Meerschaum 'Cutty' Thursday

[condorlover1]

There is nothing like being original and here is another one I picked up last week in my travels!

 

[huntertrw]

condorlover1:
Very pretty! Please educate me: What accounts for (what I perceive to be) the uneven coloration of the bowl?

 

[condorlover1]

It is caused by smoking the pipe. Over time the pipe will turn a yellow and then ultimately a dark brown color caused by the interaction between the meerschaum and the tobacco juices!

 

[huntertrw]

condorlover1:
Thank-you; I understand that part. My poorly-stated question pertained to what I perceive to be the unevenness of the coloration. Is that caused by handling, by partial filling of the pipe with tobacco, or is it just the nature of Meerschaum? Please explain.

 

[bigpond]

Awesome pipe! How does it smoke? I've been curious about old meers.

 

[mranglophile]

I really like the cutty shape, especially in meerschaum....great score.

 

[blueeyedogre]

Thank-you; I understand that part. My poorly-stated question pertained to what I perceive to be the unevenness of the coloration. Is that caused by handling, by partial filling of the pipe with tobacco, or is it just the nature of Meerschaum? Please explain.

Sometimes its the wax on the pipe. Heavier or lighter wax in places will cause coloring to differ.

 

[thefalcon]

Simon, she's a beauty...enjoy brother!
Cheers!

--Eric

 

[weezell]

GOTTA Love It!!!...

 

[northernneil]

Please educate me: What accounts for (what I perceive to be) the uneven coloration of the bowl?

Here is an excerpt I found on Altinok's Meerschaum Pipe Shop
One of the fascinating qualities of Meerschaum is its ability to change color from white to golden to a deep reddish brown. This results from the oil in the tobacco and wax on the outside of the bowl. If it is smoked too fast or too hot, the wax may melt down and only the base will color. Do not touch the bowl with your hands when the pipe is warm. The softened wax may cling to your fingers and the pipe will color in blotches.

 

[aldecaker]

My (uneducated) guess is that the transition area where the smoke makes the 90 degree turn from bowl to shank gets wetter from condensation, and the pipe colors first in that area.