Pressed Meerschaum

[slrichman]

Is it a confirmed fact that pressed meerschaum will never, ever color? I have an inexpensive pressed meer pipe that smokes great and has a great bent-apple shape with a red lucite stemp. But having smoked it since April 2017, it has not turned at all. Is that the way it's gonna be?
Thanks for any assistance.
Sheldon

 

[warren]

Far as I know, the way pressed is constructed, not being porous, it can't.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Here's a test that may reveal something. Run hot tap water through the chamber. If there's color lurking beneath the surface, it will show a bit. As it dries, it'll return to its before-state.

 

[mikethompson]

I have a cultured Meerschaum (which is different than pressed or block), and it is certainly colouring. I'm not sure that helps you at all, but I'd thought I'd jump in.

 

[mso489]

Interesting post. As long as you know a pipe is pressed Meerschaum, and it not coloring is okay, and it smokes well, sounds all right to me. There's usually a significant price difference. I rarely see pressed Meerschaum mentioned, so I guess it is buyer beware? Are they often marketed as such?

 

[metalheadycigarguy]

Yes, pressed meerschaum pipes will color; however, not very well. It takes a long time. Since the pipes are held together with resin and the natural abilities of the pipe are limited; they won't color well.
Now if the pipe is cultured meerschaum the pipe will color and will color like a block meerschaum pipe. One of my favorite meerschaum pipes is a cultured meerschaum and it's got some nice color to it. So people don't mind pressed meerschaum pipes, but I definitely recommend block meerschaum pipes.

 

[slrichman]

I assume what I have a pressed. It was an embarrassingly low-cost (new) pipe I bought on eBay, under $10, shipping included. Yet it looks good and smokes well. I infer it is pressed because the underside has what looks like a seam -- it's not very obvious -- where the slightest bit of color has appeared. The rest is gleamingly white. Whatever it is, I enjoy smoking the bent apple. A little color, however, would be welcome.
I may try the hot tap-water test. Do I just fill the bowl and let it stand a bit?
Thanks for all the comments.

 

[jitterbugdude]

I'm still smoking the pressed meer my father bought for himself in 1972. It has several tons of tobacco smoked through it and not a hint of color.... yet.