I had used Walker for many years and he always did an excellent job. Any recommendations for someone with comparable quality and pride in their work? I have an antique GBD Meer that I would like cleaned up/restored. Thanks in advance
Recommendation for a Meer Repair Shop
- Thread starter ak2000
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@ashdigger has been posting Ryan Alden's excellent work on quite a few of his antique meers in recent months
It depends on what level of quality you're looking for. If you're looking for a flawless restoration, which means not only cleaning up the exterior, but addressing any structural flaws, and doing so in a manner that is invisible, that would be George Dibos, georged on the forum.
Next I would recommend Tim West at J H Lowe who did immaculate work for me on a WW2 era 8 Dot Sasieni that no one else would touch. Heck of a nice guy as well.
A lot of pipe smokers also recommend Rich Lewis at Lewis Pipe & Tobacco.
Next I would recommend Tim West at J H Lowe who did immaculate work for me on a WW2 era 8 Dot Sasieni that no one else would touch. Heck of a nice guy as well.
A lot of pipe smokers also recommend Rich Lewis at Lewis Pipe & Tobacco.
Avoid Briarville if you value your pipe.
I have actually used Briarville in the past a few times with good results. Since reading yours and others experience with them I won't again, which is the main reason I'm asking for recommendations.
Thanks all for the info so far!
Seems so hit or miss based on lots of different experiences that folks have. I had a great experience with Briarville fixing a century plus old screw in stem and making a new one for a little Meer and have seen the other side reported here as well and no doubt it wasn’t a good result for that member.
I reached out to Rich Lewis based on the recommendation here. When I was able to get him on the phone we had a nice conversation, he texted me his cell so I could send pics of what he needed to see, sent the pics - two weeks running now and heard nothing, lol. Fortunately, someone volunteered out of the blue to take on the project and I have no doubt it will turn out great so not worried if I ever get a response - communication seems to be a lost art for many in an age where it couldn’t be easier.
A carver’s error on a stem commission ended up costing me more money on a stem I recently had made - specified a length, she made it too long and ….:. charged per the extra length after discovering the mistake. It’s awesome and I figured she needed the money more than I apparently must, but left a bit of a bad taste with me. Still, I wouldn’t hesitate to work with her again, will just request a $50 discount, lol.
I reached out to Rich Lewis based on the recommendation here. When I was able to get him on the phone we had a nice conversation, he texted me his cell so I could send pics of what he needed to see, sent the pics - two weeks running now and heard nothing, lol. Fortunately, someone volunteered out of the blue to take on the project and I have no doubt it will turn out great so not worried if I ever get a response - communication seems to be a lost art for many in an age where it couldn’t be easier.
A carver’s error on a stem commission ended up costing me more money on a stem I recently had made - specified a length, she made it too long and ….:. charged per the extra length after discovering the mistake. It’s awesome and I figured she needed the money more than I apparently must, but left a bit of a bad taste with me. Still, I wouldn’t hesitate to work with her again, will just request a $50 discount, lol.
Sable said it well. What pipe is it, what is the value, what is the value to you. etc. In simple terms, there are 2 types of repairs, quick and back in rotation (often done thru a brick and morter or someone with a background doing work for a B&M) and the high quality repair where even, maybe, perhaps. most likely, better than the original. 
The unfortunate thing is George doesn't handle meerschaum pipes. There are several listed in the Pipe Repair section. I strongly advise you to determine whether the guy is a pipe repairman or a pipe refurbisher. A world of difference in the skills being brought to bear. Maybe @georged could chime in this.
The pipe is in good shape other than the stem being completely oxidized and a few minor bite marks. It's really more clean up/refurbish than repair.
I had a couple of repairs done by Mark Tinsky and I definitely do not recommend him. Actually, one of the repairs Tim West did for me was fixing a botched Mark Tinsky repair. And Tim knew it as soon as he saw the pipe, so it wasn't his first rodeo.
I’ve seen botched jobs by nearly all of the recognizable repairmen except for George D.
I've personally never had any problems with Mark's repairs and have probably sent him a half-dozen or so pipes over the years, including a Tom Spanu pipe which my wife found on the Goodwill auction site where the rim was completely rutted from charring. Mark did an outstanding job smoothing the rim out and staining it so that it looked almost new when I got it back--all for around $30.
Briarville specializes in meerschaum. Don't know what the negative issue was but I and @condorlover1 highly recommend them. If it's just stem oxidation though, that can easily be achieved at home.
There have been 2 Rik's at Briarville. The original Rik, lets call him Rik MK 1 had wonderful habit of blinging up antique meerschaum pipes with stems in the strangest color schemes - purples, one that looked like Xmas candy cane whilst another resembled the backside of a Jersey cow! The second Rik, let's call him Rik MK 2 is very good and doesn't let his modern art tastes intrude into antique meerschaum esthetics so you will get a pipe with the correct faux amber stem. I have also noticed he uses a 'tap' to thread his stems so they thread onto the bone tenons correctly. @Chasing Embers is correct in that we both highly recommend Briarville and I personally have never experienced any issues with Briarville and I know both Rik's very well.
Haha, you asked the original question and have now mentioned him - just message him and ask him.
Tim West is very good but he is always very backed up with work. If you can settle in for the wait he is very good with antique meerschaums but wait times can be 6+ months in my experience.
BTW I ended up sending the pipe to Tim West and he did an excellent job.