Missouri Meerschaums vs. Everything Else

[futureman]

Whenever I return from a smoking hiatus, I rediscover a few things about my preferences:

1. I love uncomplicated tobaccos. OTCs and OTC-inspired blends are enduring favorites. I like flakes, but sometimes find myself wrestling with packing and sustaining a lit bowl over time.

2. Red Virginias torch my tongue. Aging and proper bowl pairing can mitigate bite, but I can't eliminate it completely.

3. To this point of this post: I can't duplicate the experience of smoking a quality OTC-type blend in a Missouri Meerschaum. Years ago, I inherited a very nice pipe collection from an uncle. Perhaps I have yet to master the art of bowl/baccy pairing, but the ease with which I can smoke a MM compared to everything else is oddly discouraging.

1 and 2 are realities to which I can happily submit; but after all these years, I'm still trying to enjoy a fuller range of pipes as much as a MM.

Thoughts? Advice?

 

[BROBS]

Not sure what you’re doing wrong

 

[futureman]

Not sure what you’re doing wrong

Me neither!

 

[BROBS]

Really though everyone prefers different things. Maybe that’s just your bag!

 

[Simmerdown☕️]

Nothing wrong with a preference for MMs. Many of us have the same affliction…myself included. ?️

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

MM have a wide open draw and are very forgiving to smoke. If they work for you, stick with them. Work on drying, packing and Smoking technique for the others.

Is also possible your uncle smoked blends that left a strong ghost that's not agreeing with you. Use one of the recommended methods for deep cleaning, then try them.

 

[warren]

Advice? Just enjoy your cobs. You don't have to conform to what others are doing.

 

[Windknot]

Speaking of MMs having a wide open draw. Any suggestion on how to break in this cherry wood beauty?

LOL,

 

[cigrmaster]

Here is some advice, don't go near red Virginia blends. I too get that acid burn the minute the smoke hits my tongue. I managed to build a cellar of around 38 flakes and plugs and the only one that has any reds is Solani 660 Silver flake. If I smoke a small bowl first of the day with it, I can enjoy it and my tongue doesn't feel like acid was brushed on it.

If you are ever in need of a list just let me know.

 

[futureman]

Is also possible your uncle smoked blends that left a strong ghost that's not agreeing with you. Use one of the recommended methods for deep cleaning, then try them.

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!

 

[mso489]

Don't shun contentment. Don't worry, be happy. If you know a good thing when you see it, more power to you.

 

[anotherbob]

One key thing to remember is cobs aren't cheap because they aren't good, it's because the material is a lot cheaper to harvest.

 

[Es0teric]

Have you ever tried a good quality block Meerschaum pipe?

 

[Sweet Home Alabama]

One key thing to remember is cobs aren't cheap because they aren't good, it's because the material is a lot cheaper to harvest.

And renewable on an annual basis.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Have you ever tried a good quality block Meerschaum pipe?

The wide open draw on an MM cob puts a meerschaum to shame.

 

[OzPiper]

he rarely, if ever, cleaned his pipes.

they would often yield an ashy flavor. Perhaps they deserve another round of deep cleaning!

Yup, definitely.

Ream out the cake and leave only a very thin layer.
Clean the bejeebus out of the shank, mortise and stem with shank brushes or bristle cleaners. Use alcohol-soaked brushes until they come out clean. This is THE most important step in deep cleaning any pipe (in my opinion).
Fill the bowl with salt or cotton balls and soak with a clear spirit or Everclear and leave overnight. Repeat if necessary.

The pipe should be ready to enjoy after that.
If it still doesn't do it for you, stick with cobs. ?

 

[AlanH]

Have you tried a new briar pipe?

 

[Es0teric]

The wide open draw on an MM cob puts a meerschaum to shame.

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.

 

[krizzose]

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!

In that case, you might want to ream out as much cake as you can.

and there’s nothing wrong with a good cob

 

[frozenchurchwarden]

Whenever I return from a smoking hiatus, I rediscover a few things about my preferences:

1. I love uncomplicated tobaccos. OTCs and OTC-inspired blends are enduring favorites. I like flakes, but sometimes find myself wrestling with packing and sustaining a lit bowl over time.

2. Red Virginias torch my tongue. Aging and proper bowl pairing can mitigate bite, but I can't eliminate it completely.

3. To this point of this post: I can't duplicate the experience of smoking a quality OTC-type blend in a Missouri Meerschaum. Years ago, I inherited a very nice pipe collection from an uncle. Perhaps I have yet to master the art of bowl/baccy pairing, but the ease with which I can smoke a MM compared to everything else is oddly discouraging.

1 and 2 are realities to which I can happily submit; but after all these years, I'm still trying to enjoy a fuller range of pipes as much as a MM.

Thoughts? Advice?

Missouri Meerschaum keeps a more open draw than almost any Briar manufacturer ever has, if you like the Cob then almost any Briar pipe you might have will probably need to be re-drilled to open the draw similarly.