meers, Altinok is one of the only current carvers that uses a permanent, stainless steel tenon connection.

After having a permanent fixture repaired for $100, I've started avoiding them when possible. The guys at IMP offered to make a pipe for my upcoming 50th birthday so definitely not saying no to that. The screw in sets can be had for a couple of dollars and the glued in ones shield the meerschaum mortise from exposure to smoke if coloring is a concern.

 

[Ahi Ka]

Under $500 - most of my pipes are estates… Lightly smoked preferred but that’s not a deal breaker.

I’d like a good smoker with an easy draw and a quality joint of mortise and stem.

Nothing ornate.

A classic smooth billiard with enough chamber diameter to allow a papertowel wrapped finger to easily clean the bowl after use.

Essentially, a Meerschaum equivalent of most of my Briars.

Peterson golden supreme/princess or a cased antique meer with military mount

 

[georged]

The guy that made meers good enough to satisfy Mike Butera and "co-brand" with him a few years ago would be where I'd start looking.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Does anyone make a good meer with a good vulcanite stem? Sorry, OP, for the side-swipe.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Altinay, Altinok and IMP would be my first choices

My recommendations as well. I smoke Altinok and Altinay every day.

 

[cachimbero]

Regarding mortise/tenon, have you considered an army mount? I have half a dozen army mount meers (all made by Altinay although some have other brand names) and I am very happy with them. A new straight billiard with your size requirements would be relatively easy to find within your budget.

 

[Grangerous]

Well? @Chasing Embers is correct. Al Pascia (Italy) Meers do indeed have the screw in tenon.

I happily pulled the trigger on this lightly smoked estate.

Now to, as @didimauw had previously suggested… dedicate this one to Granger and watch the it color.

 

[dcrguns]

Blackmeerschaum are very good too. I have several from all different makers and I always gravitate to my Blackmeerschaum pipes. Also, they have a Briar fit mortise. The Al Pascia Meers are good too.

 

[seanv]

That's a good looking pipe. I love my Al Pascia oom paul. In fact, my Al Pascia and IMP are the two best smoking meers I have.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Also, they have a Briar fit mortise.

That's why I've avoided them. Briar swells from heat and moisture and I'd be afraid of that cracking the meerschaum.

 

[didimauw]

Well? @Chasing Embers is correct. Al Pascia (Italy) Meers do indeed have the screw in tenon.
View attachment 274646
I happily pulled the trigger on this lightly smoked estate.
View attachment 274647
Now to, as @didimauw had previously suggested… dedicate this one to Granger and watch the it color.

That's a beautiful one! Should smoke great for ya!

 

[didimauw]

Blackmeerschaum are very good too. I have several from all different makers and I always gravitate to my Blackmeerschaum pipes. Also, they have a Briar fit mortise. The Al Pascia Meers are good too.

I like blackmeerschaums. The way they carve most pipes, make the meerschaum look.....different. haha.

 

[dcrguns]

That's why I've avoided them. Briar swells from heat and moisture and I'd be afraid of that cracking the meerschaum.

I’ve smoked hundreds of bowls through mine and it’s as tight as it was when I first got it and no effect on the meerschaum.


Here are a few pics of my other one that I have not smoked as much.

 

[metalheadycigarguy]

The question I have is do you want a classic shape, or do you want a carved pipe (i.e. figural, animal, etc.)?

If you want a nicely carved pipe, then I would recommend these carvers:
Tekin Uzkesici
Ismail Baglan
Huseyin Cor
H. Yavuz
Sadik Yanik
Fikri Baki
Ismat Bekler (CAO)

You can find some great classic shapes as well as nicely carved meers from these brands/vendors:
IMP
Altinok
Altinay
SMS
Meerschaum Market

I've had good success with Meerschaum Market. I have 3 pipes from them and they're all great smokers. Meerschaum Market sells IMP pipes, as well as pipes from some of the carvers listed above and many other great carvers.

You can find some great meerschaum pipes on Ebay, new and estate. One of the best meerschaum makers prior to 1970 was Andreas Bauer from Vienna, Austria. You can find some really nice Andreas Bauer pipes if you're do a little looking and have some patients.

Good luck with your search and future purchase.

 

[Searock Fan]

I don't really know brands as such. But, if I were buying a meer the main thing I would look close at would be how well it's drilled and how well the stem is drilled and shaped.

 

[Cloozoe]

I've been fascinated by meerschaum pipes forever and if I ever encounter one with a quality stem I'll buy it.

 

[Jbrewer2002]

I noticed no one has suggested AKB. I only have one meer so I don’t have anything to compare it to but I love this pipe. It feels, looks, and smokes nice.

 

[Simmerdown☕️]

I’ve had very good luck with IMPs in the past. ️

 

[Chasing Embers]

I noticed no one has suggested AKB.

The only reason I didn't mention them is because their pipes are a grab bag from many different independent artisans. More of a distributor than a company though I've no complaints about any of the pipes I've bought from them.

 

[Grangerous]

The only reason I didn't mention them is because their pipes are a grab bag from many different independent artisans. More of a distributor than a company though I've no complaints about any of the pipes I've bought from them.

View attachment 275980View attachment 275981View attachment 275982

Those are great!

Question for you regarding the screw-in mortise like on my Al Pascia…

How often do you disassemble your meers with this type of joining? I want to think to do it as “infrequently” as possible. Just wipe out the bowl and run a pipe cleaner.