Meerschaum Coloring: Bogus?

[burleybreath]

Thought I'd start a possible fight, not having anything better to do. Does meerschaum actually color, or is it just the wax? Has anyone ever sliced a meerschaum bowl in half, just to see? My interest is purely academic, since I handle my one meerschaum the same as I do any other pipe and don't care all that much how or whether it colors at all. Still, the question annoys. Anyone want to saw their pipe in half to see? You could always glue it back, afterwards.

 

[CoffeeAndBourbon]

For science.

 

[condorlover1]

Someone has already done that on here.

 

[CoffeeAndBourbon]

I have a fairly inexpensive meer bowl for my falcon. However, I have not smoked it enough to get any color yet. I would be willing to cut/break after it gets some color though... for science!

 

[kg.legat0]

I started smoking a couple meers back in the spring. I can't answer your question, but I definitely notice coloring that doesn't seem to be from handling (ie inside the lattice on one of them) ...that said, I would love to see the inside of an old, well smoked meer!

 

[lukasstrifeson]

Thought I'd start a possible fight, not having anything better to do. Does meerschaum actually color, or is it just the wax? Has anyone ever sliced a meerschaum bowl in half, just to see? My interest is purely academic, since I handle my one meerschaum the same as I do any other pipe and don't care all that much how or whether it colors at all. Still, the question annoys. Anyone want to saw their pipe in half to see? You could always glue it back, afterwards.

Google is your friend.

Someone has already done that on here.

*the Search function is your friend.

 

[jpmcwjr]

It ain't the wax, for sure. A fresh wax is a waste of time, but it does bring some color to the surface, which then fades over the next day or so. Water does the same, but the fade is much faster.

Sure they color up naturally, just fine. Stay away from waxing unless you're female.

 

[jhowell]

Someone has already done that on here.

Searched and found nothing. I know I offered up a strummel with some color for just that purpose and no one took up the challenge - it's still available... I also have a de-waxed strummel for some one to weigh, wax, and weigh again...

 

[Chasing Embers]

The initial tanning is just the wax discoloring and can be washed away with a heat gun or a bath in warm wax. The dark color that starts from the heel is the internal coloring coming through.

 

[anotherbob]

The initial tanning is just the wax discoloring and can be washed away with a heat gun or a bath in warm wax. The dark color that starts from the heel is the internal coloring coming through.

View attachment 88274

thanks I knew someone was going to give the right answer.

 

[condorlover1]

@chasingembers: Thats it done properly. That one looks very pretty!

 

[warren]

A little studious research and you would have answered your own "academic" curiosity.

 

[crawdad]

A little studious research and you would have answered your own "academic" curiosity.

Yeah but it would be more fun to saw one in half and see.

 

[Chasing Embers]

 

[mso489]

I like my one Meerschaum for reasons other than coloring -- the definition of taste it offers. For coloration that is gradual, surprisingly even, and eventually sometimes quite convincing with its depth and resonance with no use of polishes, waxes or anything, I like unfinished briar pipes. For some years it's just kind of matte and slowly darkening, but then it can really bloom. Meerschaum is sometimes charming, but with some it just looks stained or dirty.

 

[anotherbob]

or you could have thought about coloring bowls and all those huge hints it's real.

 

[telescopes]

And then there is Lee Van Cleef.

 

[Chasing Embers]

View attachment 88313
And then there is Lee Van Cleef.

That one appears to be calcined.

 

[irishearl]

I like my one Meerschaum for reasons other than coloring -- the definition of taste it offers. For coloration that is gradual, surprisingly even, and eventually sometimes quite convincing with its depth and resonance with no use of polishes, waxes or anything, I like unfinished briar pipes. For some years it's just kind of matte and slowly darkening, but then it can really bloom. Meerschaum is sometimes charming, but with some it just looks stained or dirty.

That's sort of how I feel about my Peterson African meer with aboriginal finish. It's become a dark ash gray along the ridge lines while showing patches of gold-started white many years ago.

 

[Chasing Embers]

or you could have thought about coloring bowls and all those huge hints it's real.

With a coloring bowl, all you get is the outer discoloration of the wax from the warmth of the smoke. The coloring bowl itself is absorbing all of the volatiles you want the pipe soaking up to color it.