Mini Meerschaum pipes

[thebigar]

I have been looking around for a meerschaum pipe and have stumbled onto this site for mini meerschaums

has anyone seen these before or have any thoughts on them?

I am a young guy without the funds to go and buy a $200 full size meerschaum pipe and these don't really look that small

Anybody with experience or help with these little pipes?

Mini meerschaums

 

[tokerpipes]

I HAD one of them. It is very hard to find mini block meer pipes. As previously stated these are made of particles and dust from carving larger meers from block, they are called pressed meer. Basicaly they take the left overs and grind them down add watter and press the meer either into a mold or into a block form and et it dry. They will sand the edges down smooth.
Warning if you buy one smoke real slow and take extra care when reeming (they will form a good bit of cake). Inspect them after every bowl and use a tool to clean out the bowl. Mine got a hair line crack and fell apart in my hand.
Look for estate meers in the bay. You can find good quality meers for cheep. It will color the same if you or someone else smokes it.

 

[topd]

I picked up some mini's some time ago, not because I thought they would smoke great but just to add to my display cabinet. The second one is a 'Medet'. I guess even the masters come upon a shortage of meerschaum sometimes, or he hated to pass on a nice piece to the younger guys. I smoke the Medet once in a while, only about a 20 minute smoke, but a pleasure to hold and look at. Both are about four and a half inches long, very small. (They are block meerschaum, not press).

 

[shaintiques]

Watch out for tongue burn the smoke has no time to cool.

 

[shaintiques]

If i were you ide buy a nice clay instead for about the same price. Try here http://www.pipeshoppe.com/index.php

 

[baronsamedi]

+1 on the clay. I got a nice full-sized Meer on eBay for $10.99 I had to replace a busted push/pull mortise and tenon for another $3 or so. I still smoke it and after a year, It's developing a nice patina. If you do the bay, make sure there a large, clear pics and good details. Don't be afraid to ask the seller questions and don't bid if you aren't satisfied with the answers.

 

[jrtaster]

More knowledgeable experts can correct me, but I don't think you need spend the whole $200 to buy a reasonably sized well made, block meerschaum pipe from a reputable carver. It won't be a Baki for $200 but still one from a high-quality carver.

Fred, Brian and Storient can fill in the blanks!

jr/john

 

[thebigar]

that site claims that all pipes are hand carved from solid block meerschaum

hmmmm i wonder if that could be true

 

[thebigar]

http://www.royalmeerschaumpipes.com/default.asp

 

[thebigar]

im guessing that it is probably like you said just pressed meerschaum or just crappy quality stone on the cheap minis

 

[thebigar]

well i think i might give one a try i dont think i could really go wrong for $10-15

i can at least try meerschaum and now i think i know what i will be getting

 

[thebigar]

ya i think i might do a little review when i do get it and smoke it a while.

i do appreciate your input storient i know it can be uncomfortable to talk about competitors in any light

 

[brian64]

@thebigar: Just my 2 cents, based on my own experience, but I would have to say that unless and until you are willing and/or able to spend in at least the $100 to $150 range, you'd be better off going for a Missouri Meer (Cob). Or if you can spend a little more, like $50 to $100, there are lots of decent briars to be had in that range. A cheap mini-meer in the $10 range will not provide you with the "meer experience", IMO.
But if you've already got a cob, then go for it...ya never know.
EDIT: OR, you could look for an estate meer and possibly find a great deal that way.

 

[thebigar]

ya i already have a cob i actually live about 20 mins from the mm cob factory in missouri so when i got mine i got to look around their little museum it was pretty cool.

 

[brian64]

ya i already have a cob i actually live about 20 mins from the mm cob factory in missouri so when i got mine i got to look around their little museum it was pretty cool.

Ah, I see...very cool. Well, like I said, you might be able to find a great deal on an estate meer on ebay...but I don't know much about that...someone else would have to offer advice in that regard.

 

[thebigar]

if i were to find a good deal on an ebay estate or used meerschaum what would be the process for cleaning or restoring it?

 

[mrgunnar177]

Iv had a mini, it was crap broke in the first 10 min, stem had a bad fit. I have a very nice one but it's full size, please don't waste your money on the minis,

 

[good1]

Mini's are great if you happen to get one that wont fall apart.

I'm smoking one now that I have a 6 inch bit on it.

I was told that you can't do that. Mini's stems are threaded to .25" 20 thread,

a nornal meer is threaded .3125 (not sure about thread count).

All you need to do is rethread it IF the stem is large enough.

I had 5 mini meer churchwardens, now I have 3. 2 of them I've smoked for 5 years and are doing well.

My last and favorite one I've had for 3 months. It's got a chip, it's dirty and turning dark brown very fast.

If it lasts great if not I've got my $10 worth out of it.

It does smoke nice too with the long bit on it which is needed because your not going to be able to hold the bowl.

I love meers and minis are great for a quick smoke or trying several tobaccos but nothing like firing up a full size pipe.

 

[pipedreams101]

I have a mini myself, and i will tell you my first impressions. it was alot smaller than i thought it would be, smokes incredibly hot(and im not a fast smoker)and had to drill the stem and tenon out to get a good draw.... If you are new to smoking, i wouldnt recomend a mini, it will give you a bad first impression of a meer. i would get a standard or medium sized meer for 40-60 bucks and you would be very happy. you may look into getting the stem and tenon drilled out later down the road as it will improve draw and the slight gurggle you may encounter. they will do it at Walker Briar Works for a good price. unless you have the right tools and know how DO NOT try to do it yourself, the plastic bit breaks easily when attacked with a drill bit...my experience anyway lol

 

[grizzly86]

Not to discourage you if you want to try a mini; $10 isn't much to lose if it turns out to be bad. Just thought I would show you what some long hours on ebay can turn up. I lost out on quite a few meers before I won this one, but I think it was worth it. I know nothing of the carver, but this is a great pipe. I smoked this almost exclusively for about 2 months after I got it; up to 6-8 times a day.