Missouri Meerschaums vs. Everything Else

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Grangerous

Lifer
Dec 8, 2020
3,460
14,301
East Coast USA
I wasn't referring to anything about draw. I was saying it more for flavor of the tobacco. —— Every time I smoke one of my briars I feel like the flavor of the tobacco is muted and harsh. —-

This ☝️

Perhaps it’s because I smoke burley but everything tastes far more enjoyable to me when in a cob. I’m about ready to put away the briars.
 

Chasing Embers

Captain of the Black Frigate
Nov 12, 2014
44,917
117,176
The whole OTC + MM cobs combination reminds me of my favourite phil’s-osophy:

“The most amazing things that can happen to a human being will happen to you, if you just lower your expectations”
Or maybe the opposite is true. Being one of if not the newest natural materials a pipe is made from, it may be the highest standard of pipe and not all have realized it. Their drilling is certainly Dun better than many makers ever hill.
 
Jan 28, 2018
13,915
155,556
67
Sarasota, FL
I’ve been thinking about this. For decades, he smoked Cavendish blends almost exclusively. Dunhill A-21000 was his persistent favorite. And he rarely, if ever, cleaned his pipes. I have attempted to deep clean many of them, as they would often yield an ashy flavor. Perhaps they deserve another round of deep cleaning!
Try the salt cleaning method to insure you’ve gotten rid of any ghost.
 
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btp79

Can't Leave
Jan 27, 2018
436
711
Sugar Land, TX
I’ve been thinking about this. For decades, he smoked Cavendish blends almost exclusively. Dunhill A-21000 was his persistent favorite. And he rarely, if ever, cleaned his pipes. I have attempted to deep clean many of them, as they would often yield an ashy flavor. Perhaps they deserve another round of deep cleaning!
Another possibility to consider is the pipe bowl isn't causing the off-putting flavor, but the stem/mouthpiece. I've had more than a few vintage pipes that give off a sulphury/ashy taste from the oxidation of the vulcanite or whatever material it is. Once the oxidation is mitigated, the pipes smoke great.
 

Merton

Lifer
Jul 8, 2020
1,039
2,786
Boston, Massachusetts
I wasn't referring to anything about draw. I was saying it more for flavor of the tobacco. Maybe he is like me and just can't get solid, pure flavor from a briar pipe of any kind. I only enjoy smoking meerschaum or corn cob pipes. Every time I smoke one of my briars I feel like the flavor of the tobacco is muted and harsh. You are correct though, nothing beats the draw of a MM.
If you can afford it, or save up for it, buy a castello. Nothing will be muted.
 

Chasing Embers

Captain of the Black Frigate
Nov 12, 2014
44,917
117,176
If you can afford it, or save up for it, buy a castello. Nothing will be muted.
 
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Grangerous

Lifer
Dec 8, 2020
3,460
14,301
East Coast USA

Another example of how cost doesn’t guarantee a thing. It’s not a fashion statement, pipe smoking. Shouldn’t be. —It’s about relaxation and enjoyment. I’ll stick with the Ugg’s.

For those who haven’t read the entire thread, “Ugg’s” meaning Cobs. — I’ve never had an MM cob fail to provide a consistently well mannered, tasty and effortless smoke. For use of a simple, renewable material and a hundred years of manufacturing them, I say drop the pretenses and give them their due. They’re perfect for enjoying tobacco.

Collecting pipes is another subset of the pastime. Not a thing wrong with appreciating finished and carvers and designed. But for enjoying tobacco? Ugg’s.
 
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JOHN72

Lifer
Sep 12, 2020
5,824
57,283
51
Spain - Europe
Recently, I used the electric toothbrush to clean some MM General. I flood the bowl with alcohol, and immerse the electric toothbrush from top to bottom and so on. The cleanliness is positive, the walls are very clean and the walls are not damaged. I let it dry for a week. Then you can smoke without ghosts, or any taste or smell of the past. 96º alcohol volatilizes and leaves no trace of off flavors. I would only do this with cobs, not with a good briar pipe, for the moment..............But I do believe that alcohol is a good method of thoroughly cleaning any pipe, whether it briar or corncob. Personal opinion of course......8b9f84bf661c7c85fa4e529af3d4abacd79d8513_hq.gif
 
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