My First Meer - Questions

[pruss]

Afternoon gang.
I was successful in winning an auction for an S. Yanik figural meerschaum pipe this week (I'll post pics when it arrives, for some reason I can't copy the pictures from the vendor's auction listing). I am stoked. I've wanted to add a meer to my collection for a long time, particularly a figural pipe. The price was just right on this one, so I pulled the trigger.
After reading through the articles on Meerschaum buying and care here, and around the web, I am left with a couple questions:
1) Seriously? Meers won't ghost? Truly? I was thinking about using my meer for my occasional aromatic smoke (I think I'm going to pick up some Boswell's Christmas cookie for the holidays this year) or sample.
2) How important is continued application of beeswax throughout my smoking career with this pipe. Debate seems to follow this question around with some folks advocating treating meers with kid gloves, reapplying beeswax after every smoke; while others keep regular maintenance to removing the cake after the pipe cools from each smoke.
I'd appreciate testimonials or advice from our 'brothers and sisters of the block' on this one.
Now to watch the mail box...
-- Pat

 

[smokeybear]

Ya thanks for posting this cause i was wondering the same about my Meer i dont even know how to clean it. All i know is that alcohol is a big nono.

 

[petes03]

Don't use alcohol for sure, unless you want a black meer! I only have one meer myself, and the only maintenance I do is to make sure no cake forms in the bowl, run pipe cleaners through the stem, and keep my hands clean when handling it. This seems to be working fine so far. I use mine for English and burley blends, so I can't really speak to the ghosting very much. It may take a little more time to color without applying more beeswax, but I'm ok with that. Mine is starting to color, slowly, but nicely.

 

[bentmike]

Congrats pruss on the S. Yanik. I'm sure its a stunning meer. Yes I was a little skeptical of the no ghost quality of meerschaum pipes but once I got one myself I found it to be true. I rotate Latakia English blends, Virginia and the occasional aromatic through my meers all the time. It really is amazing how you can't tell at all what the last smoke was.
As for cleaning and handling don't sweat it. I don't. No gloves or special treatment. I just use a pipe cleaner when done and wipe out the chamber with a paper towel. My Meerqueen is still looking very shiny but I noticed my Storient which has got to be close to a year old is looking kind of flat or a chalky look. I think its about time for a beeswax treatment. I was told about every 6 six months if the pipe is heavily smoked is about right for beeswax application.
For sure post up some pictures when you receive your new meer!

 

[treebarksap]

I use alcohol on my meerschaums. Haven't had a problem. They are block though, and I read somewhere that pressed is a different story. Anyway, I prefer semi-regular alcohol treatment for mine. They still colour just fine for me and aren't wearing out.

I also found that a little alcohol on a paper towel is a good combination for cleaning out the bowl after you've been smoking it for many months and reaming no longer gets rid of all of the residue.

I didn't use beeswax on mine for 6 months or so and they had just a little bit of colouring. I applied beeswax using a gas stove to warm the pipe and then the colouring "popped out". It was pretty significant and now it seems to be permanent and not just the beeswax. No idea how it happened, but it seemed to have drawn the tar and oils to the surface. So, I wouldn't go crazy with waxing. I only did it once, but after a few months, slap some on and see if you notice a huge change.

They're delicate pipes, but I think a lot of people really over hype just how delicate they are. I've dropped one of mine on concrete twice and nothing happened but a small dent that I buffed out with a kitchen scrubber. Those scrubbers that are green on one side and yellow on the other are perfect for restoring a meerschaum. People go into all of the various sandpapers, etc. but with this one tool and a little testing of force and speed will have it looking like glass in no time.

Smoke the crap out of it. In the end, if you need to hit re-set, and you probably won't, you can buff any dirt off and coat it with wax.

Meerschaum is very durable from my experience, but maybe I just got lucky.

Never noticed any ghosting when I've smoked Grousemoor and a virginia flake back to back. Was pretty surprised at that too.

 

[pylorns]

I remember watching a youtube video from a guy who has smoked meerschaums forever and his insight was great:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3Fnc9iFSNU

 

[batdemon]

My experience has been the same as what roth said. Never had a ghosting problem, never used beeswax, clean hands before lighting up. Have a couple of meers that I've had for 20+ years, never had a problem.

 

[pruss]

Thank you all for the sharing your experiences with meerschaum pipes with me. Man do I appreciate the insight that our little community brings to the table.
It sounds to me like common sense applies in handling meerschaum pipes. Have clean hands, don't rough-house with them, recognize that the material will bruise/break/chip, keep them clean. Enjoy them.
I can handle that. Now to find some aro's to play around with.
I had a note on Monday that my new pipe shipped from Turkey. So, crossing fingers, I hope it will arrive next week.
-- Pat

 

[pruss]

Here it is gang! My first Meer, courtesy of S. Yanik, a nice hand-carved figural of Turkish block.
I know it's not going to be everybody's cuppa... but I love it. I'll post one pic here, and the rest in the "Show off your Meer" thread to keep Smokeybear happy.

Here's the link to the "Show of your Meerschaum Pipe" thread: http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/show-off-your-meerschaum-pipe-here
Happy weekend,
-- Pat

 

[pruss]

Hey there folks.
Just a quick note to share some feedback on Sadik Yanik. I sent him an email yesterday afternoon with some questions on the beeswax coating he uses, and for some advice on handling the pipe. I am pleased to report that I received a friendly, clear, and concise response within 24hrs (and given that he's in Turkey and that I'm in Canada, that's not bad!), with an open invitation to contact him with any questions.
It's nice to add a good service story, to a wonderful smoker and an awesome new pipe.
Thanks,
-- Pat

 

[shaintiques]

I like it! I'm an owl fan and that just looks cool

 

[fitzy]

Beautiful pipe.

 

[pruss]

Thanks gents. She smokes FMC like a dream. For the first time that whisky note stayed through the entire bowl, top to VERY deep bottom.
-- Pat

 

[zonomo]

Boswell's Christmas cookie

You're going to love this stuff, just don't eat it. Yes, its that good. :mrgreen:

 

[auslander]

That's a very cool pipe.
A Meerschaum is on my list for future purchases.

 

[taerin]

Sweet jebus that pipe looks alive! That is a truly talented master carver.

 

[mso489]

That's about the best meer I've seen. The owl eyes, expression, and feathers really rise to a level. I'm steering

clear of meers, for fear I'll start a separate collection of them. I'm bad enough with briars (and cobs) as it is.