Journey of a Meerschaum

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jpmcwjr

Moderator
Staff member
May 12, 2015
24,725
27,326
Carmel Valley, CA
I just thought the wax was a protective coating rather than anything to do with coloring, but I really don’t know. I’m new to the whole meerschaum thing.
Yes, but it serves no purpose once it's left the shop.

No one has shown any real benefit from re-waxing a meerschaum, though some will swear by it, and come up with elaborate ways to do so.
 
May 2, 2020
4,664
23,771
Louisiana
Yes, but it serves no purpose once it's left the shop.

No one has shown any real benefit from re-waxing a meerschaum, though some will swear by it, and come up with elaborate ways to do so.
I guess what I meant was it might be worth reapplying wax once it wears off to replace the protective coating, not so much for coloring purposes.
 
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jaytex1969

Lifer
Jun 6, 2017
9,520
50,598
Here
Time for an update.

Today, I had my 50th smoke in this pipe and took some pics for comparison.

For the sake of continuity, I took the same four shots in the same positions.

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As far as handling the pipe, I'm still holding it by the stem and clenching while smoking. To remove the stem, I hold it on either side of the shank with two fingers, where the name Tekin is and opposite of that.

After each smoke, it gets the pipe cleaner and paper napkin treatment. The pipe cleaner will occasionally pass, but most often, the stem must come out.

I was initially smoking it once per day, several days per week. Lately, it's drifted off to maybe once or twice a week.

It always provides a very good smoke and neither moisture nor heat has been an issue.

It has been fed mostly Dark Bird's Eye and Dark Plug, with a few loads of various burley flakes.

See you at 100!


1600557901648.jpeg
 

mortonbriar

Lifer
Oct 25, 2013
2,678
5,726
New Zealand
Noice!
I just thought how cool would it be to take a photo of a meer in the same position after every smoke, and then make a stop motion film of the progress...It would need to be the kind of personality who can make a 'new years resolution' and still be doing it in December (not me).
 

condorlover1

Lifer
Dec 22, 2013
8,056
27,217
New York
No wax. Just smoke the damn thing. Both the 'Weezell' and myself have published pictures of meerschaum pipes turning brown after extensive smoking abuse. If anyone wants to see them just pipe up and I'll post them for you again. Older pipes seem to be more cooperative in the coloring department for some odd reason. Before you ask I have no idea why!
 

Tommy Boy

Part of the Furniture Now
Mar 28, 2020
810
1,235
Michigan
No wax. Just smoke the damn thing. Both the 'Weezell' and myself have published pictures of meerschaum pipes turning brown after extensive smoking abuse. If anyone wants to see them just pipe up and I'll post them for you again. Older pipes seem to be more cooperative in the coloring department for some odd reason. Before you ask I have no idea why!
Everyone around here likes to look at pipe porn. You know what they say once you seen your first one you want to see them all.
 
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sumusfumus

Part of the Furniture Now
Jul 20, 2017
596
545
New York City
I know next to nothing about the whys and hows of smoking a Meerschaum pipe, and feel no pull towards trying one of these pipes anytime soon...but I can honestly say that your pipe is one of the few Meerschaums that actually appeals to me, shape-wise, shank-wise, and stem-wise.

The color of the virginal, pristine pipe....and as it's smoked, the coloring..... each phase contrasting with the fresh green stem.... is a beautiful sight! Just a really, nice pipe...and I hope it smokes as good as it looks. Just a beautiful hunk of plaster! And...no tritely carved Sultan, busty female figure, or, horned bull.....just a nice, classically carved shape.

Congrats to you....and have many hours of enjoyment. Thanks for the pics.
 

hawky454

Lifer
Feb 11, 2016
5,338
10,221
Austin, TX
I’m really starting to love Meerschaums myself. My first three had terrible draws so I stayed away from them for far too long but I was always fascinated by how they color. Now that I was generously gifted that 1940’s Kaywoodie I’ve found a new love for them and my next big new pipe purchase will most likely be a Meer. I’ll just need to make sure I’m happy with the draw before buying one. With a briar I have no problem opening them up but I wouldn’t want to risk that with a Meer.

That is an awesome Meer you’ve got there, Jay!
 

tnfan

Lifer
Jan 9, 2012
2,566
50,044
77
Franklin, Tennessee
I’m really starting to love Meerschaums myself. My first three had terrible draws so I stayed away from them for far too long but I was always fascinated by how they color. Now that I was generously gifted that 1940’s Kaywoodie I’ve found a new love for them and my next big new pipe purchase will most likely be a Meer. I’ll just need to make sure I’m happy with the draw before buying one. With a briar I have no problem opening them up but I wouldn’t want to risk that with a Meer.

That is an awesome Meer you’ve got there, Jay!
And make sure it can pass a pipe cleaner.