Please don't stop reading this post because I will soon get to my comment about Meerschaum Market.
Several months ago, my dentist told me that he noted my palate was very irritated. He suggested this was because of my pipe smoking. He told me it would be a good idea to find a 'palate guard' to use every time I smoke. Obviously, this was not a very attractive idea. After doing some research, I discovered that select pipes could be purchased including a 9mm filter. I thought this might be a better solution to my problem. I purchased a few pipes and, after a few months, felt that my palate was significantly less irritated. I much prefer to smoke meerschaum pipes and discovered that Meerschaum Market stocked a nice selection. I ordered one and smoked it for about a month. Unfortunately, the plastic insert, which should be screwed into the meerschaum, came loose. I ended up shipping the pipe back to them for their agreed free repair. After receiving the 'repaired' pipe, I quickly discovered the pipe did not stay repaired! I ended up finding a non-toxic, high heat glue and fixed the pipe myself. About two months ago, I ordered a second pipe equipped with a 9mm filter adapter from Meerschaum Market. After smoking this pipe once, I discovered the plastic insert had melted closed. I immediately contacted Burak Servi of Meerschaum Market. He promised to send me some inserts made from a heat resistant material. Two months later, after several email exchanges and my threat to seek a full credit for the pipe, he at last sent two adapters. I screwed one into the meerschaum and discovered the stem fit on very loosely. I hope it works, but won't be surprised if I end up having to return the pipe and demanding a full refund.
I imagine that not many pipe smoker’s purchase pipes with 9mm filters. For those of you that do, I would caution you to think twice before ordering such a pipe from Meerschaum Market. Although Burak seems like a decent guy that attempts to solve problems, the company appears to have a problem producing and/or obtaining a quality product with the proper 9 mm filter insert.
