Journey of a Meerschaum

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jaytex1969

Lifer
Jun 6, 2017
9,517
50,591
Here
...why the handwashing before smoking and avoiding handling the meerschaum itself?

My understanding is that there are two types of meerschaum coloring.

The "good" kind is the slow transition from snow white to various shades of yellow, tan and brown, almost to "not quite" black through repeated smoking.

Them there's the splotchy, grey, unattractive coloring from the natural oils from your skin and all of the random dirt and debris collected on your hands.

Here's a couple of random examples pulled from that damned auction site.

This one, to me, shows some nice color development from smoking and minimal "hand dirt" coloring:
1600664336963.png

This one shows nice coloring "behind the ears" but lots of grey, dirty marks on the face and turban:
1600664413015.png





1600664262995.png
 
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trubka2

Lifer
Feb 27, 2019
2,470
21,640
Awesome, Jay, thanks for the update. I doubt I could ever be so disciplined with a pipe. One reason those stained IMPs have been really calling to me. But I sure do like your pipe - it looks super comfortable.
 
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Chasing Embers

Captain of the Black Frigate
Nov 12, 2014
43,252
108,356
My understanding is that there are two types of meerschaum coloring.

The "good" kind is the slow transition from snow white to various shades of yellow, tan and brown, almost to "not quite" black through repeated smoking.

Them there's the splotchy, grey, unattractive coloring from the natural oils from your skin and all of the random dirt and debris collected on your hands.

Here's a couple of random examples pulled from that damned auction site.

This one, to me, shows some nice color development from smoking and minimal "hand dirt" coloring:
View attachment 43549

This one shows nice coloring "behind the ears" but lots of grey, dirty marks on the face and turban:
View attachment 43550





View attachment 43548
I dont wax mine, dont religiously wash my hands before smoking, and often hold it by the bowl since its purchase back in July. I also forgo cleaning until I'm ready to smoke it again.

20200910_005906.png

20200910_041503.jpg

20200911_021401.jpg
 

HitchensDog

Starting to Get Obsessed
Jul 22, 2020
236
824
Omaha, Nebraska, USA
Just wanted to add, that I really like that pipe as well. The green stem really adds to the overall design. I have a Strambach meer that I just love. It's a straight billiard and is a fairly recent purchase so looking forward to some coloring in the future.
 
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Jul 17, 2017
1,692
6,284
NV
pencilandpipe.home.blog
My understanding is that there are two types of meerschaum coloring.

The "good" kind is the slow transition from snow white to various shades of yellow, tan and brown, almost to "not quite" black through repeated smoking.

Them there's the splotchy, grey, unattractive coloring from the natural oils from your skin and all of the random dirt and debris collected on your hands.

Here's a couple of random examples pulled from that damned auction site.

This one, to me, shows some nice color development from smoking and minimal "hand dirt" coloring:
View attachment 43549

This one shows nice coloring "behind the ears" but lots of grey, dirty marks on the face and turban:
View attachment 43550





View attachment 43548
Thanks for the lesson! ?
 
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Reactions: jaytex1969

jaytex1969

Lifer
Jun 6, 2017
9,517
50,591
Here
So, as promised, here is the 100th smoke update.

Like the last time, I took the 4 shots from the same angles for continuity.

I still handle it mainly by the stem during smoking ( by habit at this point) and by the sides of the shank for most cleaning operations.

I've smoked a lot of Dark Bird's Eye in it, as well as Dark Plug, Old Dark Fired, Full Virginia Flake and some D&R Cockstrong.

I'll update at 150 if the change seems significant, otherwise, meet me back here at smoke #200.

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1635624309968.png
1635624325941.png



1635624175764.jpeg