Repairing Outer Shell of Meerschaum

[Rigidman]

I have a meerschaum that came in a lot. It has like a painted smooth shell. It was cracked and a piece feel off during shipping. The meer underneath looks fine. Only the shiny outer shell is all cracked. The shell is about 1/16"-1/8" thick. I'll try to get pictures up later today or tomorrow.

Now my question is, do I fill in the cracks and missing section, or do I remove the shell and try to recoat it, or do I remove the shell and leave it plain?

Anyone ever see anything like this? At first I thought it was a painted briar with a meer lining. I'm pretty sure its some sort of coating. Unless its a pressed meer or normal cracking due to drying out.

I searched reborn and couldn't find anything. If anyone knows an address, I'd appreciate it

Thanks

 

[Country Bladesmith]

I’d like to see pictures. I’ve never seen anything like that before.

 

[Mr.Pink]

Contact

Please use the form below to contact me via email. Thanks

rebornpipes.com

 

[mikethompson]

Do you mean it's a meer lined briar pipe?

 

[Rigidman]

I thought it was a painted pipe like a Kaywoodie or Grabow. But it's not. Under the shiny, paint? Is meerschaum. I always thought they were left in coated. I haven't tried to to clean it or anything until i get some info

 

[Rigidman]

 

[Rigidman]

Well here they are. What are the copper/brass things, Yes I have a butt load of stems. Supposed to all be ebonite but I don't know if ebonite has mold flashing? So I think some are plastic.

If I need more I'll just go to Vermont free hand? The pipe making website

 

[Rigidman]

I do have a couple other meers coming, one is an African meerschaum. Beautiful. At least the pictures were.

 

[Rigidman]

Doh!!! I posted the stems in wrong place. Was going to make a post about the pipes I've recently bought.

This is about the cracked up meer. Been looking at some other meers like this, regular pipe shaped, and they look coated as well. They're shiny like this one. I saw some others that did look flat. I have another on the way, can't remember if it's a Kaywoodie or Grabow.

Saw on rebornpipes they use chalk dust and egg whites to fill in cracks. Not sure if that'll work for this poor pipe. Maybe I'll get lucky and find a meer stummel. We'll see.

 

[Rigidman]

Contact

Please use the form below to contact me via email. Thanks

rebornpipes.com

I sent the email. I hope you can help. The bowl inside looks usable. Need to clean to be sure. Decided not to mess with it till I hear from you.

 

[warren]

The "shiny paint" is the manufacturer's protective coating. I'd suggest there is no restoring, short of "gluing" the breakage which will impair the coloring and probably won't be particularly sound structurally.

 

[Rigidman]

The "shiny paint" is the manufacturer's protective coating. I'd suggest there is no restoring, short of "gluing" the breakage which will impair the coloring and probably won't be particularly sound structurally.

Was afraid of that. I do have several others on the way. Even got lucky on a gourd calabash.

 

[Ahi Ka]

I’ve used plaster of Paris to successfully repair meer lined briar, but I’m not sure whether this would work for the shell or not

 

[Rigidman]

Here's 2 more.

 

[Ahi Ka]

In regards to copper/brass things, the way look like the ferrules that are used on cobs.

Pipe Ferrules – Missouri Meerschaum Corn Cob Pipes

The metal Pipe Ferrules (black metal rings) on Missouri Meerschaum corn cob pipes come in three specific sizes – #9, slim, and mini.

corncobpipe.com

 

[Ahi Ka]

Hey bulldog! Nice

 

[Rigidman]

The top one, the bulldog(?) Is African meer. I think it's beautiful. The stem needs work. Once they all arrive, I'll inspect them a lot closer. When they arrive I look for cracks that couldn't be seen in the pictures, I asked they said no cracks. Make sure the stem comes out. I shine a light down the shank and into the bowl.

Later, when I get ready to start cleaning and restoring, I'll break out the loupe to see the nomenclature, if any, cracks, micro cracks, etc.

Then I'll decide what gets cleaned, restored, saved for parts, or turn into briar dust. I'll do the cleaning first. Then clean and polish the stems. Then I'll start with the restorations by first cleaning them and inspecting the bowls.

 

[Rigidman]

In regards to copper/brass things, the way look like the ferrules that are used on cobs.

Pipe Ferrules – Missouri Meerschaum Corn Cob Pipes

The metal Pipe Ferrules (black metal rings) on Missouri Meerschaum corn cob pipes come in three specific sizes – #9, slim, and mini.

corncobpipe.com

Really?!?! Some are really big. I noticed on some of the pipes I have, they have the wrong stem. For the most part it's fine. But on others, it's like what were you thinking!?!?

 

[Rigidman]

In regards to copper/brass things, the way look like the ferrules that are used on cobs.

Pipe Ferrules – Missouri Meerschaum Corn Cob Pipes

The metal Pipe Ferrules (black metal rings) on Missouri Meerschaum corn cob pipes come in three specific sizes – #9, slim, and mini.

corncobpipe.com

On closer inspection, no, their something else. Not even sure if they're for pipes.

 

[Ahi Ka]

On closer inspection, no, their something else. Not even sure if they're for pipes.

What about rim caps?