Meerschaums - Smooth vs. Lattice Finishes; Your Preference

[billporter]

I would like to hear some opinions on meerschaums, in particular, your preference for a smooth finish vs. a lattice finish. Which do you like and why. Thanks in advance for your input.
BTW, I just bought a cheapy on eBay that I am HOPING is a block meerschaum. The only reason I can figure that the pipe went so cheaply is that the seller misspelled meerschaum by leaving out the "c" in "meerschaum." The seller says the pipe has been in the family for many years. How can I tell if it is a block meerschaum? Here is the link to my eBay purchase: vintage meerschaum on eBay

 

[mlaug]

I prefer the intricate carving of a good lattice and like the way it will color the bowl while leaving the lattice work relatively uncolored for awhile. It gives the pipe a nice two tone look.
One way to tell the difference between block and pressed meerschaum is to wet a finger and rub it inside the bowl...block will quickly absorb the moisture. Another way you tell is to lightly mark the bottom of the bowl with a piece of clean silver. Silver will leave mark on composite or pressed meerschaum but not on block.
The only other way I know is to start smoking it and see how it colors over time.

 

[captainprophesy]

I like carvings as well... maybe not Lattice so much as figural... but thats not to say that I wouldn't get a smooth Meer either.

One way to tell the difference between block and pressed meerschaum is to wet a finger and rub it inside the bowl...block will quickly absorb the moisture. Another way you tell is to lightly mark the bottom of the bowl with a piece of clean silver. Silver will leave mark on composite or pressed meerschaum but not on block.

Very cool... I never knew that

 

[jah76]

I like smooth ones. I wish they'd stay white on the outside too.
Heresy I know.

 

[dnietosi]

I m actually thinking about getting one cherrywood from storient and have not decided yet, smooth, rusticated, lattice. It will help if you guys can help with some pictures to see the aging... seems to me that smooth is very cool when new but ages uglier than the other too.
D

 

[dervis]

I like them all, I have a lattice and do get annoyed when the radom flake of tobacco or ash falls into one of the 1000000 holes the thing seems to have. I honestly dont smoke it due to spending half the time making sure that does not happen. It is very pretty though.

 

[eaglerico]

I think they are both great. I prefer smooth finishes on Meer pipes just because dirt and baccy can get caught in all the holes. I do not like figural meers hardly at all.
I think the reason your pipe went for so cheap was because the seller is not known selling pipes. By looking at the seller's current listings it seems they sell anything and everything. While I don't think you got ripped off about the pipe I doubt it has been in the family for years as they say. All that time in the family and not smoked?? And not even a scratch on the case?? Seems unlikely.
I hope you enjoy your pipe and even if it pressed meer and not block, if it smokes well keep it. Just don't look for it to patina.

 

[john218]

I like the way smooth ones color, but I have also seen carved meerschaums that I like.

 

[papaskittles]

I actually just bought a meer! Smooth is my favorite

 

[dnietosi]

Ok someone send a pic of a smooth meers aging pretty!

 

[gnatjulio]

Still new to meets. I have a cheap ebay lattice a Storient smooth and a Storient figure. If I continue collecting them I think that I would go with the lattice because I think the coloring would be more interesting. Then again the eagle claws are real nice too.

 

[sergemoat]

I'd have to say I prefer smooth pipes mostly classic shapes. I've heard of lattice pipes breaking off and I hear they are a pain to clean if anything gets into the holes. I don't own any figurals but some of those Yanik carves have been pretty cool.

 

[crk69]

I prefer the smooth finish versus the lattice... I too have heard of several pipes with the lattice wearing down around the edges... And someone had posted that theirs broke when dropped.. Think it was gwtwdbss... It's a personal preference thing though, so pick what trips your trigger...

 

[ohin3]

I don't Own a meer yet but I have always been attracted to well done lattice finishes. Never thought about dirt and tobacco getting stuck in the depressions, but it is definitely something to think about. Learn something new every day here at pipesmagazine.

 

[barkar]

I like both but on my Sherlock pipe, keeping ash out of his hat is a pain.

 

[lankfordjl]

For me, a meer just isn't right unless it's got some artistic character.